The 60-second filming guide
How to film a repair.
Start with the area around the problem, then move closer. A steady minute of video and a few words about what you noticed are enough to start.
Free on iPhone and Android in the US.
The five shots, in order
- 00 to 08 sec
Start wide.
Hold still and show where the problem sits in the room or outside the house.
- 08 to 20 sec
Move in slowly.
Walk closer without fast panning or digital zoom. Keep the problem in view as you go.
- 20 to 38 sec
Show the edges.
Pause on nearby seams, trim, joints, stains, cracks, fasteners and changes in material.
- 38 to 50 sec
Say what changed.
Describe what you noticed and when. Keep your guess about the cause separate.
- 50 to 60 sec
Give it scale.
If it is safe, show a tape measure or an everyday object next to the problem.
What to say
Tell the app what you noticed.
Describe what happened and when. If you have a guess about the cause, say that it is a guess.
“This crack starts at the top corner of the window. I first noticed it last month. The paint is peeling here. I don’t know what caused it.”
- Say where the problem is.
- Say what changed and roughly when.
- Mention water, smell, heat, movement or sound only if you noticed it.
- Say “I’m not sure” when you are not sure.
- Leave hidden conditions and a contractor’s diagnosis as open questions.
No shot is worth the risk
Only film from a safe position.
You don’t need to uncover hidden damage to get an estimate. Don’t move, climb, switch on, open or test anything that could put you at risk.
Don’t open electrical or gas equipment.
Film only what you can already see from a safe spot.
Don’t climb for a better angle.
Stay off roofs, shaky ladders, wet surfaces and damaged floors.
Don’t touch active leaks or hot materials.
Keep away from standing water, heat, sparks, smoke, strong smells and moving parts.
Leave hidden areas alone.
Tell Grainwork when something is out of view. You don’t need to open a wall or pull off a finish for the camera.
A real example
What a 16-second video produced: $510 to $655
Keep reading: how repair estimates work, or check a quote you already have.