Module 05 · Inspection group

Damage Spotting

Document with photos the moment something looks off. Time-stamped evidence protects the host's deposit and prevents crew blame.

Tools + products to bring

Equipment
  • Phone with photo + GPS enabled
  • PristineFlip app (job card + report)
  • Tape measure (ruler app is fine)
  • Black felt-tip marker (for labeling broken-glass areas)
  • Nitrile gloves

Execution

7 steps in order

  1. 01

    Photo-document BEFORE you touch anything

    The instant you spot damage — even tiny damage — photograph it first, then continue cleaning. The photo + timestamp is your evidence that the damage was pre-existing and you noticed it. Cleaning around damage without documenting it can look like you caused it.

  2. 02

    Capture wide-shot + close-up + ruler shot for every incident

    Wide shot (the room context). Close-up (the damage itself). Ruler shot (damage next to a coin or your thumb for scale). Three shots take 30 seconds and they're the difference between a paid host claim and a contest.

  3. 03

    Classify the damage — what to do depends on it

    Cosmetic (scuff mark, stain): clean, document, continue. Wear (frayed edge, fading): document, continue, host decides. Functional (broken knob, cracked tile): STOP, document, text/call the host immediately. Safety (broken glass, leak, exposed wire): isolate the area, label, text/call the host NOW.

  4. 04

    For broken glass — isolate FIRST, label SECOND

    Steps: (1) Move guests and yourself out of the affected area. (2) Boot or shoe-cover if next guest is imminent. (3) Carefully collect shards with nitrile gloves and a dustpan — never bare-handed, never a vacuum (glass becomes airborne in the bag). (4) Label the area with the marker on a piece of tape. (5) Photo-document. (6) Text/call the host.

  5. 05

    Do not move or repair damage before documenting

    Even "obvious" fixes (righting a tipped lamp, plugging a fallen picture back in) — document first. If the photo-bundle on the cleaning app is missing because "I fixed it," the host cannot justify any deposit deduction.

  6. 06

    Report in the app + confirm receipt with the host

    After photos, file the damage report through the PristineFlip app. The report should include: location, classification, photo bundle, and your assessment of whether the property is guest-safe to occupy today. The host's automated text confirmation is your proof the report was received.

  7. 07

    If the property is NOT guest-safe — escalate immediately

    Do not lock up and leave. SMS + call the host. If the host is unreachable, escalate to the property's secondary contact (in the app). Do not hand the property over until guest-safety issues are addressed or the next guest's reservation is re-routed.

  8. Accept means…

    • Every observed damage item has a photo-bundle of 3+ shots in the PristineFlip app.
    • Every damage item is classified (cosmetic / wear / functional / safety).
    • Safety issues isolated, host notified, and guest-routing considered BEFORE leaving the property.
    • No damage repaired or rearranged before photographs.
    • Host confirmation of receipt logged.

When something looks off

Pitfalls to watch for