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Week of March 3, 2003

Front Page

Housing and Economics

* Spotlight on: Atlanta

Housing Politics

* Homeownership Tax Credit Off to Quick Start
* HUD Secretary Martinez Announces Housing Initiatives
* Builders Support Simplifying Home Buying Process
* Health Plan Bill a Shot in the Arm for Small Business

Housing Finance

* Builders Push for Secondary Market for AD&C Loans

Housing Forum

* It's Time for Local Housing Regulations to Give Working Families a Break

Business Management

* Document Your Job Site With Digital Pictures
* Learn From the Big Boys
* Good Job Descriptions Improve Work Performance

Multifamily

* Apartments Expanding the American Dream

Legal Issues

* Q&A: The Nitty Gritty About Construction Defect Legislation

Construction Safety

* Good Records Avoid OSHA Citations
* Steele Appointed to Crane And Derrick Rulemaking Committee

Smart Growth

* Smart Growth Effort Delivering Dividends

Environment

* Wanted: Accounts of Wetlands
* Confusion Over Storm Water Compliance Imminent

Membership Dividends

* Higher Storm Water Control Costs Averted

Building News Coast To Coast

Association News & Events

* NAHB and Bob the Builder™ Promote Child Safety
* Florida Builders Win Community Service Award

NBN Back Issues

 

Document Your Job Site With Digital Pictures

Those of you who use digital cameras on the job know they are just the thing for sending progress updates to customers. And they're great for punching up your Web site with your best projects.

But going digital is good for much more. Snap digital pictures in various locations on your sites and they could save you time, money, frustration — and potential lawsuits.

Here are some “How To” tips on documenting your jobsite with digital photos:

  • Keep it clean. First things first — make sure you do a thorough clean-up job before shooting any photos on your job site. You don't want food wrappers, scrap lumber, sawdust or other debris showing up in any of the pictures.

  • Foundation. Take pictures after the foundation is waterproofed and insulated; the day before backfilling is best. These pictures can help address building inspection questions. And they're a good resource if the foundation develops serious problems like leaks or cracks.

  • Framing. Take pictures after all mechanicals are complete. The day before the insulators show up is a good time to shoot. I take general pictures of all walls and ceilings, and get close enough so that headers, trimmers and other structural details show up in the frames.

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Drywallers almost always bury an outlet or light on every job. With pictures of this stage of construction, you can help them find it — while also showing them that they really did miss it!

Pictures at framing are also helpful when dealing with your home buyer. If your buyer wants to make a change after the drywall goes up, digital photos can help you accurately calculate the cost. The photos can back you up, too, if you decide the change is impossible to make.

The pictures can be useful for pinpointing studs, mechanicals, etc. down the road if your buyer wants to do any remodeling after the sale.  

  • Radiant floor heating. Whether you're installing a hydronic or electric system, take photos after the tubes or cables have been laid but before they're sealed in concrete or some other substrate. Photos can be used as proof that the heating elements were spaced correctly.

To some extent these photos also can be used to show the heating elements' proximity to walls or other benchmarks. This will help prevent your customer from driving fasteners into them.

  • General. Take pictures of window weatherproofing and all flashing at deck ledgers, roofs and other areas to show what you've done to prevent water intrusion.

Good documentation is key and can be accomplished with a little forethought and planning. Digital cameras make it simple and give you instant results.

Chris Thompson is a custom home builder and president of On the Level, Inc., in Carver, MN. His company's Web site is www.weareonthelevel.com. To reach Chris, call him at 952-368-4663, fax at 952-368-4673, or via e-mail.
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