How to Hire a Professional Organizer by Barry J. Izsak
After many years of unrealized New Years resolutions and failed attempts
to get organized on your own, you have finally decided to take the
plunge and hire a professional organizer. And why shouldn't you? People
hire personal trainers, life coaches and image consultants to help them
achieve their goals, so is there something wrong with you if you need
professional help to get organized? Absolutely not.
You know you will benefit greatly from getting the help you need, yet
the process of finding the right one might seem confusing and
overwhelming. Relax. Finding a professional organizer is no different
than hiring any other service professional. You need to know what
services you are looking for and hire the person you feel most
comfortable working with. Ask the right questions to make sure that
there is a good fit. The right choice for you will be a professional
organizer who has the expertise, skill set and personality which best
suits you to help you achieve your goals.
What kind of professional organizing services are you looking for?
Some professional organizers offer a wide range of services, while others
limit their practices to a specialized niche. Some organizers prefer to
work with corporate rather than residential clients; some specialize in
creating custom filing or closet systems while others may specialize in
move preparation or organizing collections and memorabilia. There are
even professional organizers who specialize in working with clients who
are chronically disorganized or have been diagnosed with Attention
Deficit Disorder (ADD). Once you determine the type of organizing
services you are looking for, you are ready to begin your search.
Where do you begin your search to locate the best organizer to work
with you?One of the best places to start is by visiting the
automated referral system on the web site of the National Association of
Professional Organizers www.napo.net You can search by organizing
specialty and geographic location, and you will be provided with a list
of names and contact information for professional organizers who match
your selected criteria. Another great place to look for an organizer is
your local Yellow Pages. The headings will vary from city to city, but
one of the more commonly used headings is “Organizing Products and
Services.”
How do I interview professional organizers and decide who is right
for me?Speak to several professional organizers before choosing
one to work with. If you prefer to meet the organizer in person before
making a decision, some offer free consultations, while others charge
for them and credit that fee if they are hired. Others will charge one
fee for a client assessment and another fee for service.
What questions should I be asking?Ask if the organizer is a
member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO).
While NAPO membership does not guarantee the quality of the professional
organizer’s work, it does demonstrate their commitment to continuing
education and an industry code of ethics. Other professional
associations directly related to the organizing industry include
Professional Organizers of Canada (POC) and the National Study Group for
Chronic Disorganization (NSGCD). Other questions to ask include: What
services do you provide and what are your areas of specialization? How
long have you been a professional organizer? What results can I expect
from your service? How long is a typical work session? Who will I be
working with? How do you charge for your services? Do you have a
contract? Do you have references? Is the work of your company
guaranteed? Your relationship with a professional organizer will be a
very personal one. An experienced professional organizer will ask a lot
of questions about you, your work style, what you are looking for and
the issues you believe have thwarted your best attempts to get organized
in the past. They are not being nosy. They want to get to know you,
understand your objectives, and determine if there is a good fit between
your personalities and philosophies. It is in your best interest to be
as open as you can and clear about the results you want to achieve.
What are the fees that I should expect to pay?As with most
professions, you will find that fees vary widely based on experience,
geographic location and competition. Many professional organizers charge
by the hour ($50 to $200), while others prefer value-based pricing and
charge by the project. Some will give you a choice of which option you
prefer, so go with what feels most comfortable to you. The most
important thing is to avoid choosing a professional organizer strictly
by price. Remember that finding an organizer with a skill set that
matches your needs and a personality you “click” with is what will
provide you with the best value and deliver the results you expect in
the shortest amount of time. It is important to remember that your
decision is not irreversible. A professional organizer should be
non-judgmental, encouraging and supportive. He or she should be a good
listener and recommend a variety of suggestions, alternatives and
solutions to create the system which will work best for you. If you
begin working with a professional organizer and decide that you are not
comfortable with their particular methodology or style, you are rarely
under obligation to continue the relationship after the initial visit.
Be sure to let the organizer know how you feel and more than likely,
they will be happy to recommend a colleague who is better suited to work
with you
If you have been imagining a clutter-free home or office and a desk that
you can actually see and use, don’t put it off any longer! By following
these simple steps, you can competently and confidently hire a
professional organizer and get the help you need. You will be amazed how
quickly your dreams of living and working in a functional and
clutter-free environment will become your new reality.
Barry J. Izsak is the President of the National Association of
Professional Organizers (NAPO), a national speaker and founder of
ARRANGING IT ALL™ in Austin, Texas. Contact him at
Barry@ArrangingItAll.com or (512) 419-7526 or visit his web site at
www.ArrangingItAll.com
