Photo Documentation, Room by Room

Why photo documentation matters

When a host wakes up at 6am to a guest complaint, the first thing they want is proof that the unit was clean and ready when the previous guest left. Photos answer that question instantly. They also protect you — when there's a question about damage, missing items, or a disputed checkout time, timestamped photos settle it fast.

Strong photo documentation is the single biggest thing that turns one-time work into a long-term relationship with a host.

What to capture

For each room in the property, take at least:

• One wide shot from the doorway showing the whole room
• One detail shot of the part you put the most work into (made bed, polished counter, folded towels, clean shower)
• One after shot of any problem area — for example, a stain that wouldn't come out, or a low supply that needs restocking

For a typical 2-bedroom turnover, that's about 12 to 18 photos. For a deep clean, plan on more.

Before vs. after

For most turnovers, after photos are enough — the host wants proof that the unit is ready for the next guest. You don't need to document the mess.

Take before photos when:

• The previous guest left damage you didn't cause (so you don't get blamed for it later)
• The unit was unusually dirty and you want the host to consider charging the guest
• There's a stain or issue that you cleaned but you want to show your work

A simple "before" photo of damage protects you from being blamed for it weeks later.

Two ways to send photos

You can send photos either way — whichever is easier:

• By text message — just MMS them to the same number you got the job from. They attach to the active job automatically. See Send Photos by Text for the details.
• From the task page — open the job in your dashboard and tap Add Photo under each room.

Both methods produce the same result.

What gets recorded with each photo

Every photo is automatically tagged with:

• Timestamp — exactly when you took it
• Room — which area (kitchen, master bedroom, bathroom 2)
• Job — linked to the property and task
• Cleaner — who took it

You don't have to label anything yourself. The system handles all of that based on the active job.

Flagging an issue

If you find something the host needs to know about — broken appliance, stain that won't come out, low supplies — take a photo and add a short note like:

"Burner #3 not working. Confirmed when I tested it."

The photo is flagged as an issue on the task, the host sees it right away, and it shows up in the final report so there's a record.

Tips for great photos

• Open blinds and turn on lights. Dark photos look bad even when the room is spotless.
• Use the same angle for before and after when you're doing comparison shots.
• Hold the phone steady and level. Crooked, blurry photos look unprofessional.
• Skip mirrors. Avoid catching yourself in mirror reflections.
• Don't photograph guest belongings. If a guest left items behind, photograph the items separately and flag them, but never include personal items in your room shots.
• Landscape orientation usually fits the report layout better than vertical.

How hosts see your photos

Hosts see all your photos in the task report, organized by room with before-and-after pairs side by side. They can flip through them quickly to confirm the unit is ready, or zoom in on any detail.

Cleaners with strong photo records get rated higher, win more bids, and earn more repeat business. It's the easiest single thing you can do to grow your work.

Common questions

Do I have to take a photo of every single room? Hosts expect every room and every bathroom. Closets and storage areas are optional unless the host specifies.

Can I delete a photo if I made a mistake? Yes — open the photo from the task page and tap Delete, as long as the job isn't closed yet.

Do photos work in low light? They do, but they look much better with the lights on. Always flip the switch.