Inventory the shed by physical zone, not by the perfect catalogue you hope to build. Give every zone a label, photograph it, then create one useful record for each part or sensible bundle.
Garage checklist
- Zone map
- Shelf, box or vehicle label
- Wide photo before moving stock
- Part or bundle name
- Numbers and dimensions
- Condition and unknowns
- Likely vehicle fitment
- Keep, project, sell, swap or recycle decision
Start with zones
Name each shelf, wall, box stack, loft area and donor vehicle. Photograph the zone before sorting. This creates a recoverable baseline when the work has to stop halfway through.
Bundle without hiding uncertainty
Small related fasteners, trim clips or assemblies can share one record when the relationship is clear. Do not bundle unrelated mystery parts merely to reduce the count; that pushes the identification problem onto the next owner.
Record enough to find it again
A useful record needs a zone, photos, likely name, visible numbers, rough dimensions, condition and a plain note about what remains unknown. Precise private garage locations do not belong in a public listing.
Choose the next use
Mark stock for a current project, donor evidence, sale, swap, giveaway or responsible recycling. Search owned stock before buying another part and preserve the old record when a part moves into a Build Record.
Limits and safety
Do not move unstable stacks, heavy assemblies, fuel containers, batteries or hazardous material without the right handling and storage controls.
Evidence and sources
- Owner-controlled stock photographs and labels
- Local council guidance for automotive fluids, batteries and hazardous waste