Questions About Hiring a Professional Organizer
Do I have to be present, or do you just “work your magic” alone?
You should plan to be available during our organizing session, but you don’t have to be in the room with me the entire time. First, I like to get a “tour” of the project area with you, then once we are on the same page, I can work independently while you do something else. In most cases, I first sort through items, and then bring my client in to discuss which items they want to edit from their collection. If you want to stay with me for the entire process, that is fine too!
In any case, I will want to check in with you occasionally about how things are shaping up. I will not throw away a bunch of your stuff unless that is something that you want me to do! Typically I reserve any trash for your approval and disposal.
I’m so embarrassed about this mess. Where do I start?
I can assure you that I’ve seen all the messes before! I am not here to judge you – only to help you identify and reach your goals. As far as where to start, that’s what we will figure out in our organizing session. Better yet, I’ll do a lot of the work for you. And, I promise you confidentiality. It’s in the contract! My hope is that you will go from overwhelmed by clutter to feeling like you have things under control.
What happens to all the stuff I choose to get rid of during a session?
If we generate trash, I will leave it with your regular trash.
I try to avoid sending things to the landfills unnecessarily.
For usable items in good condition, you can bring your items to a charity drop-off site such as Salvation Army or schedule a porch pickup from a charity such as GreenDrop or Pickup Please. To maximize your joy of having less, and to minimize your workload, I can haul off up to one carload of your “give-away” items at the end of each organizing session. I will take them to a charity shop, or offer them to my local Buy Nothing or other “free” group.
Recycling and repurposing are wonderful! It’s great how many “unwanted” items are useful to someone out there! In fact, that’s a fantastic motivation for you to release them! I have ideas and resources for you on how to move items along to their next season of usefulness.
Do you do house cleaning?
I do tend to sweep up if I uncover some dust along the way, but I remain focused on my mission to get your items organized. I clean up after myself, such as breaking down boxes after unpacking. Once we are done and everything is in order, you may find that you want to do (or hire someone to do) a deep clean of your new and improved space! Ask me for referrals!
If you are looking for an all-in-one decluttering organizing session with deep cleaning , that can be arranged! I ask that you notify me in advance, as this may require extra human-power and it can affect your hourly rate.
How soon can you start?
I can schedule a virtual consultation with you ASAP. Currently I can schedule your first organizing session within a week or so. Please feel free to reach out by sending me a message. This will not obligate you or put you on an email list.
Can you help my family member / friend? They are just so messy!
A basic rule of helpfulness is that a person has to be ready, in order to receive help. Once someone is tired of the way things are going and actually looking for solutions, then I can help them! If they are resistant and do not want the help, the best thing you can do for them is listen to understand what their concerns are, and seek their permission to help with those. Having said that — if they are ready, YES! I’d love to help them!
Do you work with hoarders?
The short answer is “no.” Although it is common to joke about “being a hoarder” when we have a messy house, true hoarding is a debilitating condition that requires therapy, patience, and accountability over a period of time. It can be traumatic for an individual to lose any amount of their belongings suddenly and unwillingly. I use a gentle approach to help my clients have compassion for themselves and identify their goals. If an individual has not reached the point where they want to get rid of any items, it is not yet time for my professional organizing services. If you or a loved one meets the definition of a hoarder, the best advice is to start with a therapist who specializes in hoarding. You can progress to a hoarder cleanout service when the time is right.
Having said that, some people are too hard on themselves! If you are uncertain whether your situation qualifies, feel free to schedule a free virtual consultation with me and we can talk about your living space and concerns.
