MODULE 1: DOCUMENTATION FUNDAMENTALS

Photo Documentation

Lesson 1.4 - The Billing Blueprint

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The Billing Blueprint

Photos Are Visual Evidence

Photos prove the damage existed
and prove the work was performed.

Dark, blurry photos

"This doesn't look that bad"

= Reduced claims

Clear, well-lit photos

Shows true extent of damage

= Full payment

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The Billing Blueprint

Four Phases of Photo Documentation

PHASE 1

Initial Photos

Before any work
Document damage as found
Establishes baseline

PHASE 2

Process Photos

During work
Equipment placement
Proves work happened

PHASE 3

Completion Photos

Job finished
Final moisture readings
Proves job is done

PHASE 4

Disposal Photos

Often overlooked
Materials removed
Proves disposal

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The Billing Blueprint

Phase 1: Initial Photos

Wide shots of each affected room from multiple angles
Close-ups of visible water damage, staining, swelling
Water source - broken pipe, failed appliance, etc.
Moisture meter readings with meter visible in frame
Affected contents if applicable

                Initial photos establish your baseline and prove how bad things were when you started.
            

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The Billing Blueprint

Phase 2: Process Photos

Equipment placement - every air mover and dehumidifier in position
Demolition progress - materials being cut, removed, bagged
Hidden damage that wasn't visible initially
Your technicians actually working (proves labor performed)

Process photos prove the work happened. Real people performed real services.

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The Billing Blueprint

Phase 3 & 4: Completion & Disposal

Completion Photos

Final moisture readings showing dry standard
Clean dried space ready for reconstruction
Wide shots of completed work area

Disposal Photos

Materials bagged or piled for removal
Truck/trailer loaded with debris
Dump site or dumpster
Weight tickets if available

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The Billing Blueprint

How to Take Good Photos

Lighting

Use flash, work lights, all room lights

Dark photos hide damage
Bright photos reveal damage

Angles

Get low to show water on floors
Get close for saturation detail
Get wide for full scope

Framing & Context

Include reference points that show scale
Moisture meter in frame shows reading • Tape measure shows dimensions • Door/window shows location

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The Billing Blueprint

The 200+ Photo Rule

Take 200+ photos per job.

Storage is free. Your phone has plenty of space.
There is no downside to taking too many photos.

            But there IS a massive downside to not having the one photo you need.

            That one shot of the saturated subfloor? Could cost you thousands.

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The Billing Blueprint

Photo Insurance for Your Invoice

Think of photos as insurance for your invoice.

Every photo is a potential answer
to a potential question.

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The Billing Blueprint

Photo Organization

Create a folder for each job
Create subfolders for each phase: Initial, Process, Completion, Disposal
Move photos into appropriate subfolder as you take them
Name photos descriptively when possible

IMG_4723.jpg

Kitchen_north_wall_initial_42pct.jpg

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The Billing Blueprint

Train Your Team

Train everyone on your team to take photos
the same way.

            If you have techs who take dark, blurry photos with no context,

            they're costing you money.

            Photo quality should be part of your training and QC process.

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The Billing Blueprint

Your Photo Checklist

In the resources section, you'll find a
photo checklist
you can reference on every job.

Print it out. Keep it in your truck.
Use it until comprehensive photos become automatic.

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The Billing Blueprint

Coming Up Next

Lesson 1.5: Initial Assessments

The systematic approach to initial assessments
Water categories and why they matter for billing
Equipment calculation based on square footage

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The Billing Blueprint

MODULE 1: DOCUMENTATION FUNDAMENTALS

End of Lesson 1.4

Photo Documentation

See you in the next lesson!

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The Billing Blueprint