What is the primary risk an electrical contractor faces when performing work beyond the original contract scope without first updating the written agreement?

Proceeding with additional electrical work based solely on a customer's verbal approval creates undocumented scope change risk, as the existing written contract still reflects the original price and scope.

Arrange the following events in the correct chronological order to illustrate how an electrical contractor experiences financial loss due to undocumented scope change risk.

Analyze the components of undocumented scope change risk. Match each element of the risk to its corresponding practical example in an electrical contracting business.

A fellow electrical contractor tells you they completed $3,500 in additional panel and circuit work after the homeowner verbally approved changes mid-job, but they never revised the original contract. The homeowner now refuses to pay for the extras, claiming they never agreed to the higher price. After evaluating this situation, you determine that the contractor's most critical mistake—the one that created the greatest financial and legal exposure—was proceeding without obtaining ____ authorization for the scope change.