Why Chain of Custody Matters in Contents Restoration

How inventory tracking and documentation help improve your accountability and organization during contents restoration

Hello and welcome back to the final tip of this month’s series of Technical Tip Tuesday on contents and packouts. We’re joined by David Gavilanes from Blue Kangaroo Packoutz.

The last three week’s we’ve covered materials, labeling, prioritizing, and ultrasonic cleaning. We’re closing out the series with one of the most crucial parts of contents and packouts which is the chain of custody and inventory.

David keeps it plain and simple. At the end of the day, we’re still providing a service and you have to prove it. That’s where a strong chain of custody comes in, it allows you as restorers to clearly demonstrate that your work is organized and complete, you can justify your billing, and transparency across the entire process.

Every detail matters from the initial assessment to the packout, which means documentation is everything. You need to know how many boxes there are, how many items are in each box, how many vaults you’re using for storage, and so on. This is your inventory and it the backbone and heartbeat of this process.

The chain of custody works hand in hand with your inventory, and it goes far beyond documentation. It is rooted in accountability. This means that every item is tracked, has a time stamp, and is recorded. This eliminates guesswork and confusion. This level of transparency protects everyone involved.

The chain of custody plays a crucial role throughout the entire job, especially at the end when the contents are returned and follows the same chain of custody that allows you and your team to reconcile every single item.

This wraps up our Technical Tip Series on contents and packouts. A huge thank you to David Gavilanes for joining us and sharing his expertise.

We will see you next month for a new series of Technical Tip Tuesday. Take care!

Tips in This Series

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Kayla McGowan is the SPAR Partner Manager for PuroClean, where she manages and strengthens the company’s vendor partnership ecosystem. In her role, she serves as a key liaison between PuroClean, approved vendor partners, internal stakeholders, and Franchise Owners, helping connect the network with trusted tools, services, and products that support operational success.

With more than 10 years of experience in marketing and communications within the restoration and cleaning industry, Kayla has built her career around connecting people, ideas, and resources that move the industry forward. She is the former Editor-in-Chief of Restoration & Remediation (R&R) Magazine and continues to contribute to R&R as a writer, bringing her industry knowledge and perspective to its audience.

Kayla holds a B.S. in Criminal Science and an M.S. in Public Safety and Emergency Management from Grand Canyon University. She also serves as Co-Chair of the Restoration Industry Association’s Marketing Committee.

Her industry credentials include Microbial Warrior®️, Certified Forensic Operator®️, and High Risk/High Level Decontamination Specialist™️. Passionate about elevating the restoration industry and the professionals within it, Kayla enjoys building meaningful relationships, sharing knowledge, and creating opportunities for collaboration. Outside of work, she is a food lover who enjoys spending time with her family and being outdoors.