Home Visit. We meet with you and take a house tour to determine what needs to be inventoried, interior and exterior. We go over our Rate Sheet and Service Descriptions with you to identify the level of service you prefer. There is no charge for this evaluation, which takes about an hour.

Follow Up. We give you our free estimate, which you approve by signing our Service Contract and Confidentiality Agreement. We then schedule the inventory appointment.

Home Preparation. We ask that you set out certain items to be included: one place setting of your china, crystal and silver, plus one-of-a-kind valuables normally out of sight.

Documentation. We would like to have whatever purchase receipts, appraisals, valuations, etc. that you have available — or your own estimates — to include in the itemized inventory. If you choose, we can supply names of licensed and certified appraisers for jewelry, art, antiques, and other collectibles.

Interior. We videotape and photograph full views of every room at all angles to show your possessions in their normal context. We also take close-up photos to capture interior construction details.

Contents. We videotape and photograph full views of the individual items to be inventoried. We take close-up photos from several angles to capture condition, design details, special markings, and signatures. We take measurements and notes on descriptive features, and record serial and model numbers.

Images. We edit the videotape to produce a cohesive visual record and burn it onto a DVD. Still photos are light- and color-corrected, reduced to thumbnails on the hard copy, and organized on a CD.

Records. We scan your purchase receipts, appraisals, estimates, valuations, and other documentation, and include them on the CD.

Inventory. We create a spreadsheet with a detailed written inventory that references video shots, photographs, scanned receipts and other records.

Portfolio. The finished package is a thorough, polished portfolio: a body of evidence that documents your home and its contents. The package includes a file and a system to note future purchases, gifts, renovations and other changes to include in your annual inventory update.

Client. You will receive one copy of the completed portfolio. Insurance industry experts recommend storing it in a safe deposit box.

Off-Site. One year of secure storage of your backup CDs and DVDs at Iron Mountain, the premier archival storage company, is included in all inventory packages. Additional storage may be purchased after the first year.

Security. To protect identity and confidentiality, we assign all records a Client Number and strike all names and addresses from documentation stored off-site.

Automatic. Our automated system will send you an annual reminder that an inventory update is due. Fees for inventory updates depend upon the initial Inventory Plan you choose, as well as the number of new items.