JobDone ProHow to Document Tile Installation Before and After: A Tiler's Guide
The Problem Every Tiler Knows
You've spent two days laying 40 square meters of floor tile. The grout is perfect. The pattern is level. Then the client calls saying the bathroom wall was damaged before you arrived, and now they're blaming you.
No photos. No proof. You're stuck.
Poor documentation doesn't just lose arguments — it loses jobs, referrals, and money. Without a clear record of what the site looked like before you touched it and what it looked like after you finished, you have nothing to stand on.
Documentation Is Your Insurance Policy
Tilers who document every job have fewer disputes, faster payments, and more repeat clients. The photos don't just protect you from false claims — they show clients the craft behind the work. A before-and-after sequence demonstrates the transformation you delivered. That's a sales tool as much as a legal one.
The key is consistency. Every job, same process, every time. Not just the big contracts — the small bathroom retile too.
How to Document a Tile Installation Job
Step 1: Photograph the Substrate Before You Start
Before cutting a single tile, walk the entire area and take photos of the substrate — the wall, floor, or surface you're tiling over.
Look for and photograph:
- Existing cracks or damage
- Out-of-level areas
- Previous adhesive or grout remnants
- Water stains or damp patches
- Any surfaces adjacent to your work area (walls, skirting boards, fixtures)
Do not start work until this is done. If the client has concerns about pre-existing damage later, these photos are your first line of defence.
Step 2: Document Materials and Layout
Photograph the tiles and adhesive bags before opening them. Note the batch number on the tile boxes — if there's a colour variation between batches, you'll need this. Take a photo of your layout lines on the floor before you start sticking tiles.
This step is quick but protects you from claims about wrong materials or tile placement.
Step 3: Capture Progress Shots
You don't need to photograph every tile. Aim for:
- End of Day 1 (shows scope of work done)
- After grouting, before cleaning
- Specific details: corner cuts, edge trim, around fixtures like toilet flanges or drains
Progress photos prove you were on site when you claim you were. They also show technique and care — useful if a client questions your method later.
Step 4: Final Walk-Through Photos
When the job is done and you've cleaned up:
- Full room shots from each corner
- Close-up of grout lines at a joint
- Detail shots of tricky areas: inside corners, external corners, transitions to other flooring
- Any areas the client specifically requested attention
Take these before you pack up your tools. You won't come back just to document.
Step 5: Generate and Send the Report
Collect all photos into a job report and share it with the client the same day. A report that shows before, during, and after gives clients confidence in the quality of your work. It also sets the starting point — if they redecorate six months later and crack a tile, there's a clear record of what you handed over.
JobDone lets you photograph on the job, generate a report, and share it with your client in under 2 minutes. No admin back at the office required.
What to Include in the Final Report
A complete tile installation report should have:
- Date of work
- Address or job reference
- Pre-work condition photos (labelled)
- Materials used (tile reference, adhesive brand)
- Progress photos
- Final photos
- Any snags noted and resolved
Keep it short. Clients don't want a 40-page document — they want to see the before and after, know the materials used, and confirm the job is done.
Common Mistakes Tilers Make With Documentation
Waiting until the end to photograph. Pre-work photos are the most important. By the time you're packing up, the substrate damage you photographed on arrival is hidden under tiles.
Low-quality photos. Dark, blurry images won't hold up if there's a dispute. Use your phone camera properly: good lighting, steady hand, close enough to show detail.
No labelling. A folder of 30 photos with no context is useless in a dispute. JobDone automatically attaches each photo to a timestamped job record.
Skipping small jobs. Disputes happen on small jobs too. One unhappy client from a 2-hour retile can cost you ten future jobs through word of mouth.
Internal Links Worth Reading
For electricians working on the same renovation sites, the approach is the same: electrical installation photo documentation checklist.
General contractors coordinating multiple trades on a site should also read construction job site documentation best practices.
Try It on Your Next Job
Every tiler reading this has had at least one job where better documentation would have saved time, money, or a relationship with a client. The process above costs about 15 minutes per job. The problems it prevents can cost thousands.
JobDone is a free app built for tradespeople to document a job, generate a professional report, and share it with their client in under 2 minutes. No desktop required, no monthly fee.
