The Process of Hiring a Professional Home Organizer

Many professional organizers follow a similar process when it comes to matching with, booking, and assisting clients. So, no matter who you contact, you’re likely to encounter some version of what I do. This article is designed to demystify what it’s like to hire a professional home organizer. Hopefully, it brings you one step closer to asking for the help you need.     

The Intake Process

Many professional organizers have inquiry forms on their websites. Your completed intake form tells me a lot about our compatibility such as if you are in my service area and the nature and relative size of your project. Assuming we are generally aligned, I will schedule a quick call to learn more about your needs.

This call is an opportunity for you to share more about why you contacted me and what you hope to get out of the process. I, in turn, will ask a few clarifying questions to make sure I understand your situation. The call usually takes between 5 and 15 minutes and concludes with us finding a time to meet in person for your complimentary consultation.

Your Consultation

Now that you’ve filled out a form and talked by phone, you may be wondering why an in-person consultation is necessary before working together. The answer is that it’s difficult for an organizer to get a full sense of a project without seeing it in person. It also gives you a chance to see what it would feel like to have a particular organizer in your home, and if they have a vibe that is comfortable for you. Thus, it is an important step to ensuring that you and your organizer are a good match.

While most organizers have some version of a consultation, there are variations from organizer to organizer. Some differences you may encounter are in-person versus video consultation; shorter (20-30 minutes) versus longer (60 minutes or more); and complimentary versus fee-based.

My consultations are free and mostly occur in person. I allow for up to an hour together, but actual times vary depending on the complexity of your project. Some consultations are wrapped up in 15 minutes, while others go the full hour. Most fall somewhere in between.

We will start off with a tour of the areas where you would like assistance. This can be as small as a cabinet or as big as the entire house. Throughout the tour, I will ask clarifying questions such as what’s working well, and what’s giving you trouble. We will discuss your challenges, goals, and priorities so I can understand how best to serve you.

If we are a match, I will outline how we can work together, which of my packages might be right for you, and current availability on my calendar. You will receive a proposal recapping the details via e-mail within 1-2 business days of the consultation.

Scheduling

Some organizers have teams or work with sub-contractors, while others work solo. The benefit of working with a solopreneur is you will be working with the person you met and trusted during the intake process and consultation, versus a team of people you may not have met before. The benefit of working with an organizer who has a team or sub-contractors is that they may have more availability and be able to complete the work more quickly and efficiently.

I work solo and only on weekdays between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. If I’m fully booked in the near term, you may be looking at a delayed start date. This is fine for some people, but not if a project is time sensitive. If you are on a tighter timeline, you may need to shop around to find someone who can accommodate your schedule.  

Payment

Payment policies vary from organizer to organizer. Some require payment up front, others take payment in installments, and still others invoice once the project is done. Many offer discounts for purchasing organizing hours in bundles.

After the consultation, I require my clients to pay in advance to secure time on my calendar. This ensures the time is reserved just for you; demonstrates to me that you are committed to the process; and prevents loose ends once the project is completed.

Like many organizers, I offer both hourly services (booked in 3- or 4-hour increments) and packages. Each package offers a discount. Payment methods include Zelle, Venmo, cash, and credit card. Credit card payments require an additional 3 percent fee.

Estimating Time

It’s difficult to estimate how long a project will take, especially when there is decluttering involved. Clients must make the ultimate decision about what items will stay or go, and everyone works at a different pace.

I will do my best to estimate time and suggest an appropriate package size, but if more time is needed to complete the work, you always have the option to book more time with me.

What’s Included in the Price

Organizers vary in what’s included in their pricing. Some charge only for in-person service hours while others charge for shopping, donation/recycling drop-offs, and travel over certain time limits/distances.

My fee is for in-person service hours, which are generally booked in 3- or 4-hour increments. Wrapped into my pricing is one donation or recycling drop off per session and product research and acquisition. In the rare case I take a job outside my regular service area of 30-45 minutes from home, I will charge additional travel fees. All hard costs such as products, shredding, or other disposal-related expenses are passed along to the client via invoice.

Go with Your Gut

Home organization is very personal. It takes courage to invite someone to “peak behind the curtain” of your life in this way. Professionalism and trust are absolute musts. Take your time with this process and make sure you are comfortable with whomever you decide to bring into your home. If anything feels off, trust your gut. It doesn’t mean a particular organizer is bad at what they do, it might just mean they aren’t the right fit for you.

Consider your personal style and what’s important to you. Do you want someone in whom you can confide your struggles, or would you prefer to maintain emotional distance with your organizer? Do you like a fun, laid back vibe, or would you prefer someone a bit more buttoned up? Do you have triggers such as fear of being judged, or fear someone will pressure you into throwing things away before you are ready? Ask questions and read your organizer’s body language. You may need to interview a few people before you land on the right organizer for you.

Coming Up

Keep a look out for future blog posts, which will cover what happens once you begin working with an organizer, as well as your role as the client.