Monday, January 18, 2016

Why You Need to Take Pictures of Your Construction Project

Working with a property under contract a few years ago I was on site when the lawn crew arrived to mow.  With 1st look I knew they were my type of company, well worn truck, trailer, and the person in charge had boots matching truck & trailer.  In addition, Mr. Magic Boots did something quite smart, before starting he took a few pictures, when finished he took more pictures.
.
A seemingly modest property and a modest job for the mow-blow-go team.
.
Those 2 facts penetrated.  Get pictures.  Always.
.
Fast forward 2 years, we began a landscape job for a new construction high-end home.  Pics taken before, during, after.  During the job we noticed the plumbing sub-contractor attached new plumbing of the home to the existing plumbing from the 1940's tear-down originally on site.  Mind your own business, is the mantra.  Excepting when you see something egregious.  After a day of discussion, should we tell the builder, we told the builder.
.
The builder had his plumber fix the issue, a few days later, we don't know why, the builder hired a new plumber.  Not pleasant for anyone.

The Daily Telegraph Garden Designer: Ulf Nordfell:

From The Telegraph.

The job progressed, we continued with pictures, we finished.  A couple of months later the homeowner calls, they have water in their basement.  The builder was called 1st, and carefully described how the 'landscaper' was responsible for flooding in the basement.
.
We go to the site, meet with the homeowner, and had pictures showing step by step our work was not playing a role in the basement flooding.  More than proving flooding was not 'landscaper' caused, our pics proved the builder and 2 of his sub-contractors caused the basement flooding.
.
This story is more unpleasant knowing the builder is degreed from a prestigious university.  Mr. Magic Boots had more integrity.  Thankful we had the pictures, imagine how thankful the homeowner was.
.
Hope this story was layered properly for you.  Get pictures, everyone, contractor, sub-contractor, homeowner.
.
Garden & Be Well,     XO T
.
Yes, wish I had a drone, video camera 'on', when the builder received his phone call, "The landscaper has pictures showing their work is not at fault."  Karma is usually much slower than its path in this story.

4 comments:

Connie in Hartwood said...

Pictures, always!! Before photos are harder to remember to take than progress and after shots.

I have used in-process photos to find framing, plumbing, and/or electrical in walls after the fact ... no hunting around when there photos of the evidence. How deep was that water main? Photo with the tape measure in place solved that.

Besides, sometimes it's just nice to sit and look at how things used to be ... and how much better they look in the After.

La Contessa said...

How FUNNY!
MY CONTRACTOR Husband had me take photos of all the pipes in the ground etc..........More so he could FIND Them if something went AMISS!
It is a VERY GOOD IDEA!

Anonymous said...

Hi, I've followed your blog with eager anticipation and now am taking the plunge myself. I will be writing about gardening and life in the Canadian Okanagan Valley. My first post is about our tree fort which has been a key part of our landscape and life. It can be found at naramatablendblog.wordpress.com

If this type I'd comment is not appropriate...please chalk it up to a blogger rookie move.

Looking forward to hearing more about your house and plans for your new landscape.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for this post. It's a good thing to know.