According to www.legalcity.net
variation order is:
An instruction that an architect gives to the builder concerning any variations to the
original building contract. If, for example, a contract to build a room to the amount of
R50000 were drawn up and the homeowner decided to substitute alumin-ium windows for the
wooden ones specified in the contract, the architect would issue a variation order,
instructing the building contractor to change the windows and to alter the amount
specified in the contract accordingly.
Variation orders are also made by the courts. For example, a court may order a
reduction or increase in the maintenance payable to a divorced spouse, or vary any other
court order when a good cause for the change has been shown.
The change order is the result of altering the original order and became the bounding agreement after both parties agree upon it.