Most contractors who lose payment disputes lose for one of five reasons. Each is preventable.
1. No Pre-Work Photos
The client claims you damaged something. You have no photos of the condition when you arrived. The adjudicator or bank sides with the client because you can't disprove the claim.
Fix: Take pre-work photos of all areas before any work begins, on every job.
2. No Written Scope
The client says "that wasn't what we agreed to." You have a verbal agreement. They have a different memory. No contract = he-said-she-said.
Fix: Send a written estimate with line-item scope before work begins. Get approval in writing.
3. No Invoice or Late Invoice
You did the work but didn't send a proper invoice, or sent it months later. The client's card dispute says "services not rendered" and you can't quickly counter with documentation.
Fix: Invoice on completion or per agreed milestones. Tie the invoice to the job with supporting photos.
4. Missing Completion Proof
You completed the work but have no photos showing it's done. The client disputes and you can't show the condition of the work when you left.
Fix: Completion photos on every job, timestamped.
5. No Timestamped Evidence
You have photos, but they're undated phone camera screenshots. Dates are disputed and the evidence is weakened.
Fix: Use an app with automatic timestamps embedded in every photo. TimeFotos does this by default.
Bottom Line
Written scope + pre-work photos + completion photos + timestamped evidence = disputes you can win.