Why Box Resources Matter
Your cleaning price list likely includes two different billing methods:
1. Bill-By-Item (Regular Boxes)
Each item inside the box is billed individually.
This is ideal when the cleaning cost varies per item or when items require their own scan history.
Examples:
Electronics (laptops, DSLR cameras, projectors)
High-value items
Garments requiring individual billing
2. Flat-Rate Cleaning Boxes
The entire box is billed at a flat rate based on box size/type—regardless of the number of items inside.
This method dramatically speeds up pack-out inventory and reduces admin workload.
Examples:
Dishes
Toys
Drawer contents
Mixed household items
These boxes do not appear as itemized lines in pricing reports. Instead, pricing views show the number of boxes by type, each billed at its flat rate.
iCat supports both methods so your billing can reflect the true scope and efficiency of your workflow.
Why Set Up Cleaning Box Resources Early
Even if your company bills time-and-materials or uses simplified pricing, using Cleaning Boxes during pack-out:
Reduces on-site inventory time
Reduces admin time reviewing descriptions
Minimizes errors caused by over-detailing low-value items
This workflow improvement alone can save hours or days across a multi-room pack-out.
Create Flat-Rate Cleaning Box Resources
Before adding boxes, ensure you understand the Flat-Rate Cleaning Box method.
(See corresponding training video if needed.)
Recommended Examples
Cleaning Box – Small
Cleaning Box – Medium
Cleaning Box – Large
Cleaning Box – Specialty (optional)
These resources allow technicians to simply:
Scan the box
Select the Cleaning Box resource (green background)
Take group photos
AI provides a general description, and the billing software handles the flat-rate charge.
Add Bill-By-Item (Regular) Box Resources
iCat includes 3 default Regular Box Types:
Small Box
Medium Box
Large Box
You may want to add specialized versions depending on your mix of claims:
Electronics Box – Medium
Lamp Box
Picture Frame Box
Dry-Clean-Only Garments Box
Hand-Wash Garments Box
Anything placed in these boxes will be billed individually by line item.
Important Notes
Tag Your Resources Correctly
Cleaning Boxes = Flat-Rate Billing
Regular Boxes = Bill-By-Item Billing
Notify Your Field Teams
Whenever you add, remove, or modify a box resource, road crews must:
Log into their device
Download the updated catalog
Pricing & Reporting Behavior
In pricing views and exports:
Regular Boxes: you will see each individually priced line item
Cleaning Boxes: you will NOT see individual items—only:
The number of Cleaning Boxes by type
The cleaning charge per box
This simplifies your invoice and ensures accurate billing for mixed low-value contents.