Must Have Construction Photographs

Fifty Must Have Photographs

One day, I received a phone call from a homeowner who was frantic. It seems that water was leaking into her basement. I indicated that I could come right over. Upon my arrival, I determined the cause of the leak within a few minutes. Apparently the homeowner was hanging a picture on a wall. The nail they used punctured a water line leading to the second floor bathroom. The repair was simple. It could have been avoided had the homeowner been able to view photographs of what was behind the drywall.

The Facts

Do you know someone who has been involved in a dispute with a contractor? I do. This individual was awarded $5,000.00 in an arbitration dispute based on one photograph. Now that was a valuable photo! Cameras don't lie, people do. The arbitrator believed what he saw in the photograph.

Establishing an entire set of construction photographs is important. Early in a job, you may catch something on film that may turn out to be extremely important at a later date. Remember, no one plans to square off with their contractor in a dispute. Having the facts on film may be your saving grace.

Improved Versatility

Still photography works fine for certain things. However, sometimes you need an instant photo. Instant photography has come a long way. The quality of the images and the cameras themselves are really quite good. Instant photos allow you to verify that you did, in fact, get the shot. This can be very important for things that are in the process of being covered or buried.

Video cameras have even greater powers. You can couple a verbal description or sound of the shot with the moving picture. Zoom lenses allow for detailed closeup images. Construction activity comes to life on video tape. Saws, drills, backhoes, and any other mechanical device creates construction noise that will bring back memories when you play back the video.

Still photos with a conventional camera offer you the best opportunity to get crisp shots. Often you may need a closeup shot of a trim molding detail. Or, you may want a crisp photo of a chimney under construction. Instant photos and video shots are sometimes fuzzy. Use conventional photography for those really important photos.

Before & After Shots

It is always a delight to compare before shots and after shots of a project. All too often, however, people forget to take the before shots. Remember, these shots can't be reproduced! Once demolition commences, you are out of luck.

I always recommend that you take the before shots a week in advance of the start up of a job. Get these photos developed to insure that you are pleased with the lighting, focus, etc. Take photos from different angles. That single photo you see in a magazine may have been selected from over 15 or 20 shots! Don't be miserly with the film.

Using A Scale

If you are taking a closeup shot of an object, wall, etc., always use something in the photo to denote the size of what you are shooting. A coin, a ruler, yardstick, or some other common standard sized object will work well. I learned this trick in my geology classes. We always had to have a scale in the photo. If not, the photo got an instant "F".

The scale in the photograph allows you or an independent third party to accurately determine the size of what you are shooting. This can really be useful if photographing cracks, holes, or other defects.

Establish A Routine

The trick to successful construction photography is establishing a shooting routine. Take your cameras to the jobsite daily. Photograph as much activity as you can each day. Remember, a photo may reveal an important clue to a problem that develops years from now.

Consider using a camera that imprints the date and time on your film. These cameras will establish a time frame of job progress. This can be used to recreate a diary of daily or weekly activity.

Be sure to photograph every wall of the house just before it is insulated or covered with drywall or paneling. You want to know what is behind every wall. Trust me, it may save you from making an embarrassing call to a plumber.

50 Construction Photos Every Homeowner Should Have

The following list is a basis for your construction photography album. In actuality, I would like to see you have 200 or more photos of a job. Create a budget of $100 for photographing your next project. This will buy at least 300 photos at my local film developer. This investment will pay off at a later date. I guarantee it!

1. Get a shot of footer form work before it is poured. This photo should show the thickness of the footer, and the steel rods which are a must!

2. Shoot the footer after the forms are stripped. You can see the keyway in the top of the footer and any honeycombing on the sides.
3. Try to get a shot of the foundation as it being constructed. Look for steel rods in the forms. Look for steel in concrete block work.
4. Shoot the drain tile in various stages of installation.
5. Shoot the foundation waterproofing.
6. Get a shot of utility trenches. Include permanent landmarks to help locate trenches at a future date. Shoot quality of backfill. Note rocks in fill.
7. Shoot closeup of mud sill treated lumber and sealer material on top of foundation.
8. Shoot anchor bolts with nuts securely tightened.
9. Take shoots of rough framing as house is built. Get closeups of typical joist hanger installations.
10. Shoot photos of structural headers over windows and doors.
11. Shoot photos of any and all structural connectors such as hold down anchors, hurricane clips, etc. Be sure to get closeups of nail heads.
12. Shoot installation of vapor barriers beneath concrete work.
13. Shoot photos of concrete finishers, especially if they are sprinkling water on a slab while they are finishing it! This photo(s) could be worth thousands or a new driveway, take your pick!
14. Shoot pictures of all plumbing piping that will be covered by gravel or concrete. You need to know the layout of the pipes!
15. Photograph all rough plumbing after it is completed.
16. Photograph the wood ceilings and attic spaces. This will show bridging and truss bracing.
17. Shoot all exterior downspout drain pipes. Shoot the trenches before the pipes are covered.
18. Shoot all electric wire locations before insulation or drywall is installed.
19. Photograph all other mechanical, electrical, etc. installations which will be covered.
20. Shoot location of exterior underground wiring to post lamps or any other exterior fixture.
21. Shoot inside photos of windows after installation. Note shims and nail locations.
22. Shoot inside photos of exterior doors after installation. Note shims, nails, and presence of under door caulk or flashing.
23. Shoot exterior before covering with brick or siding. Is air/water barrier in place? Is it taped properly?
24. Shoot brick or stone as it is first laid.
25. Get closeup shots of brick or stone flashings. Especially at corners and overlapping joints.
26. Get a shot of mortar droppings behind first courses of brick or stone.
27. Verify that masonry weep holes are NOT clogged.
28. Shoot installation / spacing of brick & stone wall ties.
29. Shoot numerous photos of chimney/fireplace construction.
30. Photograph drywall BEFORE it is finished. Note number of nails/screws in each panel. Do walls and ceilings. Get a typical shot.
31. Shoot the wood subfloor. Note nailing pattern.
32. Shoot underside of wood floors. Look for nails that missed joists.
33. Shoot insulation in walls.
34. Get close up shots of insulation around windows and doors.
35. Shoot vapor barrier installation.
36. Photograph exterior painting process. Was trim wood & siding backprimed?
37. Shoot driveway installation. Verify thickness of concrete or blacktop. Note steel or gravel thickness.
38. Shoot photos of all wood blocking locations in bathrooms before drywall is installed. Blocks are for towel bars, TP holders, etc. They provide a solid area for fixture attachment.
39. Shoot close ups of can or bottle labels of important products. May need this info at a later date.
40. Shoot roof felt installation.
41. Shoot shingle installation for pattern purposes.
42. Shoot chimney and wall flashings.
43. Shoot ceramic tile installation.
44. Get photos of storage of materials on site. How is lumber covered / elevated off ground?
45. Shoot photos of mortar bags. Need brand for matching purposes at a later date.
46. Shoot brick labels on cubes. See above!
47. Shoot weekly progress photos of job. Try to shoot from same vantage point.
48. Shoot anything that you know will be hidden or covered by any building material.
49. Photograph landscaping process at foundation.
50. Photograph Happy Completion Party! (I hope!)

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