Top 10 Questions to ask when hiring a Professional Organizer:

1. Do you carry insurance?

The professional organizer will be inside your home or office and will be handling important paperwork and assets. General liability insurance protects you in case of accidental loss of property. InSightful Organizing carries general liability insurance.

2. Is professional organizing your full time profession?

Many people do organizing as a part time or seasonal job. They may not have the experience of an established, full time, professional organizer, and they may have trouble fitting you into their limited hours of operation. Plus, part timers may not be around to help you in the future. InSightful Organizing is an established, full time business enterprise.

3. May I call your references?

A professional organizer will have access to your sensitive documents and asset information. You must be able to trust the organizer you hire. InSightful Organizing can provide a list of references and customer testimonials. Be assured that we keep all your information confidential.

4. Do you have a specialty? Or are you a generalist?

Some organizers specialize in estates only. Others handle clutter, but not paperwork. Generalists tackle all organizing fronts. It’s important to select an organizer with the training and experience for your particular project. InSightful Organizing offers general services to organize your home, home office or small business and to manage both clutter and paperwork. In addition, we provide specialized services in organizing estate documents and in documenting art and other special collections.

5. Do you offer hands-on guidance? Or consulting services only?

Some professional organizers dig in and do the work while others offer guidance and direction so you can take on the project yourself InSightful Organizing works either hands-on or as a consultant.

6. Do you work weekends or evenings? What is your minimum booking time? Do you have a cancellation policy?

If your schedule is limited, be sure the organizer can meet your needs. InSightful Organizing will do its best to work with your schedule. Fees are slightly higher for evenings and weekends. We recommend booking in three-hour sessions, usually three to four times a month, until the project is complete. Regarding cancellation, 24 hours notice is appreciated.

7. How will you bill me?

The last thing you need is another bill to track and pay monthly. Ask if you can pay at the end of each organizing session. InSightful Organizing prefers payment at the end of each session. Long-term clients may choose a monthly billing option.

8. How should I prepare for the first work session?

Your time with an organizer should be as focused as possible to yield the best results. So, simply turn on the answering machine, turn off the cell phone and avoid distractions from children, neighbors and co-workers. InSightful Organizing will instruct you in how to get the most out of each organizing session.

9. Do I need to be there or can you work alone?

Some professional organizers work side-by-side with clients. Others work alone and then unveil the final product. InSightful Organizing can work either way. However, tailoring a system for the client requires that the client work with the organizer or at least be on the premises to help with decision making and to keep the process moving.

10.What professional memberships do you hold? Are you involved in ongoing professional development?

Top professional organizers are members of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) and/or the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization (NSGCD). Ongoing training keeps organizers up-to-date in the latest information and solutions. InSightful Organizing belongs to NAPO and NSGCD. We also stay current with ongoing research in chronic disorganization and participate in certificate programs to expand our knowledge base.

 

E-mail: lynda@insightfulorganizing.com