Most companies use photographs and video to show off finished projects and populating their web pages with beautiful images.  But using photography at major milestones during construction gives you crucial reference of what’s behind the wall, especially if you run into construction problems or decide to make modifications later.  Electronic construction documentation is a pictoral account of a project and is used from site survey, uncovering hidden conditions, job progress and legal considerations.

It is used to document interior and exterior changing conditions of a site and/or bring to the attention of the construction team (structural, architect, civil, etc.) some aspect of the project that would be otherwise lengthily to describe in an e-mail.  It also fosters dialogue among project stakeholders. For instance, some systems allow project team members to make comments visible to other parties for change orders, progress payment approvals, and dialogue about the quality of work-in-place.

What’s was behind that wall?  Will you puncture a pipe?  Construction documentation firms photograph each stage of your build out, integrate and cross-reference progress photos to the CAD drawings so you can see the stages of how plumbing and electrical were installed without having to open up a wall.

They are used to:

1. Document pre-existing conditions and keep track of completion.
2. Documentation of work that is “hidden” by the work process itself.
3. Welding that support curtain wall.
4. Nail patterns on shear walls.
5. Depth and completeness of insulation materials.
6. HVAC connections and equipment.
7. Perimeter, foundation, “french” drains.
8. Rebar patterns, placement, lapping, bending, etc. Masonry ties; veneer fasteners.

Pictures are very useful tools in a construction project as a visual walk-through and are used throughout the build process.