I asked Google for a list of top questions people have for Professional Organizers. With over 20 years of running my Atlanta based organizing business, I feel pretty confident that I have been asked these questions a time or 2 (or 3 or 400). These same questions, along with a few others, can be found at https://put-it-there.com/faq/.
What is a Professional Organizer?
A Professional Organizer can develop systems that will allow you to increase both your personal and professional level of productivity; decrease the amount of stress and anxiety associated with disorganization and lost items; and help you gain control over your time, schedule and belongings. All of these benefits will ultimately allow you to have more time available to do things you enjoy most in life!
What is a Certified Professional Organizer? What requirements needed to be met to become certified and why should that matter in choosing a Professional Organizer?
A CPO® is a Professional Organizer who has electively chosen to submit a list of qualifications, a minimum of 1500 paid client hours, leadership roles, public speaking, mentoring and other related professional activities within the industry to an independent Board for review. In addition, the Organizer has studied for and successfully passed a certification exam reflecting knowledge of key areas within the industry. The program recognizes and raises industry standards, practices and ethics. Furthermore, continuing education classes are required to maintain certification.
How do you charge?
Put It There offers multiple pricing options based on the scope of the project(s), all of which are by the hour. There are many factors that play into how long a project will take. Examples are: some clients make very fast decisions while others need longer as it is a more difficult process; some clients will make progress between appointments while others either are not able to or perhaps even backslide. There is no right or wrong. By offering multiple pricing options, we will work together to select the one that is right for the client, the project(s) and their goals.
What is your organizing philosophy?
There is not a one size fits all approach. What works for one client may not work for others – for a multitude of reasons. Clutter is the result of 2 things: a) items not having designated homes or the homes are too full to get items in and out and b) not having routines in place to keep areas maintained.
We can provide the support, ideas, tips, and tricks you need. We have an experienced eye for creating new systems to implement as your life changes. We will lead, support and guide you through the process to meet your personal goals of however you define the phrase “get organized”.
Is our work together confidential?
Yes!!! As a member of NAPO, my team is required to abide by a code of ethics, which includes, amongst other statements, one to keep clients and sessions under strict confidence. If my clients want to shout from the roof tops that we have been helping them, great! But we will never disclose clients’ names, unless they provide the ok to do so, and certainly not information about our work together.
Who are your typical clients?
Our clients run the gamut from those who have trouble spot(s) in their homes or offices to those who have been diagnosed with hoarding disorder. The vast majority of our clients fall in between the two, have a life transition that is causing them to revisit their spaces, or the clutter is a by-product of ADHD, grief, anxiety, etc. Our youngest clients are young adults and our oldest will soon be 99 years young. Additionally, we have both male and female clients.
Basically, anyone who is struggling with their physical spaces, is preparing to move or go through a life change or who is seeking to be more productive and efficient are all potential clients!
Do I need to be involved in the organizing process?
It is preferred. Yes, a good reveal at the end of a working session is a lot of fun. However, the most successful projects are ones where the clients are directly involved in making the decisions and helping to implement the organizing strategies. Why? Because in order for the systems to make sense to the client, they need to be set up in a way that works for him/her and his/her family. Additionally, maintenance routines and transference of skills is an important part of the process that is best done by working together.
What is your cancellation policy?
We kindly require 48 hours’ notice before an appointment to cancel. Notification less than that will result in a cancellation fee equal to one hour of time. This policy allows us the opportunity to fill the time slot with another client.
What is your process?
I begin by having a live conversation first and foremost. I want to explain how we work, our qualifications, answer any questions the prospects may have and ensure we are a good match for both the prospect and us.
We then start each project with an initial assessment to “get the lay of the land”. As descriptive as people can be over the phone, it is still crucial to walk through someone’s home or office, see the spaces in person, ask important questions about goals, prioritize, put a game plan together and most importantly begin building trust and rapport.
We then schedule working sessions together which are typically 2 ½ to 3 hours long, although all-day sessions are possible as well. We meet at a frequency that feels comfortable for each client that matches their time frames and budget.
Will you donate items for me?
Yes, it would be our pleasure! Put It There has a comprehensive list of donation organizations, and we aim to work with the clients to pick one that feels good to him/her.
There you have it…answers to the top questions asked of Professional Organizers. But there are always more! So, feel free to reach out. We’d love to hear from you!
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