Frequently Asked Questions...
What is a Professional Home Organizer?
Professional organizers are trained, skilled specialists who help people create order where it is lacking in their lives, so that they can make long-term improvements and keep disorder at bay. A good analogy would be someone who is not naturally good at staying fit and eating healthy. You could say, "just read a book on sensible eating and exercise" but if that were true, would there be so many millions of books on the topic? Would so many people be unhealthy?
In short, sometimes you need an objective, experienced opinion to help you move forward. Professional organizers can offer that opinion, or help you discover options you may not have known on your own. Decluttering is rarely as easy as
"just throw it out" or "anything you haven't used should go”. It's more than that.
How do I know you’re the right organizer for me?
Working with an organizer is pretty intimate work. Your organizer will be in your house, your closet, your drawers. You’ll want to like and trust them. In the same way you’d choose a therapist or coach for other things, you want an organizer that feels like a good personality fit and someone who knows about the issues you’re facing. I primarily work with women, families (parents, kids, wives, husbands – individually or together). Keep in mind, we’re doing soul work here, not just removing or adding stuff and making it look pretty. I work with you as you go through your things and figure out how it got this way and learn how to change the way you’ve been living. Call me if you’re ready to change your life and you want someone to help you do that.
For that, I am absolutely the right organizer for you.
Can I just read a book?
You can read a book. You probably already have. And watched organizing shows or read magazines. Sometimes people get really inspired by a book or other general organizing advice. That’s a wonderful thing. The problem is that usually that initial wave of inspiration doesn’t last, or you are trying to make yourself fit into someone else’s system rather than working to customize a system for you and your needs. Also, books don’t sit with you and provide moral support, ask you questions, or take things to be donated after your session. That’s likely why you’re looking at my website, hoping you can find some help books haven’t offered you.
Will my session be confidential?
Absolutely!! All meetings, conversations, and questions are between you and I, and no one else.
How do you work?
You call me to tell me about what you need and ask me questions. I send you a questionnaire to get more details.
We have an initial consultation and tour of your house (in home – or virtual) and I write up a summary of your organizing challenges, goals, and areas that need organizing.
We schedule organizing sessions that last from 3 – 5 hours per session (usually 4) to declutter and organize. If you want to do virtual sessions, we can schedule 1 to 1.5 hours per session. Some people want to see me once a week, once every other week, or once a month. Some people have me help with one room and others want help with their whole house. I’ll meet with you as often as you’d like, for as many rooms as you’d like. I’m here to help you do it in the way that works best for your schedule, budget, and energy level.
How long will it take to organize my house/closet/life?
That depends largely on you. Some people need a lot of help letting go of things. Others start decluttering one room with me and get inspired to do five more on their own. There is no standard amount of time any room or home takes. You may have a wall closet or a walk-in, a 1,500 square foot house or 5,000 square feet to organize. During the decluttering, organizing and maintenance steps, certain parts of the process may go very quickly and others may take longer. We can take as much or as little time as you need.
Will you throw away my prized possessions?
Never. I will teach you organizing techniques so you can decide what you want or need to keep–what serves your life now–and do the emotional work to help you let go of the rest.
Do your services include closet systems or other storage products?
Nope. I am not affiliated with any closet, basket, or other product companies. That means I can recommend what’s best for you without trying to get a commission or sell you something.
Do you have a minimum number of hours per appointment?
For In-Home organizing there is a three-hour minimum per appointment after the initial consultation. Most clients choose four or five-hour sessions to make the most of every session. For Virtual Organizing it’s the same minimum…three hours…spread out differently. We can chat more about this.
What is your service area?
For In-Home organizing, I work within 45 minutes of zip code area 60140. Of course, with Virtual Organizing you can be anywhere in the US.
What is your cancellation policy?
Cancellations with less than a 24-hour notice will be charged for the session.
What methods of payment do you accept?
I accept cash, checks, Paypal and all major credit cards. Payment is due at the end of each work session each day.
What can I do to prepare for your visit?
For the initial consultation, please don’t do anything, just breathe…😊 I need to see your house in its natural state. After we meet the first time, I’ll give you a prep list so that you can do as much (or as little) cleaning, decluttering, and other work before our next session as you’d like.
Do I need to purchase organizing supplies before we start organizing?
The time to shop comes after we’ve decluttered and found “a place for everything.” Then we’ll know what type, size, or system you’ll need. I can recommend products based on your family’s taste and budget. I can also do the shopping for you at my hourly rate.
How do I get started?
Professional organizers are trained, skilled specialists who help people create order where it is lacking in their lives, so that they can make long-term improvements and keep disorder at bay. A good analogy would be someone who is not naturally good at staying fit and eating healthy. You could say, "just read a book on sensible eating and exercise" but if that were true, would there be so many millions of books on the topic? Would so many people be unhealthy?
In short, sometimes you need an objective, experienced opinion to help you move forward. Professional organizers can offer that opinion, or help you discover options you may not have known on your own. Decluttering is rarely as easy as
"just throw it out" or "anything you haven't used should go”. It's more than that.
How do I know you’re the right organizer for me?
Working with an organizer is pretty intimate work. Your organizer will be in your house, your closet, your drawers. You’ll want to like and trust them. In the same way you’d choose a therapist or coach for other things, you want an organizer that feels like a good personality fit and someone who knows about the issues you’re facing. I primarily work with women, families (parents, kids, wives, husbands – individually or together). Keep in mind, we’re doing soul work here, not just removing or adding stuff and making it look pretty. I work with you as you go through your things and figure out how it got this way and learn how to change the way you’ve been living. Call me if you’re ready to change your life and you want someone to help you do that.
For that, I am absolutely the right organizer for you.
Can I just read a book?
You can read a book. You probably already have. And watched organizing shows or read magazines. Sometimes people get really inspired by a book or other general organizing advice. That’s a wonderful thing. The problem is that usually that initial wave of inspiration doesn’t last, or you are trying to make yourself fit into someone else’s system rather than working to customize a system for you and your needs. Also, books don’t sit with you and provide moral support, ask you questions, or take things to be donated after your session. That’s likely why you’re looking at my website, hoping you can find some help books haven’t offered you.
Will my session be confidential?
Absolutely!! All meetings, conversations, and questions are between you and I, and no one else.
How do you work?
You call me to tell me about what you need and ask me questions. I send you a questionnaire to get more details.
We have an initial consultation and tour of your house (in home – or virtual) and I write up a summary of your organizing challenges, goals, and areas that need organizing.
We schedule organizing sessions that last from 3 – 5 hours per session (usually 4) to declutter and organize. If you want to do virtual sessions, we can schedule 1 to 1.5 hours per session. Some people want to see me once a week, once every other week, or once a month. Some people have me help with one room and others want help with their whole house. I’ll meet with you as often as you’d like, for as many rooms as you’d like. I’m here to help you do it in the way that works best for your schedule, budget, and energy level.
How long will it take to organize my house/closet/life?
That depends largely on you. Some people need a lot of help letting go of things. Others start decluttering one room with me and get inspired to do five more on their own. There is no standard amount of time any room or home takes. You may have a wall closet or a walk-in, a 1,500 square foot house or 5,000 square feet to organize. During the decluttering, organizing and maintenance steps, certain parts of the process may go very quickly and others may take longer. We can take as much or as little time as you need.
Will you throw away my prized possessions?
Never. I will teach you organizing techniques so you can decide what you want or need to keep–what serves your life now–and do the emotional work to help you let go of the rest.
Do your services include closet systems or other storage products?
Nope. I am not affiliated with any closet, basket, or other product companies. That means I can recommend what’s best for you without trying to get a commission or sell you something.
Do you have a minimum number of hours per appointment?
For In-Home organizing there is a three-hour minimum per appointment after the initial consultation. Most clients choose four or five-hour sessions to make the most of every session. For Virtual Organizing it’s the same minimum…three hours…spread out differently. We can chat more about this.
What is your service area?
For In-Home organizing, I work within 45 minutes of zip code area 60140. Of course, with Virtual Organizing you can be anywhere in the US.
What is your cancellation policy?
Cancellations with less than a 24-hour notice will be charged for the session.
What methods of payment do you accept?
I accept cash, checks, Paypal and all major credit cards. Payment is due at the end of each work session each day.
What can I do to prepare for your visit?
For the initial consultation, please don’t do anything, just breathe…😊 I need to see your house in its natural state. After we meet the first time, I’ll give you a prep list so that you can do as much (or as little) cleaning, decluttering, and other work before our next session as you’d like.
Do I need to purchase organizing supplies before we start organizing?
The time to shop comes after we’ve decluttered and found “a place for everything.” Then we’ll know what type, size, or system you’ll need. I can recommend products based on your family’s taste and budget. I can also do the shopping for you at my hourly rate.
How do I get started?