How to Do a Home Inventory (Without Losing Your Mind)

You know you should do a home contents inventory. You've known for years. Every time you renew your insurance, you think about it. And then you don't, because where do you even start?

Here's the good news: it doesn't need to be perfect. Any record is better than no record. Here are a few approaches, from simplest to most thorough.

The quick video method

Walk through every room with your phone recording. Narrate as you go: "This is the living room, we've got the Samsung TV, the Sonos speaker, the couch is from King." Open drawers and cupboards. Don't miss the garage and shed.

This takes about 20 minutes for a typical 3-bedroom home and gives you video evidence that's surprisingly useful in a claim.

The spreadsheet method

Create columns for: item, room, estimated value, purchase date, serial number (if applicable). Go room by room. This is more structured but takes 2-4 hours for most homes.

The problem: most people start this and never finish. If you're going to try it, commit to doing one room per day over a week.

The app method

Modern inventory apps use AI to speed up the process. You record a walkthrough, the AI transcribes and categorises what you mention, and you get a structured inventory without the manual data entry.

WHIG takes this approach: a 20-minute video walkthrough that's processed into a categorised, valued inventory.

Tips for any method

• Don't forget the small stuff. Drawers, cupboards, and closets hold more value than you think.
• Include serial numbers for electronics over $500. One photo of the label is enough.
• Keep receipts for major purchases. Forward them to a dedicated email folder.
• Update annually. Set a calendar reminder after your insurance renewal.
• Store it off-site. Your inventory isn't helpful if it's destroyed along with everything else. Cloud storage or a relative's house.

The best inventory is the one you actually complete. Start today. Even a partial record is vastly better than nothing.