Photo Documentation For Construction: What It Is & Why You Need It
When it comes to managing a construction job, you have a lot to do over a short period of time. Photo documentation can help save time, money, and resources - but what is photo documentation? Discover what it is, what it isn’t, and why you need it.
Congratulations!
After what feels like years of prepping, your company has finally been awarded that new project and now it’s time to get the ball rolling by setting start dates with the awarding agency.
With countless moving parts, it’s vital that nothing fall through the cracks or be forgotten. After all, it’s the reputation and future of your construction company on the line here. And when you consider that only about 36% of construction companies make it past year five of being in business, there’s virtually zero room for error.
Unfortunately, one item that can easily fall by the wayside and slip through the cracks of project preparation is photo documentation. It’s an often-times overlooked aspect of new jobs because it’s just a minor item...or is it?
Let’s take a closer look at what photo documentation is, what it isn’t, and why it matters.
What is Photo documentation?
Quite frankly, photo documentation is exactly what it sounds like - the use of high quality photos to document work that’s been accomplished on a project or job site.
For example, an excavation company may utilize photo documentation at a construction site for progress reports, or to keep key out-of-state investors up-to-date on how construction is progressing (or not progressing).
Another contractor may use photo documentation at a project to confirm early morning deliveries. Photo documentation also helps to verify that proper safety procedures are in place and materials are properly positioned at the job site.
Yet another contractor may use photo documentation to avoid liability should damage occur at the job site, or to document inspector site visits and approvals.
Hopefully you see a pattern here: photo documentation is a definitive way to document work that’s been accomplished at a job, in any way, shape, or form.
What Photo documentation IS NOT…
Let’s take a quick look at what photo documentation is not.
Photo documentation is not Big Brother. At the end of the day, the only ones viewing your photo documentation images and videos are you and your team, not Uncle Sam.
Effective photo documentation is not random. Photos need to be taken of specific project milestones or, even better, automatically throughout the project. You never know when today is the day that you’ll need to look back on to show what happened.
Additionally, legitimate photo documentation solutions are not an unorganized shoebox (or phone) full of snapshots that make no sense. Instead, proper photo documentation solutions provide a simple-to-navigate interface, easy access to photos by date and time, and sometimes, even time-lapse features!
And forget what you’ve learned about cameras from Hollywood. Photo documentation does not require million-dollar, military-grade cameras. The best solutions are dependable, affordable, professional grade cameras that keep you and your team updated on your project. CSI-style surveillance cameras with facial recognition, enhancement software and night vision (if they even exist) would break the budget of any construction project.
Why you need photo documentation at next your job site
Just about everyone knows the saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words.”
When it comes to construction projects though, a picture is worth even more -- in dollars.
Photo documentation of a job site provides benefits such as:
- Indisputable visual evidence for fast dispute resolution
- Assurance that proper safety measures are in place and being followed
- Verification of material deliveries
- Confirmation of subcontractor work and deliverables
- Improved communication, keeping investors, contractors, subs and inspectors all on the same page
- Real-time collaboration with key team members on projects, regardless of where your team is located
- Reduced job site visits, saving time and money
- An overall decrease in illegal dumping and job site theft
- The peace-of-mind of knowing that you have a permanent visual record of the ENTIRE project from start to finish (ideally in crystal clear 4K resolution)
- Compelling marketing collateral on your website, social channels, and at trade shows
With all of these benefits, why would you consider leaving your job site exposed to liability by NOT having a photo documentation solution ready for your next project?
It all comes down to the numbers…
Instead of leaving your next job site exposed to liability, take a few moments before your next project starts to find a photo documentation solution that’s right for you (or delegate it to a team member; that’s why you’re the boss!). You may be surprised at how affordable - and easy - photo documentation can be.
With a variety of photo documentation camera options available, we’re more than happy to discuss the benefits of proper photo documentation with you and why it’s a good idea for your next project. We even have affordable rental options available to help fit every project and budget scope!
Request a live demo with our team here.
Remember, if you’re not documenting your job site, you’re leaving yourself exposed to liability. Stay protected on the job with iBEAM Construction Cameras.
Doing the right thing, for every client, every time.
Vicki Robertson
Vice President