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Online Service Documents Construction Process

Seeing is believing. That's why Scott Yahraus created ConstructionPhotoDocs, an online system that documents each step of the building process.

"The bane of the industry is change orders," he told CPE. "We help with that."

ConstructionPhotoDocs serves as a documentation clearinghouse for projects, including photos of every floor, wall and ceiling as well as all site and floor plans. Yahrus says this affords those involved in the process a real-time virtual view that can save money down the line. That's because the photos substantiate claims by each contractor along with displaying any potential flaws in the building process.

"You have the photos that tell the story," Yahraus said. "It conveys transparency for the new owner. It's like a truthfulness."

When clients access the program, they can view floorplans and photos from just about every angle, along with any requests for information, change orders, bulletins and miscellaneous related documents. While such documentation is already common within the industry, Yahraus says that it is extremely helpful to have it all in the same place.

"Developers take pictures already. We know that," he said. "The problem is, who has what photo and where do you store it?"

The company typically takes onsite pictures three to four times per month in order to document progressions and milestones. The purpose of consistent photographing is to catch errors in process and avoid change orders. "When it's coverd up," Yahraus said. "it's covered up."

Since ConstructionPhotoDocs is online, Yahraus says, team members on the go can check on a projcet anywhere at any time in the process.

"For a road warrior, this makes a lot of sense," he said. "They can just log on even if they're at the airport or wherever."

Yahraus says that the company currently has five projects under contract and is on a strong growth curve. "This business has a high pent-up demand," he said.