Dallas–Fort Worth — How a Packout Actually Runs
Here's What Happens When You Hand This Off Today.
Most homeowners are trying to figure out what they're committing to before they make the call. Here's exactly how a packout runs — from the first walkthrough to the moment your contents come back home.
Trying to understand what you're committing to?what to do after water damage·how the insurance packout process works
If You're About to Hand Off a Packout — Trying to Understand the Process
If you're on this page right now, you're probably:
- trying to figure out what a packout actually involves before committing
- wondering how long your contents will be out of the home
- concerned about how items get tracked, stored, and brought back
- trying to understand what's billed to the carrier vs. you
- worried about something fragile, irreplaceable, or high-value
- looking for a process you can trust before you sign anything
The longer the contents side waits to start, the more the rebuild slips — and the longer your home stays unlivable.
You don't need to guess how this works.
You need a 10-step documented process today — from first walkthrough through pack-back, with one Project Manager on it the entire time.
Quick Answer
If you're about to start a packout, here's the order:
- Walkthrough and consultation — we set the scope and timeline.
- Photo inventory — every item documented before anything moves.
- Insurance approval and direct-to-carrier billing.
- Professional packout, wrap, and labeled storage.
- Climate-controlled storage we manage directly.
- Pack-back and unpacking when your home is ready.
The step most people don't expect is #2 — full photo inventory before a single box gets packed. That's what protects the claim and your contents the entire way through.
Our 10-Step Packout Process
Here's the full sequence — we run it the same way, every job:
- 01Consultation & walkthrough — Project Manager assigned
- 02Detailed photo inventory before any packing
- 03Insurance approval and direct-to-carrier billing← This is us
- 04Professional packout — fully equipped crew
- 05Furniture protection — blanket-wrapped, labeled, mattress-bagged
- 06Specialty item handling (art, electronics, pool tables, chandeliers)← This is us
- 07Transport in our own fleet — no subcontracting
- 08Secure climate-controlled storage we manage directly← This is us
- 09Contents return — checked against the original photo inventory
- 10Final cleanup and walk-through with you← This is us
Same process, every job. One Project Manager from start to finish.
Who This Process Serves
Homeowners Going Through a Loss
You shouldn't have to understand insurance restoration to get your home back. We run the process so you don't have to.
- One Project Manager you call for everything
- Photo inventory protects every item
- Direct-to-carrier billing — no out-of-pocket surprises
Send the address. We'll walk you through it today.
Adjusters Looking for a Repeatable Contents Process
Same documentation, same scope format, same chain of custody every time. Nothing improvised.
- Photo inventory delivered with the contents scope
- Xactimate-formatted line items
- Pack-back coordinated to the rebuild date
Send the loss. The process runs the same way every time.
GCs Coordinating Around a Packout
Demo can't start with the house full. Our process is sequenced so you're not waiting on contents.
- Building cleared on your schedule
- Pack-back coordinated to your rebuild completion
- One contact for the entire contents side
Get the house cleared. Start demo on time.
Where Are You in the Process?
If the loss just happened, see what to do after water damage →
If you're worried about throwing the wrong thing out, see what items are non-salvageable →
If you want to know the most common mistakes, see homeowner mistakes after fire or water damage →
If you're wondering where contents go during the rebuild, see contents storage during reconstruction →
If you need to understand insurance billing, see how insurance packout works →
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the entire packout process take?
The packout itself is typically one day. The full cycle — packout through pack-back — runs as long as your restoration takes. That can be 3 weeks to 6 months. We store as long as needed.
Do I need to be home for the packout?
Helpful for the initial walkthrough so you can flag priority items, but you don't need to stay for the full job.
How do you decide what gets packed?
We follow the scope set by your adjuster. Most jobs include the full affected area plus adjacent rooms at risk of secondary damage.
Can I access my belongings during storage?
Yes. Contact your Project Manager and we'll arrange access — everything is labeled and trackable.
What if I need a full move instead of a packout?
We coordinate with our moving division — Stonebriar Moving Services — for full relocations across DFW.
Same process, every job.
Send the address — we start today.
We respond within minutes.
Need immediate help? Start a packout request