"I then print the inventory for them and they can sit down for 20 minutes and check off dollar values and places of purchase and if there is anything I have missed."
Hi Kelly, I can assure you there are many others that are doing very well in their Home Inventory business... unfortunately as folks get quite busy with their business, they don't have as much time to visit the Message Board....but do pop in and out as time permits.
HI Kelley and Kristina, I just got done with another inventory today- rental unit 2500 sq ft my original estimate was 5 hours and fully furnished so we really had to make note of everything they are leaving behind-(going out of country). I really emphasized each time I spoke with my client(4-5 times prior) that they are to be present the entire time and they were. We went around the room once to see what needed inventoried and if I had a ? they would be close by, then I let them know what pictures I took and if we needed to move anything I would ask first. I never opened drawers by myself, they opened it and let me know what items to take pics of. I would always ask permission b4 I moved into the next room. Total time was actually 4 1/2 hours with videotaping as well. We did not place any $$ on their items, they had been preparing the home for rental so they had a nice 2 inch binder they were using and placing every manual and receipts in there. My services does not include scanning, it is optional at $49 hour, They opted not to do that so I simply did make/model and serial numbers instead. I gave them a new 3 inch D-ring binder compliments of my company because theirs were overfilled. So they liked that very much. I now will be preparing their info. Hope this helps.
I agree, it seems since we got this board everyone has gone away. Anyways, I have done a couple of houses for inventories. Your right, you can't ask them to follow me while I inventory, so what I have done is asked them if they don't mind me opening drawers, etc. I will document everything I feel needs documenting (I have a pretty good eye for valueables). I then print the inventory for them and they can sit down for 20 minutes and check off dollar values and places of purchase and if there is anything I have missed. I have found that most people aren't to concerned about me in their home (maybe its because I am a women).
Except for, Ari I'm not hearing from anyone who is actually making a living doing this...
I inventoried my own apartment. It was an eye opener. It was easy for me to overlook things. I couldn't get great pics of shiny stuff and don't have the money yet to buy a better camera or a light tent.
I wasn't sure how far to drill down. I am a woman. I have a lot of hair accessories. They add up. Same with makeup.
I don't know how anyone is going to be able to value their stuff. How am I going to get a serial number off a stove? How am I going to get people to buy into following me around? If they don't, do I open drawers and photograph contents? It's obviously not just about what's visible to the eye. Just think about how much work clothing adds up to? Or shoes?
I'm not ready to give up. I just wish I could go with someone (on an inventory) who has some experience. Or at least hear from someone. Lately this board is so quiet.
Lucia Your best bet is to purchase the kit and get the fantastic software. Learning the software will help you decide how to take your pictures.
Pantry - depends upon what is in it. If there are small appliances have the owner take them out - you don't want to handle the customers stuff or as little as possible because of damages that can happen - then get indivudual shots plus serial numbers, make and model. If the pantry has a lot of consumable items - food or paper products then a group shot is ok to show what they have.
I don't put an estimated price on anything that I inventory. I let the home owner do that. Reason - fo rlegal purposes and I am not an appraiser nor do I want to be one.
Three bookcases - it depends upon how they are located in the room. If they can get into a group shot do a group shot and then do each bookcase in a photo. You may want to take individual pictures of each shelf also depending upon what is on those shelves. Sometimes I need to do all three types of shots. You don't want to miss anything that is of value to the customer.
Ok, I did a practice run today for my husband's cousin and her husband. They have a 2300 sq.ft house and it was very difficult in that I wasn't sure what I was supposed to inventory.
For instance, under her kitchen island, she had a blender and mixer (which I inventoried) but she also had alot of pyrex dishes and such. Do I take one picture of all of those items and them give a estimated $ amout. Alot of those items were wedding gifts. Also, the pantry. How do I do that? I do have one more question. I went into her living room and she had 3 different built in bookshelves. And each of those shelves had framed photos. Do I take 3 separate shots and give a total amount? Or should I group all of them and take one picture.
I sure wish I had the kit you are talking about and am planning on seriously purchasing it.
Now I know I'm not ready and that is why I am asking these questions because you all have such great advise.
