Top 8 Contents Restoration & Pack-Out Templates Every Restorer Needs

After a flood or fire, homeowners usually aren’t thinking about their drywall and flooring—they’re thinking about their family photos, furniture, electronics, and personal keepsakes.

These are the items that make a house a home, and losing them can be just as devastating as the damage to the property itself. That’s why contents restoration is one of the most important and delicate parts of restoration, and without the right knowledge and approach, these belongings can be damaged further or lost altogether.

Having clear, proven processes for pack-outs and contents restoration ensures that every item is handled with care and precision, and the templates below give you just that. Pulled from KnowHow’s Industry-Standard Restoration Template Library, they are free to view and offer expert guidance for tackling every stage of the process.

But even better yet, for restoration teams using KnowHow, these templates can also be customized to fit company SOPs and added directly to their digital knowledge hub—so employees can access them anytime, anywhere, with just a few clicks.

Top 8 Contents Restoration & Pack-Out Templates for Restoration Professionals

Now, let’s dive into the KnowHow templates that help restoration teams pack, store, and restore contents with precision and care. Click on any template name below to open and view it for free.

1. Complete Furniture Pre-Cleaning Inspection

Before cleaning any furniture, a thorough pre-inspection is essential. This process helps identify pre-existing damage, determine the best cleaning methods, and prevent unexpected issues. From assessing fabric type and colorfastness to checking cushion integrity and reviewing manufacturer cleaning codes, this template ensures furniture is cleaned safely and effectively—leading to better results and higher customer satisfaction.

2. Conduct a Pack-Out on Location

A successful pack-out requires more than just boxing up items—it’s about organization, documentation, and protection. This template outlines best practices for preparing a site, taking inventory, securing valuables, tagging furniture, and packing boxes efficiently. It also covers photographing contents, working with homeowners on sensitive items, and ensuring everything is carefully tracked to avoid loss or damage.

3. Inventory a Total Loss on a Contents Job

When items are too damaged to restore, proper documentation is crucial for insurance claims. This template walks through the total loss inventory process, from assessing damage and creating detailed records to presenting findings to an adjuster and disposing of approved items. With clear documentation, restorers can streamline claims and ensure clients receive proper compensation.

4. Correctly Store Contents in Vaults

Storing contents safely in a vault protects them from further damage while maximizing warehouse space. This template covers proper stacking, labeling, and securing of items, ensuring fragile and high-value contents—like electronics, artwork, and glass—are stored separately. By following these steps, restorers can maintain an organized, efficient warehouse and prevent unnecessary losses.

5. Clean Affected Electronics

Electronics are some of the most expensive and delicate contents to restore. This template explains when electronics can be salvaged, how to safely clean soot- or smoke-damaged devices, and when to involve a qualified technician. With proper handling, restorers can maximize recovery rates and reduce unnecessary replacements for their clients.

6. Clean Finished Wood Furniture

Restoring finished wood furniture requires careful cleaning to remove soot, odors, and residue without damaging protective coatings. This template provides step-by-step guidance on testing surfaces, selecting the right cleaning method, and polishing wood to restore its original appearance—all while preventing over-cleaning that could strip finishes or cause discoloration.

7. Clean Smoke-Damaged Paper Documents and Books

Paper-based items like books, documents, and photographs require specialized care after fire or smoke exposure. This template covers proper drying methods, surface cleaning techniques, and deodorization options to restore valuable paper goods while minimizing further deterioration.

8. Clean Affected Artwork

Restoring artwork after a disaster is a delicate process that requires precision and patience. This template guides professionals through careful pre-cleaning, testing surfaces for safe cleaning methods, and using specialized techniques to remove smoke damage without harming valuable pieces. It also highlights when to involve professional conservators for high-value or heavily damaged artwork.

Restore Better with KnowHow

Restoring a home is about more than just repairing walls and floors—it’s about recovering what matters most to homeowners. From pack-outs to detailed cleaning processes, having a clear, standardized approach ensures that valuable belongings are handled with care and returned in the best possible condition.

With KnowHow’s Contents Restoration & Pack-Out templates, your team has access to proven, industry-standard processes that streamline every step, reducing errors and increasing efficiency. These templates are just a small part of the 1,000+ restoration guides available in KnowHow, all of which can be customized to fit your company’s exact workflows.

Want to see how KnowHow can help your team work smarter? Book a time with our team today to learn more.