Change orders can be classified as:

Change orders can indeed be classified as an example of contract modifications. In construction and project management, a change order formally alters the original contract terms to accommodate adjustments in the project scope, schedule, or pricing. These modifications are essential to ensure that both parties are in agreement regarding any changes that occur after the original contract has been executed.

Change orders typically document changes resulting from unforeseen conditions, design alterations, or other factors that could not have been anticipated when the original contract was drafted. By treating change orders as modifications to the existing contract, the legal and binding nature of the original agreement remains intact while allowing for necessary adjustments to be made appropriately and officially.

The other classifications, such as a separate legal agreement or verbal agreements, do not accurately capture the essence of what change orders represent. Similarly, while they may involve accounting for project changes, this does not encompass the contractual implications that come with formally modifying an existing contract.