When an estimate is written remotely, the photos are the site visit. A consistent approach to photographing each property means fewer gaps in the scope and fewer follow-up questions.
Start outside
- Photograph the front of the property with the address visible, if possible.
- Take one photo of each elevation (front, rear, left, right) from far enough back to show the whole side.
- Add close-ups of roofing, siding, gutters, windows and any visible damage.
Then go room by room
Work through the property in the same order every time, so nothing is skipped. For each room:
- An overview photo from the doorway.
- A photo of each wall, turning in one direction.
- The ceiling and the floor.
- Close-ups of damage, finishes, fixtures and materials.
Show scale and materials
A tape measure in the frame helps show the size of damaged areas. Close-ups of flooring, trim, cabinets and fixtures help identify the right materials for each line item.
Label what you send
Rename photos by room or area, or group them into folders, before zipping them. A note listing rooms in order is just as useful.
Quick checklist
- Front of the property and every elevation
- Overview, each wall, ceiling and floor of every affected room
- Close-ups of damage and materials
- Something for scale in close-ups
- Photos labelled or grouped by room