Clean Slate - Solutions for Conquering Clutter

How to Hire a Professional Organizer

Step 1: Understanding the role of a Professional Organizer (PO) – Professional Organizers help individuals and businesses manage their space, time, paper and finances. They assist clients with tasks ranging from clearing clutter to organizing closets to creating new systems. The ultimate goal of a PO is to help clients establish the skills, strategies and habits they will need to maintain their completed projects.

Step 2: Understanding what you hope to achieve – Before hiring a Professional Organizer, you may want to ask yourself the following questions –

What specific tasks or projects am I hoping to accomplish? Organizers have diverse specialties, and it is important to choose someone whose experience matches your needs.
Am I interested in working “side-by-side” with an organizer, learning new skills and techniques, or would I prefer to work with someone who gets the job done without my participation?
Am I looking for “tough love”, a fast pace and lots of homework? Or would I respond more positively to a gentler approach”?
Has my inability to get organized, and stay organized, had a negative impact on my life? Would I benefit from hiring an organizer who specializes in working with the chronically disorganized?

Step 3: Finding the appropriate Professional Organizer – You may want to ask the organizer the following questions –

Do you belong to any of the professional organizations, i.e. National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization (NSGCD) or the Professional Organizers in Canada (POC)?
Do you work with your clients, side-by-side, or do you consult with clients and then complete the work for them?
Do you charge by the hour, or by the project? How do you expect payment? Cash, check or credit card?
What is your cancellation policy?
Do you provide shopping services, and if so, how do you charge for your time?
Finally, you may want to ask for references. Contacting references can provide information about an organizer’s skill level, style and reliability.

As is the case in any personal relationship, finding the right “connection” is the key to achieving your goal!