The Contents Process
Contents refers to your “stuff”. This includes any belongings in your home, from a paperclip to your refrigerator to your clothing, and everything in between. Items not considered contents will be accounted for on the rebuild stage of your project, such items that are built into the wall or come with the house.
Contents are typically the first thing addressed in a large loss project. We need to get your items to safety so they do not degrade while sitting in the home, as well as to get them out of our way so we do not damage them while we are working.
Your contents are covered under your homeowner’s insurance, but typically they will be insured via a separate allowance than the insurance you have on your structure. This means that the cost of dealing with your contents will not be counted against your policy limit for your structure.
The steps for addressing your contents are as follows.
Contents Inventory & Removal:
We create inventory reports for all the contents in your home that will need moving or restoration. You are then able to let us know what items you want back immediately, what items you would like us to clean and restore, what items you would like us to put into storage, and what items we should dispose of. Our team will handle the removal of all contents that require restoration. We will compile a detailed “restore” inventory report and provide it to the insurance vendor so they can update their records accordingly.
Non-Salvageable Items:
For contents that cannot be restored, we will document them with overview photos and proceed with disposal. This documentation will also be shared with the insurance vendor for their records.
Possible Restore Items Missed:
As we move through the non salvageable items, if we see any contents that could be sentimental or non replaceable, we will be sure to set it aside and notify you of the findings. We want to ensure no priceless items are disposed of that you may have missed during your walkthroughs.
Contents Restoration:
The contents that are set to be restored will either be cleaned in house (suitable for cleaning in our facility) or sent to our specialty contents cleaning subcontractors. Items cleaned in house will be processed by our expert team and include items like wood furniture and nonporous items. For items requiring specialized care (arts, electronics and jewelry) will be sent to our trusted specialty contents cleaning subcontractors. Any clothing or textiles will be sent to the dry cleaner for a thorough clean.
Storage: Once items have been restored, they will be securely stored in climate controlled storage paid for by insurance until the rebuild process is completed and they can be returned to your care.
Pack Back:
Finally, once your home has been returned to like-new condition to your satisfaction, the last step of your project will be typically be the contents pack back. This is where we return your items to your home right where we found them!
