Your home should be a place of comfort and relaxation, but clutter can quickly turn it into a chaotic and overwhelming space. If you’re struggling with keeping your home organized, a home organizer may be the solution you need.
Home organizers specialize in decluttering and organizing your living space, creating a more functional and enjoyable environment. In this article, we’ll explore the services provided by home organizers, the cost of hiring one, and help you determine if this is the right choice for you.
What Does a Professional Home Organizer Do?
When you hire a professional home organizer, the first thing they will focus on is decluttering. This means getting rid of items that are taking up valuable space and leaving only the items that you love. A minimalist closet, for example, will make it much easier for you to get dressed in the morning.
After decluttering, the organizer will help you determine the best way to set up your space based on functionality. They will ask you a lot of questions about the flow and usage of the space to create an easy-to-maintain system that works for you. For instance, if you wear business attire five days a week, they will create space for it front and center in your closet instead of tucking it away to the side. The goal is to make everything as user-friendly as possible, so you can easily grab what you need.
Once a system has been created, the organizer will work with you to provide a designated home for everything that you’re keeping. This may include adding organizational products to the space to contain the various items. The goal here is to make it crystal clear where all items belong so someone off the street can know exactly where to put everything back. Labels are the icing on the cake in this step.
The end product of the organizing process won’t only be pleasing to the eye but will also help the household flow more smoothly and methodically. Hiring a professional home organizer will save you time and reduce stress, giving you a more organized and functional space.
What to Consider
When deciding to hire a home organizer, there are several factors to consider. These include the specialty of the organizer, their training, the scope of the project, the timeline, and the budget. By taking these factors into account, you can ensure that you find the right organizer for your needs.
Specialty
One important factor to consider when hiring a home organizer is their specialty. Some organizers have expertise in certain areas, such as children’s playrooms, closet design, kitchen and pantries, and sentimental decluttering. It’s important to find an organizer who has experience in the areas that you need help with.
Training
Another important factor to consider is the organizer’s training. Look for an organizer who has invested in their education and is a member of a professional organization such as the National Association of Productivity + Organizing Professionals (NAPO), the National Association of Black Professional Organizers (NABPO), or the Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD). Organizers who carry the designation of “Certified Professional Organizer” or “Certified Professional Organizer in Chronic Disorganization” have invested several years in both education and hours with clients.
Scope of Project
Defining the scope of your project is crucial when hiring a home organizer. During the consultation, you can discuss which areas of your home you want to organize and how you want to approach the project. Organizers are trained to work on multiple projects and will often encourage clients to think through all the spaces they desire to organize during the consultation, then break those into a series of visits or projects spread out over several days to several months.
Timeline
The timeline is an important consideration when hiring a home organizer. Professional organizers typically book services several weeks in advance of a project, so reaching out in advance can help you discover availability. If you’re moving, keep in mind that decluttering and downsizing is considered one stage, and packing and moving is another stage. An organizer is most likely not going to be able to get you on the calendar last minute, so reach out the moment you know your move is happening.
Budget
Home organizers have varying prices and packages, so it’s important to consider your budget when hiring an organizer. Some organizers charge per hour, while others charge per project. Many organizers have a minimum number of hours or spaces, and they may offer to bring on additional sets of hands or team members to lessen the amount of time a project takes. It’s important to get an itemized breakdown of what is or isn’t included in the services and to understand the cost of organizing products like containers, which is a separate fee from the organizing project/hours.
Hiring a Home Organizer
When you decide to hire a home organizer, the first step is usually a consultation. During this consultation, the organizer will try to understand your needs and timeline. Some organizers may screen clients for fit via phone or virtual Zoom calls before visiting a client at their home. They may also charge for an in-home consultation up front, which will be credited to the project cost. The consultation typically takes one to two hours, depending on the scope of the project(s).
The home organizer will invite you to show them the spaces that need support, discuss your vision, identify obstacles, take measurements, and set expectations in terms of timeline and budget. It is essential to hire a person who puts you at ease. Professional organizers are trained not to judge clients, and if at any point you feel uncomfortable, you should communicate the lack of fit.
After the consultation, you will receive a proposal with an estimation of the cost and a customized plan. Some organizers may require a down payment before booking the project. It is crucial to review the proposal carefully and ask any questions before agreeing to the project.
Here are some key points to keep in mind when hiring a home organizer:
- Expect a consultation to understand your needs and timeline.
- Hire a person who puts you at ease and does not judge you.
- Review the proposal carefully and ask any questions before agreeing to the project.
- Some organizers may require a down payment before booking the project.
Costs of a Home Organizer
When it comes to hiring a home organizer, the costs can vary depending on the location, specialty, project scope, and experience. On average, clients can expect to pay anywhere from $75 to $250 per hour. Packaged hours may include a small discount of 5% to 10%. If you hire a traveling organizer, they may charge for flight, hotel, and per diem while on site.
The higher end of the price range is usually found in larger cities with a higher cost of living. If someone quotes you lower than $65 an hour, they are likely not a trained organizer and are probably just going to tidy your things. For a mid-size city, you can expect to pay $85 to $150.
Although hiring a home organizer is an investment, once the system is set up, you won’t have to redo it. Maintenance programs are also offered at discounted rates, as sometimes life happens and things slide, so organizers can come in and refresh the space.
Who Would Benefit from Hiring a Home Organizer?
If you are a busy professional, a family with young children, a senior looking to downsize, or someone going through a life transition such as marriage, new baby, divorce, or loss of a loved one, hiring a home organizer could be beneficial for you. In fact, anyone who wants a more organized and efficient space could benefit from this experience.
Home organizers provide non-judgmental support and customized solutions to create a clutter- and stress-free home for you. They work with extremely organized people who don’t have the time or energy to create organized systems, as well as families that try everything but can never get it to the finish line and it is to the point of causing major friction within the home. Home organizers are also hired by people who want to involve others (kids/partner) in the care and keeping of their home, let go of emotions like shame or nostalgia, and create a team approach with a therapist or other health professional.
People who want less items overall in their space, a better understanding of what they own, to clearly see what they have and know where items belong, to make a space more functional and accessible, and better health habits (lower stress, better sleep, less anxiety) would benefit from hiring a home organizer.
Overall, if you want to create a more organized and efficient space, hiring a home organizer could be a great solution for you. They provide customized solutions that cater to your specific needs and help you achieve a clutter-free and stress-free home.
Who Wouldn’t Benefit from Hiring a Home Organizer?
Working with a home organizer can be advantageous for most people, but there are certain situations in which it may not be the best option for you. Here are some scenarios in which hiring a home organizer may not be the right choice:
- If you are not yet prepared to part with your belongings, a home organizer may not be able to help you effectively. Decluttering is a crucial aspect of home organizing, and if you’re not willing to let go of items, the process may not be successful.
- If you require deep cleaning or services that go beyond the scope of what home organizers typically offer, you may need to hire a different type of service provider.
- If you are not willing to maintain an organized space after the process is complete, the benefits of hiring a home organizer may be short-lived. It’s important to be committed to maintaining an organized space to reap the full benefits of the process.
- If you’re expecting home organizing services to be low-cost or free, you may be disappointed. Home organizing is a dedicated profession, and the cost of services reflects the expertise and time required.
Additionally, if you’re already highly organized and have an effective system in place, hiring a home organizer may not be necessary. If you’re facing financial difficulties, the cost of hiring a home organizer may be prohibitive. In this case, a DIY solution may be a better option.
It’s also important to note that hiring a home organizer for someone else may not be the best idea. Home organizing is a personal process, and it’s crucial for the organizer to communicate directly with the client to ensure that their needs and preferences are met.
