Manifold is a field documentation app that captures before and after photos automatically for contractors. Every photo is GPS-tagged and timestamped as it’s taken, sorted to the correct project without manual filing, and exportable as a branded PDF report. It works offline on iOS and Android and starts at $16/user/month with no seat minimums.
This guide covers why before and after documentation matters, what to capture at each stage, and how different trades use it in practice.
Why before and after documentation matters
Before photos establish the condition of a property before your crew touches anything. After photos prove what was done and what it looked like at completion. Together they answer the two questions at the centre of almost every contractor dispute: what was there before, and what did your crew do?
A GPS-tagged, timestamped before photo is the single most effective protection against a client claiming your crew damaged something that was pre-existing. Without it, the dispute becomes your word against theirs. With it, the dispute resolves immediately.
What to capture before work starts
- Overall views of the work area from multiple angles
- Any pre-existing damage, wear, or issues — even things unrelated to your scope
- Adjacent surfaces that could be affected by the work
- Access points, pathways, landscaping that your crew will pass through
- Existing fixtures, fittings, or materials that are staying in place
What to capture after completion
- The same angles as the before shots — direct before/after comparison
- Detail shots of completed work at key locations
- Any areas that were repaired or replaced
- Final condition of adjacent surfaces confirming no new damage
How different trades use before and after documentation
- Roofing contractors document pre-existing damage before work starts — missing shingles, previous repairs, soft spots — to protect against post-job damage claims.
- Renovation contractors photograph every surface in every room to be worked on before demo starts, establishing a complete baseline record.
- Landscape contractors document hardscape, irrigation, and existing plantings before site work begins — the most common source of residential contractor disputes.
- Bathroom remodeling contractors document existing tile, fixtures, and adjacent surfaces before demo, then photograph waterproofing before tile is set.
- Concrete and coating contractors photograph the prepared substrate before primer application — the primary protection against delamination claims.
- Decking contractors document the existing structure before demolition, capturing rot, footing condition, and ledger attachment that may become hidden once work starts.
- Painting contractors photograph all surfaces and adjacent areas before prep starts, and document prep stages before paint is applied.
- Garage door contractors photograph the existing opening and hardware before installation — protecting against frame damage claims.
Pricing
Photo plan — $16/user/month: GPS photo timelines, before and after documentation, checklists, punch lists, PDF reports, client sharing. No seat minimums.
Photo+Scan plan — $24/user/month: Everything in Photo plus Orbit Measure 3D scanning.
Start your free trial or book a 15-minute demo.
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