The short answer: You need proof captured at the moment of work — not photos sent after the fact, not a "done" text, not self-reported checklists. The proof needs GPS coordinates, a timestamp, compass direction, and a signature, all locked so they can't be edited afterward. That's what gives both sides a record they can actually trust.
The problem with trusting photos and texts
When you subcontract a job, the standard "proof" is a photo sent in WhatsApp and a text saying "done." Here's why that's not enough:
- Photos can be taken anywhere. There's no GPS stamp proving the photo was taken at the job site.
- Photos can be taken anytime. There's no timestamp lock — the photo could be from last month.
- Photos can be edited. Filters, crops, even AI-generated images are easy to create.
- Texts are self-reported. "Done" doesn't prove anything happened.
When a dispute happens — the customer says the work wasn't done, or the subcontractor says it was — you have no verifiable evidence. It's your word against theirs.
What real proof looks like
Real proof of work has five components, all captured at the moment of work:
- GPS coordinates: Proves the photo was taken at the job site, not somewhere else.
- Timestamp: Proves when the work was done, not just that it was done.
- Compass direction: Proves what the worker was looking at — useful for multi-location jobs.
- On-site signature: The worker signs on their phone at the moment of completion, confirming they did the work.
- Tamper-proof lock: Once submitted, the record can't be edited. No swapping photos, no changing timestamps.
This combination creates a record that's extremely difficult to fake — and that both sides can rely on if a dispute arises.
How to implement verification in your workflow
Here's a simple three-step process:
1. Assign the job formally
Don't just text your subcontractor "can you do this job?" Create a formal assignment — in Fieclo, you create a job and assign it to the vendor or worker. They accept it on their phone. Now there's a clear record of who was responsible for the work.
2. Require proof capture on site
When the worker arrives, they capture photos through the app. Each photo is automatically stamped with GPS, time, and compass. They sign on their phone. All of this happens at the moment of work — not after they leave.
3. Both sides see the same record
Once the proof is submitted, you and the subcontractor both see the same tamper-evident record. If there's ever a question about whether the work was done, you both point to the same evidence.
What about offline work?
Many field jobs happen in areas with poor signal — basements, remote sites, new construction. Fieclo captures all the proof offline (photos, GPS, signatures) and syncs the record once the phone is back online. The proof is still stamped with the moment of capture, not the moment of sync.
The cost of not having proof
A single disputed job can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars in:
- Rework — sending someone back to fix or redo the job
- Refunds — paying the customer for work you can't prove was done
- Lost customers — the customer doesn't trust you anymore
- Legal fees — if the dispute escalates
A proof-of-work tool like Fieclo costs $39/month for 50 jobs. One avoided dispute pays for a year of service.
Start with 5 free jobs
You don't need to commit to anything. Fieclo's free plan gives you 5 jobs — enough to try the verification workflow on a real job and see if it's worth it. No credit card required.