Site Tip · Building trust

Before and after photo galleries for trades

Anyone can write "quality work, fair prices" on a website. Far fewer can show a bathroom before the remodel and after it. If you work with your hands, your photos are the strongest thing on your site, as long as you present them well.

Why before and after photos work

Show, don't tell. A homeowner reading about your skills has to take your word for it. A homeowner looking at a stained ceiling beside a clean, repaired one can see the result with their own eyes.

This works for plumbers, painters, roofers, landscapers, remodelers, and any trade where the work changes how something looks. It also helps people picture their own project and feel safer calling you.

How to build a good gallery

A strong gallery pairs the same angle before and after. Stand in the same spot, hold the camera at the same height, and take both shots. When the two photos line up, the change is obvious.

Add a short note to each job. One or two sentences is plenty. Say what the problem was and what you did.

• Take the before photo before you touch anything
• Shoot from the same spot and angle for the after photo
• Use good light and wipe the lens first
• Clean up the work area before the after shot
• Add a short caption with the work done and the town
• Group jobs by type, such as kitchens, roofs, or repairs

Mistakes to avoid

Random photos with no labels leave people guessing. A picture of a nice deck is just a picture. A picture of a deck with a note that says "Rebuilt rotted deck boards and railing, Maplewood" tells a story.

Avoid blurry shots, dark rooms, and photos where the before and after are taken from very different angles. Skip heavy filters too, since they can make the work look fake.

Most important, get the homeowner's okay before you post. Ask if they are comfortable with photos of their home online, and leave out house numbers, family photos, and anything that shows personal items. Photos of a house can reveal more than you think.

Keep it fresh

Add new jobs regularly, and remove older ones that no longer show your best work. A gallery with a few recent, well-labeled projects beats a huge pile of old ones.

If you would like help setting up a gallery that loads quickly on phones, Modestius builds and fixes websites for small businesses.

Questions owners ask

Do I need permission to post photos of a customer's home?

Yes, it is best to ask first and keep a record, like a text message. Leave out addresses and personal items.

How many photos should each job have?

One strong before and after pair is enough. For bigger projects, add a few more in between to show the steps.

Should I list the town for each job?

Yes, the town shows where you work and helps local visitors see you serve their area. Use the town, not the street address.