Photo Retention Practices
How long should you keep construction photos? The answer depends on legal requirements, business needs, and risk profile.
Retention Guidelines
Keep all photos. This is your active documentation period.
Keep full resolution. Warranty periods and immediate claims.
Keep key photos. Statute of limitations for defects varies by jurisdiction.
Consider keeping landmark photos. Some claims have long tails.
Why Retention Matters
Get Legal Advice
Retention requirements vary by jurisdiction, project type, and contract terms. These are general guidelines. Consult with legal counsel familiar with construction law in your jurisdiction for specific requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the minimum retention period?
At minimum, keep photos for the duration of any warranty periods plus any applicable statute of limitations. This is typically 5-10 years depending on jurisdiction. Consult legal counsel for your specific situation.
Does cloud storage make long-term retention practical?
Yes. Cloud storage costs are modest and declining. Keeping years of photos is affordable. We offer extended retention as part of our service, with options for different storage tiers.
Should I keep every photo forever?
Not necessarily. After the project, you might archive to lower-cost storage, keep representative samples, or maintain full archives for high-value/high-risk projects. Match retention to project risk profile.
What about GDPR and photo retention?
GDPR requires you keep personal data only as long as necessary. With face blurring enabled, photos don't contain personal data and can be retained indefinitely. Without blurring, retention should be justified by legitimate business need.
Related Topics
Long-Term Storage Included
Our plans include extended storage. Ask about our retention options.
