WatchRestoring Hope: Transforming Fire-Damaged HomesAsk most people to list everything in their kitchen from memory and they'll get about halfway. Now ask them to do it for the whole house, while they're living in a hotel and still in shock from a fire. That's the contents inventory, and it's one of the hardest parts of recovering from a fire loss.
It doesn't have to be impossible. Here's how we help homeowners break it down.
What Is a Contents Inventory?
It's a list of the personal property in your home: furniture, clothes, electronics, dishes, tools, decor, all of it. It notes what each item is, roughly how old it is, and whether it was burned, smoke damaged, water damaged or came through fine.
The structure is the house itself: walls, floors, roof, cabinets. Contents are what you'd take with you if you moved. G3 Construction documents and rebuilds the structure. Contents documentation is something we help organize so you're not starting with a blank page.
Where Do I Start?
Start with one room. Not the whole house. Pick the room you know best, usually the kitchen or the master bedroom, and go wall by wall.
- Stand at the door and work clockwise around the room.
- List the big items first: furniture, appliances, TVs.
- Then open every drawer, cabinet and closet and list what's inside.
- Note the condition of each item: burned, smoke, water, or okay.
- Take a photo of each group of items before anything is moved.
When that room's done, take a break. Then do the next one.
How Do I Remember What I Owned?
Your phone is your best friend here. Scroll back through your photos and videos. Birthday parties, holidays and Christmas morning pictures show furniture, decor and electronics in the background. Check your online order history and email receipts. Your bank and credit card statements can help too.
Ask family members to make their own lists of their own rooms. Kids remember their stuff better than parents do.
What Should I Keep and What Can Go?
Don't throw anything away until it's been photographed and listed, and ask before you dispose of anything. Some items that look ruined can be cleaned. Some that look fine are holding smoke odor or soot you can't see. Electronics that sat in smoke shouldn't be plugged in until they've been checked.
Things like family photos, keepsakes and documents deserve special attention. Set them aside and tell us about them early.
How Do Spreadsheets Help?
A simple spreadsheet beats a notebook every time. Columns we suggest:
- Room
- Item and description
- Brand or model, if known
- Approximate age
- Quantity
- Condition (burned, smoke, water, okay)
- Photo reference
Keep it in one place and back it up. Add to it as things come back to you, because they will, usually at two in the morning.
What Does G3 and CMDR Do During This Process?
CMDR Restoration (TDLR RCO #1801), our mitigation partner, stabilizes the property and handles soot, odor and water removal. G3 Construction inspects and documents the structure room by room and writes the repair scope in Xactimate. We help coordinate contents documentation so the lists, photos and structure scope stay organized together in one file. You can read more on our fire and smoke restoration page and in our guide on what to do after a house fire.
How Long Does a Contents Inventory Take?
It depends on the size of the home and how much was affected. It's not a weekend project for most families. Pace yourself. A little every day is better than burning out trying to finish it all at once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to list every single item?
The more complete your list, the clearer the picture. Group small items, like "kitchen utensils, one drawer," when it makes sense.
Can smoke-damaged items be cleaned?
Some can and some can't. Leave that call to the professionals and don't try cleaning soot yourself.
Does G3 decide what my contents are worth?
No. G3 is your contractor. We help organize documentation, and we don't value contents or adjust claims.
What's the most common thing people forget?
What's inside closets, garages and attics. Open everything.
Need help getting organized after a fire? Call (945) 300-9018 or use the button below to get help with fire damage.
Keep learning: see our Fire & Smoke page, read Fire Damage Restoration in Argyle & North Texas | G3, or read what homeowners say in our customer reviews.
Know Your Next Step
Tell Us What's Happening.
We'll help you understand how G3 can help. Call (945) 300-9018 or use the button below.
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