How to record a part that came from a dismantled item

Record the original position

After taking apart a desk for a move, put the left bracket screws in a bag marked “Desk, left bracket, four screws.” Keep the corresponding bracket with the bag. If multiple fasteners look similar, do not mix them until you have recorded how each set was used. Label the bag before moving on to another section. If the left and right brackets differ, photograph them in position with a non-sensitive reference that distinguishes the sides.

Make the unpacking order obvious

Put the bag and its matching part in the same labeled container where possible. List the count you actually removed: “Desk left bracket, four screws, one washer.” If a piece is missing or you are unsure where it came from, write that uncertainty on the label instead of quietly adding it to a similar-looking set.

Use the right source for reassembly

A household note records where things came from; it does not establish that a damaged or substituted part is safe. For a load-bearing fitting, use the manufacturer’s instructions or qualified help where needed. Keep the source picture until the item has been reassembled and checked.