Calling your home insurance provider is one of the first things you should do after a flood occurs. They’ll often cover your restoration services, and they’ll take care of replacing the value of any items lost. An important part of your work with your insurance provider is to take an inventory after the flood, and this is used to determine the settlement you’ll receive. Most homeowners have never taken an inventory of their belongings before, and when faced with the stress of a flood in their home, they may find the task overwhelming as they’re trying to get their home life back in order. 

Knowing how to take an inventory before a flood occurs is a great way to keep a clear mind when the time really counts. 

Tips For Taking Inventory After Your Flood 

A few tips can make the inventory process much easier after a flood. A few tips for taking better inventory include: 

• Use a spreadsheet – A spreadsheet can help to make your inventory far more organized, and it’ll present a clear picture for your homeowner’s insurance provider. You can begin your inventory on a standard pad of paper as you investigate what property has been lost or damaged, but the information should be transferred to a spreadsheet format to ensure it’s easy to read for both you and any insurance adjusters who may be viewing it. 

• Visit a big box store to determine values – If you’re unsure what that TV is really worth, or how much you paid for the washer and dryer, visiting a big box store can be a huge help. These stores often host registries for weddings and other events, and you can use a scanner to gather retail values a collect them all in one place. 

• Report promptly – It might be tempting to put off calling your claims adjuster or taking inventory until you learn what is salvageable and what is not, but reporting your flood loss promptly is always recommended. This gets the ball rolling on your settlement claim and your restoration. 

• Invest in a 3 ring binder – You’re going to find quite quickly that there is a lot of information to be collected after a flood, and keeping all of these documents organized and within reach is important. Invest in a 3 ring binder and hole punch to ensure you can keep all related documents in one safe place you can always refer to later down the road. This binder can be used to keep insurance and restoration information all throughout the flood cleanup process. 

Here To Take Care Of You 

Restoration professionals are here to take care of you after a flood occurs, getting your property back to a healthy and safe state once again. Our professionals are able to restore your salvageable belongings and prevent flood damage from occurring again. If your home has experienced a flood and you’re interested in learning more about what we can do for you, contact us at Blackhill Restoration today.