Why should I hire a Professional Organizer? If you are looking at this website it is likely that you are seeking help in getting organized because it either does not come naturally to you, or you are looking for some expert advice and hands on organizing. I will provide non-judgmental assistance, encouragement, motivation, and systems that you can maintain. When the idea of getting organized seems overwhelming, bringing in a professional will make the task go faster than struggling through on your own and not really finding the best solution for your situation. Lastly, it's just more fun to do it together! I am afraid you might tell me to get rid of things I'd really like to keep. How do you handle this? I absolutely would not tell you to get rid of things that you cherish. Clutter comes from avoiding making decisions. Some seem very trivial (such as, "is this junk mail or not?") and others may be huge ("what should I do with this money I just inherited?"). I will help you move towards making decisions. I will encourage you to examine why you are keeping things, how important they are, and whether they should be kept in your home or office. How long will it take you to get me organized? I can only answer this question with another. How ready and willing are you to make the changes needed to get organized? Like any lifestyle change (weight loss, financial management, etc) how long it will take is largely dependent upon your commitment and follow up. The same is true for organizing. However, upon viewing a space and discussing your goals, I can provide an estimate of the scope of the project and how long it might take. How much will it cost? The basic answer is that it depends entirely upon how long it will take. In general terms, a small project can be as little as $150. As the length of the project grows, the total fee will increase. Are you certified? At this time there is no professional certification program for Professional Organizers. The National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) is currently developing a certification program which I will happily comply with. Why should I hire a PO? Shouldn't I be able to do this on my own? Not everyone has the natural ability to organize their lives, no less their surroundings. In this case, you can't do it on your own and you shouldn't even try. And, those who do have the ability, don't always have the time or desire. For example: You may really like to putter in your yard, taking care of plants, communing with nature; but you just don't have the time, so you hire a gardener. The same holds true if you are a good organizer but there are too many demands on your life for you to organize your home or business without giving up something else. That's when you should hire a professional organizer. I've seen amazing makeovers on organizing shows on TV (such as "Clean Sweep" and "Mission Organization"). Can you do what they do? Yes and no. First, understand that what you see on TV has been put together for TV, meaning they have the benefit of editing, a team of workers and few time constraints and the budget usually only includes materials. The TV shows often also provide a very dramatic design makeover which entirely changes the look of the room. Although I offer both organizing and design services, and your rooms can be made over with the same dramatic results as seen on TV, the process may be a little different than depicted on TV. How are you different from other Professional Organizers? Professional Organizers understand the principles of good organization. They also are able to translate these principles into strategies and systems that will work for you in your home or office. My difference is a matter of style, customizing the system for each client and my sense of humor. Most clients are somewhat reluctant about getting organized, and I make every effort to make the process enjoyable (even fun!) and teach each client how to maintain an organized environment long after our sessions are over. You help me get organized now, but what about a year from now? My goals (and, hopefully, yours too) will be to get you organized now and teach you how to stay organized for the long term. When organizing is customized for your life and work style you will be able to maintain easily. You will also learn the principles of organization which you can apply as your lifestyle changes. |
