Most contractor disputes come down to one question: what was the condition of the property before work started?
Without documentation, that question is unanswerable. With it, most disputes resolve immediately.
Here are the 10 things every contractor should document before starting any job — and why each one matters.
1. The Work Area in Full
Take a photo of the entire work area as you find it. The whole room, the whole section of roof, the whole yard. This establishes the baseline at the widest view. If a dispute comes up about anything in that space, this photo is the starting point.
2. Any Pre-Existing Damage Near the Work Area
Scratch on the baseboard near where you're running a new pipe? Crack in the tile next to the area you're patching? Scuff on the wall adjacent to the panel you're upgrading? Document every pre-existing condition in and around the work zone.
This is the #1 protection against claims that you caused damage that was already there.
3. The Specific Condition You Were Called In For
Before you touch anything, photograph the problem itself. The leak, the damaged shingles, the overgrown landscape, the broken appliance. This is your baseline for the repair scope.
4. Adjacent Surfaces and Structures
For any job that involves penetration, installation, or work near existing structures: photograph those structures before you start. A fence next to where you're digging. A vehicle in the driveway near where you're working. A landscaped area near the access route.
5. Access Points and Pathways
If you need to access a crawlspace, attic, or other constrained area, photograph the access point before and after. This documents the condition of the access and any surfaces you had to cross.
6. Existing Equipment or Materials Being Replaced
Before you remove and replace anything — a water heater, HVAC unit, door, or appliance — photograph the existing unit. Model number, condition, and installation configuration. This creates the record of what was there before your work.
7. Subgrade, Cavity, or Hidden Conditions Before Closing
Before you pour concrete, close drywall, or cover any hidden work: photograph the sub-grade, the cavity, the pipe inside the wall, the wiring behind the panel, the reinforcement before concrete. Once it's closed, these photos are the only record of what's inside.
8. Your Tools and Equipment Placement
For high-risk jobs (tree removal near structures, heavy equipment near driveways), document your tool and equipment placement before work begins. If something is damaged and you need to prove where your equipment was, this is the record.
9. The Condition of the Client's Property on Your Arrival
A general walkthrough photo of the driveway, landscaping, and exterior of the property on arrival documents the general condition. Useful if a client later claims general damage from your crew's presence.
10. Your Arrival Time and the Property Address
TimeFotos does this automatically — every photo has an embedded timestamp and GPS. But if you're not using TimeFotos, take a photo of something that establishes the time and location (like the street address number) at the start of every job.
How Long This Takes
With TimeFotos and the habit established: under 3 minutes per job. You create the job by entering the address, take a quick walk of the work area with photos, and then proceed with the work.
The photos are automatically timestamped, GPS-tagged, and organized under the job address. No labeling, no sorting, no extra steps.
Start documenting every job on TimeFotos →
The Bottom Line
Ten pre-work photos, taken consistently on every job, prevent the disputes that cost contractors hours, money, and reputation. The habit takes three minutes. The protection it provides is indefinite.