What is a home inventory?

What are the advantages having a professional home inventory?

I have home owners insurance - isn't that enough?

How much does an inventory cost?

Should we gather receipts, appraisals and warrantee information?

How secure is my information? What do you do to insure privacy?

How long will an inventory take?

Do you do inventories of collections only?

What condition does my home have to be in for your appointment?

I Have a camera, why can't I do this myself?

Do you provide appraisals and insurance estimates?

What should be documented?

Q: What is a home inventory?
A: It is a detailed list of personal property located in and around your home or business. It consists of digital video of the outside including garage and any special landscaping and out-buildings. Inside of your home every room (and basement, if applicable) is recorded showing all contents documented in writing, digital photographs, and on digital video.

Q: What are the advantages having a professional home inventory?
A: We are an unbiased third party documenting your personal property. An Inventory of your property can be used to file a claim with your insurance company as proof of your ownership, helps you get your things replaced or returned if they are stolen, helps you determine how much insurance you should carry, and also for estate and financial planning. Having an itemized list helps the insurance claims process go more quickly and smoothly, also aids the police department should you be robbed. We have no personal gain in any settlement you may reach with an insurance company.

Q: I have homeowner’s insurance, isn’t that enough?
A: When a catastrophe occurs, documentation is the key factor in determining compensation from an insurance claim. Generalizations about property may result in a lesser amount paid to you. Property claims are handled based on “assumptions” and “standards”. While your insurance company may “assume” you have a color TV in your family room, they may also “assume” it is a “standard” 27” worth around $300. The reality is you may own a 42” plasma screen TV valued at over $3000. Talk with your insurance agent to go over your policy limitations.

Q: How much does an inventory cost?
A: Our service is unique and customized specifically to the needs of our clients. The cost for a complete home inventory is very affordable. We always suggest a consultation to look at your home and determine your needs before doing an inventory. The main factors in estimating the cost of an inventory are the square footage of your property, and any special items or collectables needing to be documented. We encourage you to call (570) 836-5450 for a no-obligation estimate.

Q: Should we gather receipts, appraisals and warrantee information?
A: Yes. It will help if you can have as much of your information available for items such as electronics, appliances, furniture, antiques, collectables, etc. The more information you provide – the more accurate your inventory, making it easier to recover the full value of items should they be stolen or destroyed. (it will also help the inventory go faster!)

Q: How secure is my information? What do you do to insure privacy?
A: Client account information is encrypted and stored on a password secured computer that is not connected to the Internet. All information is deleted from the computer at the completion of the documentation and stored in an off-site safe deposit box as a back-up copy. You will be given a confidentiality agreement at the time of the in-house appointment. We are similar to other services that come into your home such as a cleaning service. We are bonded and fully insured for your protection. We can provide the name and phone number of our insurance agent if you would like. Our reputation is everything therefore we guarantee not to sell or provide your information to any third party.

Q: How long will an inventory take?
A: Homes 1,800 to 2,100 sq. ft. require about 3-4 hours for the in-home portion of the inventory, depending on the amount of property to be documented and availability of information. Having receipts, appraisals, and product documentation ready and available will help expedite the process. Each home is unique and garages, basements or any extensive collections could require additional time.

Q: Do you do inventories of collections only?
A: Yes! You will be able to take your inventory to an insurance agent to ensure proper coverage for your collection.

Q: What condition does my home have to be in for your appointment?
A: It’s natural to want your home to look its best, but remember the purpose of a home inventory is to protect your belongings. You don’t need to change your lifestyle or spend hours cleaning and re-organizing before your inventory. We do ask that pets and children are supervised for safety purposes, both theirs and ours.

Q: I Have a camera, why can't I do this myself?
A: There is no reason you can't – in fact we do encourage it. But unfortunately, even with the best intentions, an inventory often gets put off or not completed until it's too late. Our service is fast, complete, professional and affordable. We do this for a living and have a process to ensure proper documentation with the utmost security of your personal inventory. Having a third party do your inventory adds credibility to the documentation and could require less additional proof during the claims process.

Q: Do you provide appraisals and insurance estimates?
A: No, we are not insurance agents or licensed appraisers so we cannot give estimates or appraisals. We will make recommendations on what items you may have that we feel should be appraised by a licensed professional.

Q: What should be documented?
A: All of your personal property such as appliances, furniture, electronics, jewelry, collectibles, antiques, art, furs, tools, imported carpets, etc.