Overstuffed drawers, stacks of papers, an untidy garage – does this sound like your current living space? If so, it may be time for a clutter intervention!
The truth is that having a cluttered home can be overwhelming, but before you take on this feat by yourself, you may want to rethink and hire a professional organizer service.
Professional organizers provide guidance on how to properly organize your home, encouraging you to think of new ways to use your space.
These experts also have lots of handy and sustainable tricks for keeping it in line once their services are done.
In other words, don’t just expect your organizer to show up and fix your home; they will teach you ways to maintain the system through a hands-on approach.
So, what’s it like hiring a professional organizer service? We’ve created the following comprehensive guide explaining what you can expect when hiring one of these professionals.
What Does A Professional Organizer Do?
A professional organizer focuses their career on helping other people manage their belongings. These folks are experts in optimizing functionality and space in your home.
Organizers work with many clients, such as those with kids, hoarders, and people who just have too much stuff.
Regardless of who they’re working with, professional organizers act as coaches and guides to show the homeowner how to declutter, organize and maintain their possessions.
Since every homeowner has unique goals, preferences, and needs, an organizer’s work varies by client.
Typically, they help you come up with a goal for home organization, develop plans to achieve it, and then teach you recommendations on how to sustain the system.
The most important thing to remember is that professional organizers do not work alone. If you are seeking these services, you should be prepared to help them with the process.
Do You Need a Professional Organizer?
Knowing if you need a professional organizer’s help is half the battle. Here are a few things to consider when asking if you need professional organizer services:
You Don’t Have the Time or Know-How
Among the most common reasons people hire organizers is because they simply don’t have the time it takes to accomplish decluttering on their own. Or they simply don’t know where to start.
And, let’s face it, getting rid of your belongings is never fun. But just looking at everything you’ve accumulated over the years can be overwhelming.
If you have a genuine desire to declutter your home but can’t bring yourself to do it for one reason or another, a professional organizer may be just what you need for that final push.
You are Moving
Moving is stressful on its own, but when coupled with years’ worth of gathering possessions, this can leave you short on time and energy.
The good news is that before a move is the best time to hire an organizer. This person can help you thin out the items you actually need to pack and move by helping you decide what you really need and don’t.
Another great time to consider hiring a professional organizer is when you move into your new home. This person can help unpack boxes and help you start organizing in your new home.
You are Indecisive
If you’re one of the people who can find a reason to keep anything, you will benefit the most from organizer services.
They will challenge you and make you find legitimate reasons for keeping items you probably shouldn’t keep.
How to Hire a Professional Organizer Service
As with any other service, there may be multiple home organizers in your local area, so how do you choose the right one?
Don’t take chances on poor service; follow the tips below to choose the best organizer service near you:
Set a Budget
Professional organizer fees will vary based on geographic location, experience, and the types of services they offer.
Many of them charge an hourly rate, others charge per project, and some even offer package discounts.
The more of these services you need, the more it will cost. So, we suggest setting a budget before you begin calling potential organizer services.
This will help you narrow down the options and avoid overspending on impulse.
Locate a Reputable Service
Rather than opting for the cheapest company, find someone who specializes in the services you need.
Most clients choose professional organizers based on their years of experience, training, certification, or because the person came highly recommended by a close confidant.
Interview a Few Companies
Any reputable professional organizer should be willing to conduct a free phone consultation, but some charge for in-person consultations.
Regardless of which route you take, be sure to ask lots of questions! Include ones about their background, experience, processes, philosophies, fees, and more.
By the time you speak with the company, you should clearly understand what they do and how they do it.
It’s also worth noting that you should ask them about scheduling, availability, and their cancellation policy.
Compare Candidates and Make a Choice
After you’ve spoken with a few reputable companies, it’s time to compare the benefits of each company and if you felt a connection with the person.
Keep in mind that this person will be coming into your home and will require your assistance, so the home organizer you hire must be someone with whom you can build a good report.
Here’s What to Expect When the Professional Organizer Arrives
By the time the person arrives at your home, they should have already conducted a phone or video consultation to know your situation.
You should have answered questions about pain points, routines, frustrations, and, of course, your goals.
On cleaning day, the professional organizer will work with you to identify what items you want to keep and determine where unwanted possessions should go.
In most cases, some organizers will even facilitate the donation, sale, or disposal of the belongings the client wants to part with.
This person will also help you figure out the functions of each space in your home and then successfully set them up in a way that’s easy to maintain.
Just don’t expect them to come declutter and organize your home without you! While this would be ideal for most, it’s easier for organizers to do their job when you’re there to provide assistance.
While you don’t have to play the most significant role, you should act as an advisor at the very least.
Expect the person to ask you lots of questions about your belongings.
And since we organizers know that one of the most significant barriers to entry with most people is embarrassment and fear, you should know that you, your possessions, and your feelings are safe with a professional organizer.
You know you’ve chosen the right provider when you don’t feel judged or disrespected. But this doesn’t mean the person won’t give you the hard truths. It just means they do it in a supporting and loving way!
The biggest tip we can give is that if you don’t want the organizer going through certain areas of your home due to the nature of the items in that area, just tell them. They will understand!
An Expert’s 5 Amazing Tips for Decluttering Success
If you’ve made it to the end of our article and are still not convinced you need the help of a professional organizer service, keep reading! I’ve created 5 amazing tips that you can use to successfully declutter your home!
1. Start Small
Locate one small area of your home, such as a kitchen drawer, desk drawer, or medicine cabinet, and go from there.
Tacking a smaller space, regardless of how small it is, encourages you to want to continue organizing.
2. Admire Your Work as You Make Progress
The act of completing a task brings a great sense of accomplishment and relief, which fades into satisfaction and happiness.
So, as you declutter, take a few moments and admire your work. You’ll find that reaping these benefits is extremely motivational!
3. Skip the “Figure it out Later” Piles
As you are decluttering and organizing your home, do your best to avoid delaying finding a place for everything.
This is the most crucial part of the job. The last thing you want is to be admiring a job well done, only to turn around and see your “I’ll figure it out later piles.”
4. Donate Items the Same Week
If you find items to donate during the process, be sure to deliver them to the donation center during the same week.
The easiest thing to do is just store the stuff in your car and set a reminder. Whatever you do, don’t leave it in the corner of your room or a closet, as this defeats your purpose.
5. Skip Doing Things You See on Social Media
Just because a system works for one person doesn’t mean it’s right for you.
Avoid going out and buying 35 clear storage bins simply because someone had them on Pinterest.
Your home will be more organized and functional if you consider your daily routine and learn how to effectively use your home’s spaces.
If you opt for a system that doesn’t align with your lifestyle, it will only result in wasted time and money.
