Preparedness & recovery
What Records Should You Keep Before Repairing or Rebuilding After a Disaster?
Before demolition or repair, preserve five record types: original condition, damage, decisions, costs, and approvals. Do not delay urgent safety work to document it.
SharedMorrow Editorial · Last reviewed 2026-10-05
Direct answer
Before demolition or repair, preserve five record types: original condition, damage, decisions, costs, and approvals. Do not delay urgent safety work to document it.
Start here
Photograph exterior, rooms, structure, equipment labels, serial numbers, and water, fire, or smoke marks, preserving originals, dates, and location notes. Inventory damaged items and materials and retain purchase proof, valuations, repair advice, temporary housing costs, and expenses to prevent further damage.
Work through the decision
Log every government, landlord, contractor, insurer, or aid contact with date, person, decision, and next step, without publishing private reference numbers. Before contracting, confirm local permits, hazardous-material, demolition, and heritage rules and keep applications, approvals, drawings, and inspections.
Common mistake
Photographing only after cleanup, relying on chat history, paying unreceipted cash, or demolishing before checking hazards and permits harms safety and traceability.
When to stop and get help
Ask local authorities and qualified professionals first when structure, gas, electricity, asbestos or lead, contamination, title, or legal procedure is uncertain.
Next step
Separate emergency stabilization, cleanup, design, construction, and completion records, back them up, and tell household members where they are.