Personal contents cleaning and packout
Personal contents are usually the personal pride of
an individual. Structures can be repaired and repainted,
but contents have a unique intrinsic value that
often exceeds even monetary considerations. Contents
are valued as a result of their real value, antique
value, or sentimental value. A professional restoration
company will be able to differentiate between these
values to allow for an appropriate determination on
the cost effectiveness of the cleaning process.
Determine value of contents
for cleaning and packout
Real value means the amount of money necessary
to replace the item. It is important to realize
the difference in replacement costs and actual
cash values. Actual cash values will take into
consideration the age and/or the pre-loss condition
of the item. True replacement cost will only deal
with how much it will cost to purchase at today's
prices, regardless of age or condition. It must
be understood that "like kind and quality"
are often the ruling words here. With the ever-changing
technological advances in electronics, for instance,
what was expensive at the time of original purchase
may not be as expensive in today's market place.
Antique value does not consider replacement
but rather how much appreciated value the item
has acquired due to age, originality, condition,
rarity, and demand. Authentic antiques should
be appropriately "scheduled" on an insurance
policy. Often times, a qualified appraisal or
expert may be necessary for authentication of
true antique value. Pre-loss condition may become
an important issue dependent on the severity of
the loss at hand. Professional restoration firms
know that just because the homeowner says that
the piece is old, does not necessarily mean it
is valuable or an antique.
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Sentimental value, on the other hand, is value
associated with an item that means more to an individual
than money, and often could cause more emotional distress
than monetary loss. These are items that cannot be replaced
and can leave a psychological scar as a result of the
loss. Sentimental values of items are often connected
to the "heartstrings" of an individual's past
such as families, friendships, affectionate relationships,
and memories. Family photographs will usually fall in
the category of sentimental value.
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Saving personal treasures
Although sentimental values are not insurable,
a great deal of "good will" can be created
with the homeowner when dealing with these items.
A professional restoration specialist will often
be able to endure minimal expense to salvage some
of a family's personal treasures.
Professional restoration companies have a responsibility
to consider all these "values" when
processing a claim for the insured. Restoration
firms must also be able to implement a process
to help make the distinctions between real, antique,
and sentimental values. A professional restoration
firm will be able to help in the determination
between real value and perceived value.
Artwork of all media forms falls into an area
of limited risk. Restoration professionals must
realize that the liability of processing an "average"
smoke-damaged painting is directly related to
its value. Restoration firms that attempt to clean
artwork must be prepared to make compensation
for its real value if damaged during the restorative
process. Items must be qualified. Expensive, high-end
pieces must be restored only by specialists from
the restorative art industry. A professional restoration
firm will be able to arrange for an appropriate
specialist to properly handle the piece in question.
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Collections
Let's not forget about collections. They come in all
shapes, sizes, and items. People will collect anything,
and yes, some do collect junk. After all, one man's
junk is another man's treasure. Although these items
may be very important to the individual, sentimental
value along with perceived value is often involved.
Whether the collections are coins, stamps, glassware,
pottery, matchbook covers, baseball cards, or "Precious
Moments" figurines, a professional restoration
firm will be able to evaluate the potential value and
the ability to effectively salvage the items to allow
for an appropriate course of action to take. PuroClean
will evaluate, clean contents are
packout all items if required following water damage,
fire damage or during a mold removal project.
Professional restoration companies like PuroClean
Home Rescue (866-722-7876) are dedicated to satisfying
the customer and to ease the trauma of a loss by knowing
how to or who to call to restore those most important
personal possessions of the customer. Cost will always
be an issue in the process, but being able to differentiate
between the real values, the antique values, and the
sentimental values will enable the professional to aide
in the process of reducing the cost of the claim and
satisfying the homeowner.
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