Photo and Notes Plan for Documenting an Older Home After Fire

A walkthrough plan

Do this once the fire department has said the house is safe to enter, and wear sturdy shoes, gloves and a mask rated for particles.

Start outside.Photograph every side of the house from a distance, then closer views of damage, roof openings, broken windows and the street view.
Work room by room in a set order.Pick a direction, such as clockwise from the front door, and stick with it. Begin each room with a wide shot from the doorway.
Capture each wall and the ceiling.Take a photo of each wall, the ceiling and the floor, then closer shots of damage and of original features.
Get details with scale.Place a tape measure or ruler beside trim profiles, tile and floorboards so dimensions can be read later.
Record sound as well.A short video narrating each room can capture context, such as where water came through or what was stored where.
Back up immediately.Copy everything to cloud storage or a second device the same day.

Shot list for older-home details

Trim profiles, photographed end-on where a piece has been cut or removed.
Door hardware, hinges and any original locks.
Built-in cabinetry, including inside doors and drawers.
Light fixtures and their ceiling canopies.
Tile layouts, including borders and any patterns.
Window sash, glass and hardware from inside and outside.
Radiators, registers and grilles.
Fireplace surrounds, hearths and mantels.
Any older photos you have of the house before the fire, from phones, real estate listings or family albums.

A simple naming system

Part: Date
Example: Day 1, Day 3
Purpose: Shows when damage was recorded

Part: Floor
Example: Main, Upper, Base
Purpose: Groups rooms by level

Part: Room
Example: Dining, Front Bed
Purpose: Matches your inventory

Part: Subject
Example: Buffet glass, north wall
Purpose: Identifies the item

Part: Sequence
Example: 01, 02, 03
Purpose: Keeps order within a room

Consistent names make it easy to find a photo during a dispute months later.

Common questions

Should I photograph before the restoration contractor arrives?

If the house is safe to enter, yes. Mitigation crews move contents and remove wet materials quickly, so your own first set of pictures records the house before anything changed. Ask the contractor for copies of their photos as well.

Is a phone camera good enough?

For most claims, a modern phone is fine. Turn on location and date stamps if available, use the flash in dark, sooty rooms, and take more photos than seem necessary. Storage is cheap; missing evidence is not.

General information for Park Hill, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.