Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Professional Organizer?

A Professional Organizer is someone who works with you to create more order in your life by reducing clutter and introducing effective organizing systems for your home, workplace and schedules. A Professional Organizer is also someone who brings sensitivity, encouragement and strong problem-solving skills to what, for many people, are stressful and overwhelming situations. If you feel less stress and more in control over your environment and life, then a Professional Organizer has done his/her job.

What can I expect at an initial organizing session?

I will meet with you in your home or workplace to discuss your needs. Together we’ll develop a plan of action that fits for you. You may also want to do some space planning in the first visit or some hands-on de-cluttering and organizing. It’s your 3-hour session to use as you wish.

Do I need to do anything to prepare before you arrive for the first session?

While it probably goes against the grain, I’d actually prefer that you allow me to see your place as it is on a daily basis. This will give me a clearer idea of how you naturally use your space and enable us to more quickly identify what’s working and what’s not.

My entire home is out of control and I don’t even know where to begin. How can you help?

It can feel completely overwhelming when your living or work space is chaotic. My role is to help you take a step back, breathe and look at the organizing tasks one step at a time. You might be amazed at how straightforward it all seems once you have a clear plan of action and someone supporting you in the process.

I’d like to do most of the organizing job myself but need help getting started and some support along the way. Can you provide this kind of service?

Absolutely. I am completely flexible about how much or how little I am involved in your organizing project. You get to decide what works best for you.

I can work with you for a few hours to provide a variety of services such as hands-on de-cluttering, organizing, space planning or consulting to give you the nudge you need to get started. You’re free to call me back at any time to provide further direction and hands-on help.

I’m very busy and don’t have time to get organized! How much do I need to be involved?

At some point you need to be involved in deciding what belongings you keep and what goes. I’m able to do a pre-sort of everything and categorize items according to what makes sense to me. I can put all “like” items together to make finding homes easier and determine what is likely to be “re-homed” via thrift stores or recycling. This pre-sort enables you to go through the sorted piles and more quickly make your decisions. It’s also important for you to be involved in some discussion about what kinds of organizing systems and supplies you want. I am then able to complete the organizing of the belongings that you’ve chosen to keep.

Who purchases organizing supplies?

I can either recommend some ideas and you can purchase yourself or I can take this on completely. I am able to do research to find exactly what you want and will purchase the supplies for you.

What happens to all of the things I no longer want?

Several things can happen. In general, unwanted items that are highly valuable can be appraised by a professional and sold accordingly. Items can also be listed on Used Victoria, donations can go to a thrift store, recycling goes to the depot and garbage to the dump. I am able to arrange all of this and will contact the necessary services to get the job done.

What about confidentiality?

I take confidentiality and the privacy of clients very seriously. You and I can have a discussion about what this means for you prior to me beginning any project.