Property Checklist
Fire and smoke contents checklist
A contents inventory checklist after fire, smoke, soot, odor, water from firefighting, pack-out, cleaning, storage, disposal, and rebuild.
Best for: Homeowners and renters documenting contents after kitchen fires, small fires, smoke spread, soot, odor, or firefighting water.
Use when: Use this before contents are packed out, cleaned, discarded, stored, or replaced.
Do not re-enter a fire-damaged structure until local fire, utility, building, or qualified safety professionals say it is safe.
Plain English
What proof should I save before cleanup changes things?
Use this to save photos, dates, receipts, readings, quotes, repair proof, and damaged-item notes.
Start here: Check the boxes you already have, then use the missing boxes as your question list.
Room-by-room inventory
Contents proof gets weaker once items are moved, cleaned, stored, or discarded.
Wide room photos
CoreCapture each affected room before pack-out or disposal.
Item close-ups
CorePhotograph high-value, smoke-affected, soot-covered, water-damaged, and discarded items.
Purchase proof
Save receipts, model numbers, serial numbers, app screenshots, manuals, warranties, and replacement links where available.
Clean, store, discard, replace
Contents work should separate salvageable items from unsalvageable items and storage decisions.
Pack-out list
Ask for inventory, storage location, cleaning plan, and return process.
Discard approval
Photograph and record items before disposal; ask insurer or adjuster what proof is needed.
Cleaning and odor scope
Document textile, electronics, furniture, paper, clothing, and specialty item handling.
Related damage proof
Fire contents often intersect with structure, smoke, HVAC, electrical, and water damage.
Fire/smoke restoration scope
Keep the restoration estimate and exclusions.
Water damage from firefighting
Photograph wet floors, walls, ceilings, cabinets, insulation, and contents.
Temporary housing receipts
Save hotel, meals, mileage, pet, storage, laundry, and other displacement receipts.
Before you act
- Run the fire and smoke damage calculator before assuming the burn area is the full cost.
- Use contents inventory proof before pack-out, disposal, or replacement.
- Ask insurer, adjuster, restoration company, and qualified professionals what documents they need.
Decision packet prompt
Build a packet with room photos, contents inventory, pack-out list, discard proof, cleaning scope, temporary housing receipts, fire/smoke scope, and rebuild questions.
Open the decision packetUse this before requesting or accepting an estimate
A checklist is useful before monetization: collect the evidence first, then use it to run the calculator, compare the bid, build the packet, or request a cleaner estimate. Do not send private claim documents through Kefiw unless a page explicitly explains how that information is handled.
Checklist FAQ
Should I wait to use this checklist until the claim is open?
No. The checklist is useful before cleanup, before signing, before filing, before an adjuster visit, and before sale or rental documentation conversations.
Does this checklist decide coverage or contract terms?
No. It helps organize proof and questions. Verify policy, contract, safety, legal, and local-rule issues with qualified sources.
What should I do after completing it?
Run the related calculator, build the Property Decision Packet, compare the bid, or request an estimate only after the key proof and missing questions are visible.