Scope creep is when changes or additions are requested or made to an existing project, which have not been included in the initial agreement between the contractor and client. This can be anything from minor changes such as requesting a different paint color, to major alterations such as adding additional rooms or extending the size of existing rooms. Scope creep can lead to increased costs and delays in the schedule, as well as potentially causing tension between the contractor and client due to disagreements over what was agreed upon initially.

Scope creep can be minimized or prevented when the client provides clear specifications of what they want prior to signing a contract, and the contractor sets clear expectations on what will be delivered. In situations where scope changes do occur during a project, both parties often turn to change orders and come up with mutually agreeable solution without sacrificing their individual interests or the quality of the final product.