Frequently asked questions -
What is a residential Professional Organizer?
A residential Professional Organizer works with clients in their homes to help them take control of their time and space. We listen to the needs of our clients. We teach skills and strategies to fulfill our clients' goals. We facilitate the processes of sorting, organizing, and storing so that the client can easily find items quickly. Professional Organizers guide clients toward the best methods, products, and skills based on individual strengths and preferences. An organizer always leaves the decisions to keep, donate, or throw things away to the clients themselves. There is no pressure to get rid of things.
A residential Professional Organizer works with clients in their homes to help them take control of their time and space. We listen to the needs of our clients. We teach skills and strategies to fulfill our clients' goals. We facilitate the processes of sorting, organizing, and storing so that the client can easily find items quickly. Professional Organizers guide clients toward the best methods, products, and skills based on individual strengths and preferences. An organizer always leaves the decisions to keep, donate, or throw things away to the clients themselves. There is no pressure to get rid of things.
How do I contact you and how do I know you are the right professional organizer for me?
You can call or email to set up a time to talk on the telephone. We offer two opportunities for you to get to know us before you make a commitment. First, we offer a free 60 minute phone consultation where you describe your situation and ask questions about how we work. Second, you may set up a complimentary in-home meeting that lasts about an hour. This meeting is not an assessment nor an estimate, it is simply a time for you to show the areas that need to be organized and again ask questions. Meeting in person can make you feel at ease and help you decide whether you would feel comfortable working with us. You are free to hire us or not.
You can call or email to set up a time to talk on the telephone. We offer two opportunities for you to get to know us before you make a commitment. First, we offer a free 60 minute phone consultation where you describe your situation and ask questions about how we work. Second, you may set up a complimentary in-home meeting that lasts about an hour. This meeting is not an assessment nor an estimate, it is simply a time for you to show the areas that need to be organized and again ask questions. Meeting in person can make you feel at ease and help you decide whether you would feel comfortable working with us. You are free to hire us or not.
What can I expect when an organizer comes to my home?
Generally we ask lots of questions about your space and your goals, your needs and expectations, your past history of neatness or messiness, your family situation, and your preferred learning method. We are not being nosy but we use this information in order to create a customized plan to help you get to where you want to go. Armed with this information we create an outline or project management plan as a road map for achieving the goals. and schedule the first working visit (or begin at once) to start on a simple, achievable area. A client can expect the first working visit to proceed a bit slowly as client and organizer get to know each other and begin to set up storage areas and systems and as we develop the give and take that is necessary for efficient work. Once the relationship is established work generally progresses more quickly like a well-oiled machine. Regular weekly or biweekly visits are common and desirable for large goals such as organizing a whole house or for extremely cluttered areas or tight schedules such as moving, which has deadlines to be met.
Generally we ask lots of questions about your space and your goals, your needs and expectations, your past history of neatness or messiness, your family situation, and your preferred learning method. We are not being nosy but we use this information in order to create a customized plan to help you get to where you want to go. Armed with this information we create an outline or project management plan as a road map for achieving the goals. and schedule the first working visit (or begin at once) to start on a simple, achievable area. A client can expect the first working visit to proceed a bit slowly as client and organizer get to know each other and begin to set up storage areas and systems and as we develop the give and take that is necessary for efficient work. Once the relationship is established work generally progresses more quickly like a well-oiled machine. Regular weekly or biweekly visits are common and desirable for large goals such as organizing a whole house or for extremely cluttered areas or tight schedules such as moving, which has deadlines to be met.
How can I benefit from hiring a Professional Organizer?
A Professional Organizer makes the process of getting organized go faster and easier than it would alone. You can take advantage of the experience that a Professional Organizer has gained from working with a variety of clients. Organizers gain ongoing education at seminars, through research, and from classes to learn current organizing methods from new closet systems to digital filing systems to new research on human psychology. Organizers share proven tips and tricks as well as a wealth of knowledge about the latest organizing products. A Professional can makes the process of getting organized painless and fun with the results aesthetically pleasing and calming.
A Professional Organizer makes the process of getting organized go faster and easier than it would alone. You can take advantage of the experience that a Professional Organizer has gained from working with a variety of clients. Organizers gain ongoing education at seminars, through research, and from classes to learn current organizing methods from new closet systems to digital filing systems to new research on human psychology. Organizers share proven tips and tricks as well as a wealth of knowledge about the latest organizing products. A Professional can makes the process of getting organized painless and fun with the results aesthetically pleasing and calming.
"I am too embarrassed to let anyone see my space."
Relax. Professional Organizers are just that - professional. They became organizers to help people. They care, are empathetic, are non-judgmental, confidential, and often use humor (in a good way) to maintain a relaxed atmosphere. They help you make progress while offering support and encouragement. Getting organized is a skill that can be learned. If you apply yourself you will succeed. Professional Organizers often give homework to speed up the process and to allow you to experience success independently. It is a learning process.
Relax. Professional Organizers are just that - professional. They became organizers to help people. They care, are empathetic, are non-judgmental, confidential, and often use humor (in a good way) to maintain a relaxed atmosphere. They help you make progress while offering support and encouragement. Getting organized is a skill that can be learned. If you apply yourself you will succeed. Professional Organizers often give homework to speed up the process and to allow you to experience success independently. It is a learning process.
How much does it cost?
Professional organizers vary in the way they charge clients for their time. Some work by the hour and others charge by the project. Practical Organizing Solutions charges by the hour since it is difficult to judge how long it will take for clients to make decisions. Some clients take longer to think about their things and need to talk through the options a little more before making decisions. Prepaid multiple hour discounts are available that decrease the hourly price.
Professional organizers vary in the way they charge clients for their time. Some work by the hour and others charge by the project. Practical Organizing Solutions charges by the hour since it is difficult to judge how long it will take for clients to make decisions. Some clients take longer to think about their things and need to talk through the options a little more before making decisions. Prepaid multiple hour discounts are available that decrease the hourly price.
"I am on a limited budget - can you still help me?"
Yes, probably. We offer three options. If you are determined and willing to put in the time working independently, Practical Organizing Solutions offers a project plan with a timeline for achieving your tasks and goals. With the project plan it is up to you to maintain focus. Onthe other hand, many clients must have the 1-2-1 guidance to initiate and maintain progress. In thaqt case, we offer to provide homework assignments to do on your own between visits. I would be happy to talk about negotiating a workable plan.
Yes, probably. We offer three options. If you are determined and willing to put in the time working independently, Practical Organizing Solutions offers a project plan with a timeline for achieving your tasks and goals. With the project plan it is up to you to maintain focus. Onthe other hand, many clients must have the 1-2-1 guidance to initiate and maintain progress. In thaqt case, we offer to provide homework assignments to do on your own between visits. I would be happy to talk about negotiating a workable plan.
Why do some people struggle with disorganization more than others?
There are many reasons for disorganization. For some people it is situational. An external event caused clutter to accumulate: divorce, death of a loved one, illness, moving, or a change in family dynamics. For others, organization has been an ongoing theme in their lives. Whatever the reason a professional organizer is prepared to help get you back on track. Learning skills that may not come naturally usually makes a huge impact on someone's ability to get organized and stay organized.
There are many reasons for disorganization. For some people it is situational. An external event caused clutter to accumulate: divorce, death of a loved one, illness, moving, or a change in family dynamics. For others, organization has been an ongoing theme in their lives. Whatever the reason a professional organizer is prepared to help get you back on track. Learning skills that may not come naturally usually makes a huge impact on someone's ability to get organized and stay organized.
Why should you get organized?
Here are some typical reasons clients give for wanting to get organized.
"I need to be out of my house at the end of the month and need help sorting and packing."
"I want my home to feel more comfortable."
"I want to lose my cell phone less often."
"I want to be able to find things when I need them."
"I want to feel better about myself."
"I want to use the spare bedroom for guests rather than junk."
"I need a helping hand to finally hang the artwork."
"I need help getting through the sentimental stuff."
"I need someone here to help me stay focused on decluttering."
"I want my home to look nicer and I tend to get sidetracked and make no progress on my own."
Here are some typical reasons clients give for wanting to get organized.
"I need to be out of my house at the end of the month and need help sorting and packing."
"I want my home to feel more comfortable."
"I want to lose my cell phone less often."
"I want to be able to find things when I need them."
"I want to feel better about myself."
"I want to use the spare bedroom for guests rather than junk."
"I need a helping hand to finally hang the artwork."
"I need help getting through the sentimental stuff."
"I need someone here to help me stay focused on decluttering."
"I want my home to look nicer and I tend to get sidetracked and make no progress on my own."
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