Quick answer: Photograph in the order the crew will work: the street and parking, the entrance and stairs, each room from the doorway, open closets, then the basement, the garage and the yard. Add close-ups of heavy or special items and mark what stays. A complete set, sent to every provider, makes estimates comparable.
A good set of photos often replaces a visit. The trick is to photograph in the order the crew will work: from the street to the far end of the basement. Nothing is missed, and the provider sees the route as well as the volume.
Direct answer: follow the crew's route
Start outside (street, parking, entrance), go up or down the stairs, then photograph each room from the doorway, open closets, the basement, the garage, the shed and the yard. Add close-ups of heavy or special items. Mark the items to keep, and send the same set to every provider.
Key terms
- Photo set: the images sent with a request, in a logical order.
- Scale reference: a known object, such as a door or a chair, that shows size.
- Items to keep: what stays on site, clearly marked.
The photos, in order
- The street in front of the property and possible parking.
- The entrance, steps and door.
- The indoor or outdoor staircase, from the top.
- Each room from the doorway, lights on.
- Closets and storage, doors open.
- The basement, corner by corner.
- The garage, the shed and the yard.
- A close-up of each heavy or special item.
- The items to keep, with their marking.
What each photo tells the provider
| Photo | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Street and parking | Distance to the truck |
| Entrance and stairs | Carrying time, disassembly |
| Rooms and closets | Real volume |
| Basement, garage, yard | Hidden volume, special materials |
| Close-ups | Extra equipment or people |
| Marked items | Exclusions |
Privacy
Before photographing, turn over documents, mail and family photos. A provider that receives your images must protect the personal information it collects.
After sending
Keep the set as a before-record and compare it with the finished state. See estimating volume, what makes a quote incomplete and heavy items.
Next step
Prepare a service request with your photos, then request a clearout quote.
Frequently asked questions
Is a video better than photos?
A short video helps; photos are easier to compare.
How many photos are needed?
One or two per space, plus the close-ups.
Should every provider get the same photos?
Yes; that is what makes the estimates comparable.
Do photos always replace a visit?
Not always; some jobs need a visit.
Sources
Sources checked on November 12, 2026.