On the tools

How to photograph a job so it maps

Updated 8 November 2026 · Australia

A useful RPL photo shows the work before it is covered up, the material, and enough of the site to know where it was. A pretty finished bathroom with the membrane already tiled over is weak evidence of waterproofing.

Before you leave site

Photograph the thing the unit actually asks for: the inspection opening before backfill, the tempering valve and the temperature at the outlet, the harness tied off, the flashing dressed into the tray. Then say, out loud, the address, the date, who walked it, and what you did.

One wide shot so the location is obvious.
One close shot of the component, label, or test reading.
A voice note in your own words. The portfolio transcribes on Chrome, including Android.
Supervisor name if someone licensed checked it.
Do not upload a client’s personal documents you were not asked to keep.

What the mapper can and cannot see

Keyword mapping reads your words. AI reading can look at the photo as well, and it spends tokens. Neither one knows if you were the person on the tools. That is the authenticity question, and it is why the supervisor line exists.

Add one job you already did as evidence. We’ll name what is still missing. That’s how your portfolio starts.

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