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	Frequently Asked Questions About Hiring An Organizer

Q: IS HIRING A PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZER EXPENSIVE?

A: As one client told me, "It's cheaper than therapy!" You determine your budget, because you decide how much help you want. You may decide you just need someone to REVIEW your situation and offer suggestions -- and you will do the manual labor yourself. Or, you may want someone to come in and actually DO the work (set up the filing system, clean out the garage, re-design your office procedures) -- it all depends on what works for you. While each organizer determines his or her own fee, your organizer should be willing to provide whatever LEVEL of service you find most helpful.

Q: HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO GET ME ORGANIZED?

A: That really depends on how "challenging" your particular situation is. Veteran Professional Organizer Julie Morgenstern suggests that the AVERAGE room in a home will take about 1-2 full days (that's 8 hours a day of solid work) to complete -- and that the average one-person office will take 2-3 days to complete. However, some small jobs (like a bathroom) will take less, and some big jobs (like a huge basement or overstuffed garage) may take more. And it also depends on how well you complete your HOMEWORK -- if you only think about organizing during appointments, it will go much slower than if you tackle the small projects your organizer assigns between sessions.

Q: CAN'T YOU DO LIKE THOSE CLEAN SWEEP SHOWS?

A: Remember that those shows are just that -- for show. They want a dramatic result in an hour, so they cart a lot of junk out, set up some cool storage paraphernalia -- and don't actually show the decision-making, follow-up, and maintenance PROCESSES that an organizer takes you through. Organizing is only partly about setting up shelves and containers -- it is mostly about learning how to let go of clutter, changing behaviors that cause clutter to accumulate, and developing more constructive HABITS that will keep you organized for years to come. Just remember, it took you a long time to get disorganized, and it won't be fixed overnight. However, your organizer will work as QUICKLY as possible to get your life back in order -- and to teach you how to keep it that way.

Q: HOW WILL MY ORGANIZER CHARGE?

A: Each organizer charges differently -- some are paid by the hour, some by the day, and some by the project. And each organizer's fee will be different, based on his or her level of EXPERIENCE, the area of the country, and the type of service being provided. While hourly rates for organizers can vary widely, you can count on the AVERAGE hourly rate for a professional organizer in the United States being between $55 and $85 an hour.

Q: WHY DO ORGANIZERS CHARGE THE FEES THEY DO?

A: Organizing is a PROFESSIONAL service -- just like you would receive from an attorney or an accountant, a counselor or a coach. Most organizers are college graduates and have spent many years developing their skills. Many people mistakenly assume that an organizer is going to come in and "clean up" for them -- and that it should cost about the same amount as a housekeeper -- but it is much more involved than that. You are paying for an organizer's KNOWLEDGE -- their ability to get inside your head, understand how you function, and develop a system that will work best for you. And you pay more for an experienced organizer who can work through to the root CAUSE of your disorganization and implement these systems faster. So you can actually end up saving money in the long run, with a more expensive but more efficient organizer.

Q: WHAT CAN AN ORGANIZER HELP ME WITH?

A: Think of Professional Organizers as "personal trainers" for the organizationally challenged -- keeping you on TRACK as you get your home or office (instead of your body) in shape. They assist individuals and companies in regaining control over their time, space, and paper -- you may want to review our list of common organizing specialties that are available. Organizers bring together the PRODUCTS and TECHNIQUES that will work best for you -- a customized solution for your particular situation.

Q: HOW DO I FIND AN ORGANIZER?

A: Our online referral service makes it easy for you to find someone who can help you out. We ask you to fill out a short PROFILE -- indicating what types of organizing services you are interested in, your area (city and state), and contact information. We then search our database for those professionals who best MATCH your profile and who provide -- and you are immediately given a list of organizers in your area who provide the services you need, complete with references and a resume for each. These organizers will then CONTACT you to discuss your situation, describe how they work, and explain their fees.

Q: WHAT IF THERE AREN'T ANY ORGANIZERS IN MY AREA?

A: If you live in a rural area, state, or overseas country that just doesn't have many organizers, it may be difficult to find someone in your local area who can help you. But we are happy to give you a referral to an organizer who can TRAVEL to work with you (some additional travel fees may apply) -- or an organizer who can consult with you long-distance via phone or e-mail COACHING. Just let us know when you request a referral which you are willing to accept -- if there is no one local to your area. But we will definitely try to send you someone local, first.

Q: HOW WILL MY ORGANIZER KNOW HOW TO HELP ME?

A: Your organizer should spend some time evaluating your situation before you begin working together -- possibly in the form of a CONSULTATION -- finding out what your concerns are, what you've tried in the past, what has worked, and what hasn't. Your organizer will then develop an ACTION plan outlining the steps you will take to remedy the situation. Veteran organizers have seen your concerns over and over again with previous clients. They know how to quickly pinpoint the causes of your disorganization, and which SOLUTIONS work on those areas. They may very even know what systems will suit you after just a phone call -- so you can often get started immediately.

Q: HOW DO I KNOW THESE FOLKS ARE "QUALIFIED"?

A: We will give you a lot of INFORMATION about each organizer -- educational and career background, how long the person has been in business, whether or not (s)he is a member of any professional associations, his or her organizing philosophy, even references -- all in the form of an online RESUME. It is then up to you to speak with each organizer, find out more about them, and decide which professional is best qualified to help you.

Q: HOW DO I SELECT AN ORGANIZER?

A: The first rule of thumb is to hire an organizer you TRUST -- the second is to find someone whose "work style" complements your own. You can learn a lot about your organizer by using our free "Interview Checklist" as you speak to different professionals. Also ask if the person belongs to the National Association Of Professional Organizers -- members have pledged to follow a strict professional code of conduct. Finally, trust your INSTINCTS. If you have good (or bad) feelings about the person, make your choice accordingly.

Q: WHAT KIND OF ORGANIZING SERVICES CAN I REQUEST?

A: Anything related to regaining CONTROL over your life -- organizing your paper, space, time, kids, office, home, business procedures, simplifying your life -- even dealing with Attention Deficit Disorder and chronic disorganization. You may request referrals for one-on-one onsite CONSULTING (both residential and business organizing), workshops and speaking engagements, coaching services, teleconsulting -- whatever! Just tell us what you need and we will find you the RIGHT organizer!

Q: DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR YOUR REFERRAL SERVICE?

A: Absolutely not -- our services are FREE to you. Organizers who participate in our network pay us a small "referral fee" if you decide to work with them -- but there is NEVER any charge to you.

Q: HOW DO I CONTACT EACH ORGANIZER?

A: After you submit your request, we will immediately provide you with the CONTACT information (name, phone, e-mail, etc.) for each organizer that matches your profile. We will also pass your information on to the organizers on your list so they can follow up with you. But you are welcome to contact your organizers at any time to set up an INTERVIEW or consultation.

Q: HOW DO I REQUEST A REFERRAL FOR SOMEONE ELSE?

A: Just tell us their location and what kind of organizing services are needed and we'll give you the names of several organizers who can help. The organizers will contact you directly to discuss the situation, so you can act as a LIAISON during the interview and hiring process. Please just be sure that you have PERMISSION from the person to be requesting a referral on his or her behalf -- that he or she has agreed to the idea and is interested in having someone come in to work on the problem. Many people feel that they are being FORCED into something when a referral is requested without their knowledge -- so talk it over thoroughly before submitting your request.

Q: WHY SHOULD I USE YOUR SERVICE?

A: You could pick a name at RANDOM from a listing in the phone book or on the internet -- but how will you know if that person provides exactly the services you need? Or what their qualifications are? Or how long they've been in business? You don't. But we take the guesswork out of selecting an organizer. We do all of the BACKGROUND work for you -- you simply have to interview the organizer and make a decision.

Q: HOW DO I REQUEST A REFERRAL?

A: Just fill out our referral request form -- we will process your request and send your list of organizers so you can START working on getting your home or office in order!