This may not be something you think about as a tile contractor – or maybe it’s something you deal with on every job. But in our suspicious, litigious society, some tile contractors find themselves on camera at home- owner sites while on the job, most often without being asked for permis- sion or even told cameras are in use. The issue is compounded by the fact that the legality of recording or videotaping a contractor working in a home is controlled by state laws, which are not uniform across all states – so there’s no single answer about the legality of videotaping workers that applies in all states. Ward Harrington of WTH Custom in Moses Lake, Wash., raised the question, “What are your thoughts on your clients set- ting up a camera while you work – and when you turn it away, the next morning it’s back facing you?” to the Tile Geeks Facebook group. Here are excerpts from members of that group sounding off about the good, the bad and the ugly of being recorded while on the job. Edits have been made for brevity, language and continuity. Bradley Lemmon, Kasen Construction LLC, Oklahoma City, Okla. – My first thought is that if it’s not yours to mess with, and if you’re doing everything on the up and up, why do you care? I would have no problem with a homeowner having a camera on site. It’s their house, and their prerogative. Unless you specify in your contract that you are not to be filmed, I don’t see how you think they aren’t entitled to having a camera in their own house. You have no rights in their house that are not clearly outlined in your contract. Nick Roth, self-employed, Adrian, Mich. – I always work with the mindset that I’m being watched. Doesn’t bother me at all. Cabot & Rowe, Houston, Texas – I agree. I tell my guys that all the time. HOT TOPICS ––––––––––––––––––––––––– Contractors sound off about clients having them on camera as they work – without permission By Lesley Goddin To videotape or not to videotape – that is the question 102 TileLetter | June 2017