Useful condition photos show location as well as detail.
A close-up of a scratch proves little if nobody can tell which door, wall, or floor it belongs to. Photograph the route from wide view to detail.
Complete the record after belongings are moved as agreed and before protection, demolition, or deliveries begin. Follow privacy, tenancy, condominium, and building rules. Do not photograph people, personal documents, screens, access codes, or private possessions unnecessarily.
1. Set up the record
Record project, address or unit, date, photographer, areas included, areas unavailable, and who received the file. Keep the original files and avoid filters. Turn on automatic time information if appropriate, but do not rely on it as the only record.
| Photo level | What to capture | Example name |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | Whole room or corridor | 01-kitchen-overview-east |
| Context | Wall, doorway, or floor zone | 02-kitchen-sink-wall |
| Detail | Existing mark or fitting | 03-kitchen-baseboard-chip |
2. Start outside the work area
Photograph the permitted entrance, loading or parking area, lobby, elevator, stair, corridor, door frames, thresholds, and turns used for material movement. Include common-area finishes and protection-sensitive corners where building approval permits photography.
3. Use the same room sequence
- Stand at each doorway and photograph all four directions.
- Capture ceiling, walls, trim, doors, windows, floors, transitions, and fixed cabinetry.
- Record visible cracks, stains, chips, loose areas, previous patches, and uneven finishes.
- Photograph accessible plumbing fixtures, grilles, switches, receptacles, controls, and appliance connections.
- Include model, serial, colour, lot, paint, or product labels when relevant and safe to access.
- Record adjacent rooms and the opposite side of walls affected by planned work.
4. Document services without opening hazards
Photograph visible shutoffs, panels, thermostats, access panels, detectors, and labels only when authorized. Do not remove covers, enter restricted service rooms, or touch equipment to obtain a photo. Qualified people should handle hazardous or regulated conditions.
5. Pair images with short notes
Use neutral language: exact location, visible condition, photo number, and whether the item is inside or outside the planned scope. Avoid guessing at causes. If a condition needs investigation, create a separate action item.
6. Repeat the record at milestones
Repeat representative angles after protection, after concealed work is exposed when appropriate, before it is covered, and at completion. Preserve originals in a restricted project folder and share only with authorized participants.
Pair this checklist with the daily progress log and punch-list checklist for a clearer visual project history.