There are various benefits to preparing a detailed home inventory before you start your international relocation from Kenya. It serves as a checklist to ensure you have received all your belongings – in proper condition – upon arrival. You know exactly what items you had at origin in Kenya and what items you should have at your international destination. It can also nudge you to check your homeowners’ insurance to ensure you still have appropriate coverage for your personal belongings. 
In order to create a proper home inventory, it requires a bit more effort than simply walking around your home with a pen and paper. You should document exactly what you own, approximate values and where it goes to. We also recommend to record the condition of items that have existing damage or that need special care.
This is how to get started
Before you start, make sure to purge all those items that won’t be moving with you. You can create a pen-and-paper inventory as you walk through all the single rooms in your house or you might prefer an electronic inventory, using either an xls sheet or suitable home inventory software. Take some photos or videos of your valuables, fragile items and of your electronic devices. Also scan or photograph important receipts and documents. Store your files and receipts with the home inventory so everything’s in one place and can be easily retrieved.
Create your own inventory list
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First of all, copy important documents and store them separately from your originals to keep them safe in case the originals are lost or damaged. Consider backing up your electronic files onto an external device.
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Take photos or videos of your valuables (if desired).
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Make a list of your belongings. At the very least, your inventory list should have the date and the following columns:
- Item
- Value
- Room
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Prepare documentation of your items (a cost estimate, the actual price or the appraisal value). If you need to make a claim to your home insurance company or to your movers, you’ll know the value of each item.
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If you note the room, it will help you place the items in your new home more easily.
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Always cover one room at a time so your list remains organized and clear. Open drawers and cabinets. One-room-at-a-time is also a good way to pack when you are ready for that.
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Open your jewellery boxes, toolboxes and other storage bins to record everything that is valuable inside.
- Also include any larger items on your inventory list and note the brand, model and serial number.
This is how you secure your inventory list
Make some copies immediately after completion and store these in different places for easy reference as needed. Give one copy to a relative or to a close friend in case your copy is lost during the move or damaged in case of flood or fire in your home. Another good option is to store your home inventory in your safe deposit box. On the day of your move, we recommend to take the packing list in your hand luggage so that you’ll have it available when you’re ready to unpack in your new home.
This home inventory documentation will be useful in the very unlikely event that there are lost or damaged items after having completed your international move. Crown Relocations is proud to have one of the highest-rated records for claim-free relocations in the moving industry. In addition, our CrownCare Protection Programs provide complete and comprehensive coverage of your belongings so you can enjoy peace of mind.