Getting an accurate surface repair quote often starts with sending photographs to your repair company. A clear, well-lit photo can make the difference between a precise estimate and a vague price range — and helps the technician arrive prepared with the right materials. This quick guide explains how to photograph surface damage for the most accurate online quote.
What Makes a Good Surface Damage Photo?
- Good natural light — natural daylight from a window is better than artificial overhead lighting, which can flatten shadows and make chips harder to see. Avoid direct flash if possible.
- Macro or close-up mode — most smartphone cameras can focus very close to a surface. Switch to portrait or macro mode if the chip is small, to avoid the camera auto-focusing on the background instead.
- Show the damage clearly — get the camera within 15–20cm of the chip or crack and ensure the damage is in sharp focus.
- Include a size reference — place a coin (a 1p or 10p works well) next to the damage before photographing. This instantly tells the technician the scale of the repair needed.
- Shoot from multiple angles — a straight-on shot plus a low-angle (side-on) shot reveals the depth of the chip and whether there is material loss or just surface scuffing.
- A wider context shot — one photo showing the whole worktop, bath or tile helps the technician understand the colour, finish and setting before they arrive.
Specific Tips for Different Surfaces
Worktops (quartz, granite, laminate, solid wood)
Stand above the worktop and angle your shot slightly, rather than shooting straight down. This picks up the depth of chips and edge damage. For laminate worktops with swollen edges, a side-on shot clearly shows the extent of delamination.
Baths and shower trays
Chips in a white bath can be hard to see in photos. Try photographing at a shallow angle (almost parallel to the surface) with light raking across the area — this creates shadow in the chip that makes it visible. Include the chip’s location in the bath (base, side panel, near the plug) in your description.
Tiles
For tile chips, a close-up of the damaged tile plus a wider shot showing the tile colour and pattern helps with colour matching. Note the tile size and whether you have any spare tiles stored from installation — this information affects repair approach.
What to Include in Your Quote Request
Along with photographs, a good quote request includes: the material (e.g. “quartz worktop, I think it’s Silestone”), the approximate chip size, how the damage was caused if known, the location (city or postcode), and a contact number or email for the technician to follow up.
