workflow
One walk, one link — no app for your client
Most tradies already have the raw ingredients for a great client update: a phone, a site walk, and a clear explanation of what matters. The problem is not capture — it is packaging. Texting photos scatters context. Voice notes are hard to skim. Long emails get ignored.
A walkthrough solves that by combining your narration, the path through the job, and snapshots at the moments that need emphasis — in one shareable record your client can actually watch.
Walkflow supports two capture styles for the same outcome:
| Mode | Best for | What you capture |
|---|---|---|
| Video walkthrough | Full site tours, progress updates, complex layouts | Continuous video + audio + snapshots |
| Photo + speech | Quick updates, tight access, lower bandwidth | Voice narration + snapshot taps only |
Both publish to the same client link format. Choose before you start recording; you can switch on the mode picker until capture begins. See when to use photo + speech vs video.
Why clients ignore photo dumps
When you text twelve photos from a switchboard upgrade or a rough-in inspection, your client has to guess:
- Which photo came first
- What you were pointing at
- What decision they need to make
- What happens next
That friction slows approvals, creates rework, and makes you repeat the same explanation on a follow-up call.
A walkthrough replaces the photo dump with a timeline-first record: video plus snapshots anchored to what you said, not a camera roll they have to decode.
The workflow: walk, talk, capture, share
Here is a repeatable workflow that works on most residential and light commercial jobs.
1. Walk the site with intent
Before you hit record, decide what the client needs to understand:
- Pre-start: scope, access constraints, assumptions
- Progress: what is done, what is next, what changed
- Snag / handover: outstanding items, compliance notes, client sign-off points
You are not filming a cinema reel. You are giving a guided tour with a clear outcome.
2. Talk like you are on site together
Narrate as if the client is walking beside you:
- Name locations ("switchboard wall", "wet area rough-in", "roof penetration")
- Call out decisions ("we can route conduit here or chase the wall")
- Flag risks and trade-offs ("this will add a day if we wait on the slab cure")
Short, direct sentences work best. Clients skim on mobile.
3. Capture snapshots at decision points
Pause your narration at key moments and capture snapshots for:
- Before / after comparisons
- Defects or variations
- Measurements and clearances
- Items that need client approval
Snapshots give clients a scannable set of anchors inside the longer recording.
4. Review before you share
Before sending anything client-facing, check:
- Title reflects the job and purpose ("Level 1 rough-in progress", "Pre-start walkthrough — kitchen rewire")
- Thumbnail represents the main story
- Snapshots still match what you said on the timeline
A two-minute review prevents the "wrong photo / wrong room" problem.
5. Share one link
Send a single link your client opens on any device. They should not need an app install, a login, or a file download to understand the job.
That is the bar: one link, full context, watch on their schedule.
What to include in common job updates
| Update type | What to show | What to say |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-start walkthrough | Access, existing conditions, proposed routes | Assumptions, exclusions, client choices |
| Progress update | Completed work, next trade coordination | Timeline impact, waiting-on items |
| Snag list | Defects, incomplete items, photos of fixes | Priority, responsibility, close-out plan |
Keep each walkthrough focused. If the story splits into two decisions, send two walkthroughs with clear titles.
How Walkflow fits this workflow
Walkflow is built around the walkthrough as the product — not a generic video host or a photo-first job album.
You record on site (video or photo + speech), capture snapshots along the way, publish when you are ready, and share a client link. After publish, Walkflow progressively enriches the record with transcript, chapters, snapshot captions, and summary — automation attached to the walkthrough, not a separate reporting step.
Coming next: AI-generated scope-of-work documents you review and accept before sharing — derived from the same walkthrough, so you stop copying summary text into emails or quote attachments manually.
If you are comparing tools, see Walkflow vs Loom for job walkthroughs or our trade-specific guide for electricians.
Quick checklist before you hit send
- Title names the job and update type
- First 30 seconds state the purpose
- Snapshots cover every decision or defect you mention
- You stated next steps and who owns them
- Link opens cleanly on mobile
That is how you send a client a video walkthrough they will actually use — and how you stop rebuilding the same explanation on every job.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a video walkthrough for clients?
- A walkthrough is a guided recording of a job site where you talk through what the client needs to see, capture snapshots at key moments, and share one link they can open without installing an app. Walkflow supports full video walkthroughs or a lighter photo-and-speech mode without continuous video.
- Can I send a walkthrough without recording video?
- Yes. Walkflow's photo + speech mode lets you narrate with your voice and tap to capture snapshots — no continuous video. Your client still gets an interactive walkthrough link with audio, transcript, and photos.
- Is a walkthrough better than texting photos?
- Photos alone lose context. A walkthrough keeps your narration, timeline, and snapshots together so clients understand scope, progress, and next steps in one place.
- Does my client need a Walkflow account?
- No. You share a link and your client opens it in their browser. They do not need to sign up to view the walkthrough.
- When should I send a walkthrough instead of a phone call?
- Use a walkthrough when the client is off site, in another meeting, or when you want them to review details on their own time and rewatch specific moments.