How to Take Before Photos for Your Flooring Project
Professional before photos are essential for documenting your current flooring condition. They provide proof for insurance claims, help you remember the original layout, and create a powerful before-and-after comparison. Learn what to photograph and how to capture it properly.
Quick Summary
Time needed
30 minutes
Cost
Free
Difficulty
Easy
Why Before Photos Are Critical
Many homeowners skip this step, thinking they'll remember what their floors looked like. But once demolition starts, it's impossible to recreate these photos. Before photos serve as documentation for insurance, proof of contractor work, reference for future projects, and a satisfying record of your transformation.
Pro Tip: If you discover hidden damage during flooring removal (water damage, mold, structural issues), your before photos establish that this damage existed prior to the project. This can be crucial for insurance claims and contractor disputes.
Digital photos cost nothing to take and store. Take more than you think you need. You can always delete extras later, but you can't go back in time to capture what's been torn out.
What to Photograph
1. Entire Floor from Multiple Angles
Stand in each doorway and corner to capture the full floor area. Take wide shots that show the entire room layout and flooring pattern.
Shooting Checklist:
- •One photo from each doorway looking into the room
- •Corner-to-corner diagonal shots showing maximum floor area
- •Standing shots at chest height (not looking down)
- •Include walls and baseboards for context
2. All Damage and Problem Areas
Document every scratch, stain, buckle, crack, and worn area. These close-up photos are essential for insurance documentation and explaining why replacement is necessary.
Critical Damage to Document:
- • Water stains or warping (indicates leak damage)
- • Deep scratches or gouges
- • Loose or missing tiles/planks
- • Stains from pets, spills, or age
- • Uneven areas or buckling
- • Cracks in tile or concrete
- • Worn traffic patterns
- • Mold or discoloration
3. Transition Zones and Doorways
Photograph where different flooring types meet, thresholds between rooms, and how current flooring connects to adjacent spaces. This helps you plan new transitions.
Stand in hallways and photograph looking into multiple rooms to capture how flooring currently flows from space to space. These photos are valuable for maintaining continuity with your new flooring.
4. Fixed Elements and Details
Capture how flooring meets cabinets, built-ins, fireplaces, stairs, and other permanent features. You'll need to replicate these connections with new flooring.
- ✓Under kitchen cabinets (does flooring extend underneath?)
- ✓Around toilet bases and vanities
- ✓Stair treads and risers
- ✓Fireplace hearths
- ✓Baseboards and trim details
Photography Best Practices
Use Natural Daylight
Take photos during the day when natural light from windows illuminates the room. This shows true colors and condition. Avoid flash photography which creates harsh shadows and color distortion. Turn on overhead lights for darker rooms, but windows are your best light source.
Keep Your Phone Level
Hold your camera level (most phones show a built-in level). Tilted photos make rooms look distorted. Stand straight and hold the phone at chest height for most shots. For floor damage close-ups, get down to floor level.
Clear the Floor First
Remove shoes, toys, pet bowls, rugs, and clutter before photographing. You want to see the actual flooring condition, not what's sitting on top of it. If furniture is too heavy to move, take photos around it and note areas you couldn't capture.
Label and Organize Immediately
Create folders on your phone or computer labeled by room (Kitchen Before, Master Bedroom Before, etc.). If you're documenting for insurance, include the date in the file name. Back up photos to cloud storage or email them to yourself immediately.
Common Photo Documentation Mistakes
Not taking enough photos
Don't try to capture everything in 2-3 photos per room. Take 10-15 photos per room including wide shots, corners, damage, and details. You won't regret having too many, but you'll regret not having enough.
Skipping closets and less visible areas
Photograph every space including closets, pantries, laundry rooms, and under furniture. Hidden damage often appears in these areas, and you'll need to replace flooring there too.
Using only flash in dark rooms
Flash creates bright spots and deep shadows that hide floor condition. Open curtains, turn on lights, and shoot during daytime instead. If a room is truly dark, take multiple photos from different angles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need before photos for flooring replacement?
Before photos serve multiple purposes: they document damage for insurance claims if needed, help you remember the original layout and condition, provide proof of work completed for contractors, and create a visual record of your transformation. They're also valuable when selling your home to show improvements made.
What time of day should I take before photos?
Take photos during daytime when natural light from windows illuminates the room. Mid-morning or early afternoon works best. Avoid using flash which creates harsh shadows and distorts colors. Natural light shows the true condition and color of your existing flooring.
How many photos should I take of each room?
Take at least 4-6 photos per room: one from each corner or wall showing the entire floor, plus close-ups of any damaged areas, transitions, and unique features. It's better to have too many photos than too few. Digital storage is cheap, but you can't recreate these photos once work begins.
Should I include furniture in the before photos?
Take photos both with and without furniture if possible. Photos with furniture show the room's current layout and how flooring looks in context. Photos without furniture (or furniture moved) clearly show the floor condition. At minimum, capture as much visible flooring as possible.
Ready for the Next Step?
Now that you've documented your current flooring, it's time to measure each room accurately to calculate how much new flooring you'll need.