Stop and ask
You haven’t touched the extra yet. That’s the point.
Hi Alex — I found rot under the sill. I haven’t touched it. Extra would be about $120. Say yes or no before I go further.
Extra work found — get approval before the scope changes
You found more than they booked. Stop. Tell them the extra and the number. Don’t do it until they say yes. Extra-work text asks permission before the bill grows.
Name what you found and the extra amount before you continue.
When to use this
- You found more than they booked — stop and ask.
- Don’t silently expand scope.
- Give a rough add-on cost/time if you can.
- Different from Estimate vs final (after the fact).
- Also on this page: need your approval to continue.
Not in what we booked
Give them a stop option, not only a bigger bill.
The job we booked doesn’t cover this. There’s a cracked pipe behind the panel. I can stop here, or I can fix it today for $90. Your call.
Finish as-is or add work
Cosmetic extra. Easy to skip if they don’t want it.
Before I keep going: the closet walls need a skim coat if you want them to match. That’s extra time and materials. Want me to do it, or leave it as-is?
Wait for a yes
Hard stop.
Hi Alex — found water damage under the sink beyond what we booked. I can fix it for about $180 / extra hour, or leave it and write it up. Want me to proceed?
Defer to another day
Keep today’s scope.
There’s more rotten trim than expected. I’ll finish today’s list and come back for the extra on a separate quote if you want.
Need your approval to continue
The short decision-gate versions: what you found, roughly what it costs, and a clear yes or no before you spend more time or money.
Found issue — need yes/no
Short hold with a clear ask.
Hi Jordan — I found something that wasn’t in the original scope. I can fix it while I’m here, but I need your okay first. Want me to proceed or leave it for another time?
Rough cost attached
You have a number.
Quick update: to do this right I need to add [X]. About $[amount] / roughly [time]. Reply YES to approve and I’ll continue, or NO and I’ll wrap what we already agreed.
Pause until you reply
Emphasize you’re not guessing.
Hi — I’m paused on this until I hear from you. No extra work without your approval. Text me when you can.
Photo + ask
Show the issue, ask once.
Sending a photo of what I found. I recommend fixing it now. Approve and I’ll do it today, or say hold and we’ll schedule separately.
Got your yes — continuing
Acknowledge approval.
Thanks — got your approval. Continuing now and I’ll update you when it’s done.
How to send it
Copy one message, swap in the real name and time, and send from your own phone or email. Keep it to a few sentences. If they need a different topic, use a Related link below instead of mixing two subjects in one text.