Why belongings leave the house
After a fire, the things inside a house need as much attention as the walls. Soot and odor settle into fabrics and furniture, electronics pull in smoke, and anything left in place gets in the way of the cleaning and rebuilding. A contents pack-out moves belongings out of the building, so they can be inventoried, cleaned and stored while the structure is restored, and so they aren't damaged further by demolition and dust.
Inventory first
A careful pack-out starts with a room-by-room inventory. Each item, or group of items, is photographed and listed before it's boxed, along with its condition. Boxes are labeled by room. This record matters for two reasons: it tells you exactly where your things are, and if you have insurance it becomes part of your claim for what was damaged or destroyed. Ask to see the inventory format before the crew starts, and ask for a copy when they finish.
What gets cleaned, and how
- Hard items. Dishes, decor, tools and many household objects can be cleaned by hand or in ultrasonic tanks, where sound waves in a cleaning solution lift soot from crevices.
- Clothing and textiles. Many fabrics can be laundered or dry cleaned with processes made for smoke odor. Results vary with the fabric and the residue.
- Furniture. Wood furniture can often be cleaned and refinished; upholstered pieces are harder, because smoke penetrates the padding.
- Electronics. Soot inside electronics can be corrosive and conductive. Don't switch on anything that was exposed to heavy smoke until it's been looked at. Some restoration companies work with electronics cleaning specialists.
- Documents and photos. Paper that got wet from firefighting can sometimes be saved by freezing and drying. Tell the crew early about anything irreplaceable.
What usually can't be saved
Food, medicine and cosmetics that were exposed to heat, smoke or firefighting water are generally thrown away, even if the packaging looks fine. Mattresses, pillows and soft items soaked in smoke often aren't worth cleaning. Anything charred or melted is usually a loss. Don't throw anything away before it's documented: photograph it and keep it on the list, and if you have insurance, ask your adjuster how they want discarded items handled.
Storage
Cleaned belongings usually go into storage until the house is ready. Ask where it is, whether it's climate-controlled, whether your things are kept separate from other customers', how you can get to something you need, and how storage is charged. Restoration can take months, so storage time adds up.
Pack-back
When the house is finished, the contents come back. A good company returns items to the rooms they came from, checks them against the inventory with you, and notes anything missing or damaged in transit.
Keepsakes and judgment calls
Some things are worth more to you than any price list says: a grandparent's quilt, a child's drawings, a shelf of books. Cleaning them can cost more than replacing an ordinary item would. Tell the company which pieces matter most, so they're handled first and you can decide together what's worth restoring.
Questions to ask
- How will you inventory and photograph everything, and when do I get a copy?
- Which items will you clean on site, and which will go to your facility?
- How do you handle electronics, documents and photos?
- Where will my belongings be stored, and how is storage charged?
- How do I get something out of storage if I need it?
- How will pack-back work, and how do we check everything is back?