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What to photograph on a handyman job: each fix, from problem to finish
A handyman visit is rarely one job. It is a list: a leaking faucet, a sticking door, a loose rail, a hole in drywall. By the end, the customer sees a house that works, and has forgotten which things were broken.
One photo per problem before, one per fix after, and a few of the work no one will see again is enough to turn a list of small jobs into a clear picture of what you did and what it was worth.
Before you start
- Go through the list with the customer and photograph each item before you start on it.
- Use your phone's date and time. They are what make the photo a record.
- Photograph the area around each job too: the floor, the wall, the cabinet. It records what was already there.
- Carry a way to light a dark space. A cabinet under a sink or an attic hatch needs it.
The shot list
10 photos, in the order to take them. For each one: what to shoot, how to frame it, and why it is worth the few seconds.
Each problem, before you touch it
- The problem, wide and close
How: Wide shot to place it in the room, close shot to show the fault, such as the drip, the gap or the crack.
Why: It records exactly what was wrong, in the customer's own house.
- The area around it
How: The floor, the wall, the cabinet, the surface you will work over.
Why: It records existing damage, so a stain or a scratch is not yours.
- Labels, model numbers and parts
How: Close up of a faucet label, a hinge, a fixture, or the part you are replacing.
Why: It helps with ordering, warranty and the next visit.
- Any safety issue you notice
How: Exposed wiring, rot, water damage or a loose railing.
Why: It records that you flagged it, and supports advice to call a specialist.
The hidden work
- What is behind the wall, under the sink or above the ceiling
How: Before it is closed up: pipes, studs, wiring, blocking, insulation.
Why: It is proof of work that nobody will ever see again.
- Repairs mid-way
How: The new part in place, before the cover goes on.
Why: It shows what was done and with what.
- Anything unexpected
How: Rot, mold, pests, old repairs, non-standard work.
Why: It supports a change in price or scope.
The finished fix
- Each problem from the same angle as the before
How: Same distance, same lighting, the fix working if you can show it, such as the faucet dry and the door closed.
Why: The pair is the report.
- Patching, caulking and paint touch-ups
How: Close up of the finished surface.
Why: It shows a clean finish, which is what makes a small job look professional.
- Cleanup
How: The floor and the work area after you are done.
Why: It shows you left the room as you found it.
Get the angle and the light right
- A wide shot and a close shot of each job covers scale and detail.
- Light a dark space with a work light, not the flash, so you can see texture and shape.
- Hold the phone at the same height and distance for the after.
- Keep your tools and materials out of the after shot.
Mistakes that make the result look smaller
- Photographing the finished job only.
- Skipping the hidden work, which is the part the customer cannot see.
- Not recording existing damage before you start.
- Forgetting to photograph a safety issue you pointed out.
When it is not a standard job
Many small jobs in one visit
Keep the photos in the order of the list and caption each pair, such as "Kitchen faucet replaced" and "Bedroom door adjusted". The report doubles as an itemized invoice.
A job you decline or hand off
Photograph the problem, note why you are not doing it, and send it with your recommendation. It shows you looked, and it earns trust.
A repeat customer
Keep the last visit's photos with the job. A report from last time reminds the customer what you handled and what you recommended.
Printable checklist: handyman
Tick each one before and after.
- The problem, wide and close
- The area around it
- Labels, model numbers and parts
- Any safety issue you notice
- What is behind the wall, under the sink or above the ceiling
- Repairs mid-way
- Anything unexpected
- Each problem from the same angle as the before
- Patching, caulking and paint touch-ups
- Cleanup
photoluego.com/guides/handyman-photo-checklist
From photos to proof
A folder of photos is not a report. Photo Luego for handymen lines up each before and after shot with a ghost of the first photo, pairs them for you, and turns the best pairs into a report with your logo, your review links and a pay button. It works in your phone's browser, and it has an always-free plan. New to it? Start with Getting started, then see how to send a report.
Questions
How many photos do I need for a handyman visit?
Two per job at the minimum: the problem before, and the fix after. Add one or two of any hidden work. For a day of ten small jobs, that is about thirty photos.
Should I photograph work behind a wall?
Yes. Before it is closed up, photograph pipes, wiring, blocking and anything you changed. It is proof of work that cannot be checked later.
Can the report double as an invoice?
It is not an invoice, but a list of captions under each pair makes a good attachment to one. It helps the customer see what each line is for.
General advice, not legal advice. Rules about photographing people and property vary by place, so check yours.