MySmartPlans was created to ensure accountability and transparency during the acquisition, planning, execution, and data turnover to facilities management to eliminate unwarranted change orders.

“Change order” is the industry term for an amendment to a construction contract that changes the contractor’s scope of work. Most change orders modify the work required by contract documents (which, in turn, usually increases the contract price) and/ or adjust the amount of time the contractor has to complete the work. For there to be a valid change order, the owner and contractor must both agree on all terms. The owner doesn’t always get the full picture, and unknowingly allows the change order game to start.

My name is Dominick Armato, I am a Co‐Founder of MySmartPlans, along with Shelley Armato. I was one of the largest subcontractors in Kansas City, for 45 years, and I used to be part of the Change Order Game. It is a game that the general contractors use to finger‐point blame for change orders on a construction project. Usually, they point the finger at the design team or owner as the responsible party.

It has been my experience that change orders are used so an underperforming contractor can finish their scope without going out of business. Change Orders are used to save the general contractor from finishing their scope with their fee or bonding company. The contractor makes money on top of every dollar being paid a fee, so eagerly wants more money for their bottom line.

MySmartPlans is a third‐party gatekeeper of project information that allows the stakeholders to view pre-audited information and gives the complete picture if a modification is warranted for additional money. Our history of 16 years has stopped numerous unwarranted change orders!

Change Order Games that MySmartPlans has Stopped:

• Manipulation of meeting minutes to support their argument for more money, we stop this by sitting in on meetings and immediately posting the minutes.

• Weather delays were not warranted because we monitor and archive the weather at the site, 24 hours, every day.

• Scheduling manipulation that would increase more general conditions to support a change for the contractor to do more work.

• Contractors saying that they did not receive the information, but MySmartPlans dates and time stamps when information was sent. Also shows when a contractor doesn’t view documentation.

Know that having an organized, audited, and vetted tool will make your project run smoothly and avoid litigation or arbitration.

Dominick Armato, President

MySmartPlans

[email protected]