Contractor photo evidence for change orders
A change order sticks when the file reads like a story: what you found, why it was not in the original scope, and what it will take to fix it. Photos are the spine; captions, tags, and short voice notes are the narration.
Minimum viable evidence set
- Context: where on the site and which assembly.
- Condition: rot, buried lines, out-of-spec work, failed flashing.
- Measurement: when numbers matter, show the tape or level in frame.
- Recommended correction: even a rough description helps align price and scope.
Tags that keep bundles readable months later
Consistent labels beat clever ones. Examples: Before, During, After, Issue, Completed, RFI. Pick a small set and reuse them so exports sort into a coherent timeline for owners and PMs.
Quick answers
What photos help justify a change order?
Use wide shots for context, medium shots that show the affected assembly, and close-ups of the defect or hidden condition. Pair each set with a dated caption, tags like Issue or Completed, and a short voice note explaining scope impact and what you recommend next.
Why add voice notes next to change-order photos?
Voice preserves tone, sequence, and field nuance that captions alone lose, especially when you are one-handed on a ladder. Later transcription (where offered) can turn those clips into searchable text without replacing the original audio.
How should contractors send change-order packages?
Export a curated zip of selected items with a readable index so the recipient can open photos and notes on any computer. Email remains common; use whatever channel your contract or GC expects, but keep one authoritative bundle per change event.
Job Site Records is built for capture now and export when you are ready.
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