Professional Organizer: Should You Hire One?

We know that if we want to redesign or redecorate our home, we have the option of doing it ourselves or hiring an interior designer. Now, there are professionals who can help us get organized.

If you watch the home improvement television shows on stations such as HGTV, there are shows where professional organizers assist people in getting rid of clutter and redesigning their rooms by adding additional storage, moving furniture around, and sometimes purchasing pieces that function in more than one way.

You can do the same. If you are overwhelmed with the clutter in your home, you can hire the services of a professional organizer. Search the Internet and you will probably be able to find one in your local area.

When hiring a professional organizer, you will want to ask questions as you would of a professional interior designer. You will want to know

• Their rate by the hour or by the day
• Their experience in this type of work
• References of other clients
• Is there a fee for an initial consultation?
• Is there a follow-up session? How is progress monitored?
• What actually happens during the process?
• Will a subcontractor be needed for some of the work?
• Will there be a checklist and a timetable to follow?

At the initial consultation, the professional organizer will walk through your home with you. They will offer suggestions about changes you can make. Some professional organizers will create a design of the room or rooms you plan to change and a plan to accomplish the tasks.

The plan that is presented will include tasks you need to perform. Only you can decide what is important and what is not important to you in your home. They will probably bring supplies such as boxes for you to put items in and label them. They will ask you to separate the items you want to keep and the items that can be given away. Trash bags will be handy for the items to be thrown away.

Part of the plan may include additional storage methods, such as utilizing items you may already have on hand. You can use a trunk that is sitting in the attic or the basement to store bed linens at the foot of your bed. You may want to paint it to match the decor of the room.

Using a professional organizer to assist you in home organization may save you some time and will give you a jump start for the commitment you have made. Many professional organizers have training in interior design so the advice they offer will be for your specific needs and concerns.