StartFresh - FAQ's

What is a professional organizer?
A professional organizer is someone who helps you get and stay organized by providing information, recommendations, resource referrals, products and services. A professional organizer provides hands-on organizing along with lifestyle and skill coaching to help you change unwanted habits that are getting in your way and learn new habits that help you achieve your goals.

What are the benefits of working with a Professional Organizer?
If clutter and/or disorganization are causing stress, financial problems or chaos in your life, working with a professional organizer can make a huge difference. A professional organizer can pose the questions you need to answer about your home or office (for example: “How would you ultimately like to use this space?” or “How do you want to feel when you sit at your desk?”), identify the tasks/projects required to get you there, and help you make it happen.

What factors should I consider when hiring a Professional Organizer?
Getting organized is in many ways an intuitive process. As a result, you want to work with someone who asks you a lot of questions about how you live and how you want to use your space so that the end result will be customized to your needs. You are inviting the organizer into your home or office and you need to feel comfortable with their professionalism and knowledge. While there is no “degree” available in professional organizing, you want your organizer to be a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) and to take advantage of their educational opportunities.

How does the process work? (How will you know if you can help me?)
Our initial contact will be by phone. We will talk for 20-30 minutes so that I can learn about your needs, you can learn about my services, and we can determine if we are a good fit. I will then come to your home or office for an initial consultation. At this time we will work together to clarify your goals and priorities. I will prepare a contract for our work together, and we will begin with a 3-4 hour session. You will have many opportunities to ask questions during this initial process and all along the way.

What will it cost to get organized?
It is not possible to determine at the beginning of an organizing project what the ultimate cost will be. There are many factors to consider such as the time required for the project (e.g. organizing an office takes longer than a closet), how prepared you are to let go of items, how quickly you can make decisions, and how much “homework” you want to do between sessions. I will present opportunities along the way to keep costs lower by teaching you how to get your projects done as easily and as quickly as possible.

How long does organizing usually take?
Just like trying to determine cost, it depends. Each project and client is different. It may take 3-8 hours to complete a kitchen or playroom. An office usually requires many more hours due to the detailed nature of organizing paper and the number of decisions required by the client or other household members. Most sessions run 3 to 4 hours each. As a result, projects generally require several sessions. The client’s availability often determines how quickly a project can be completed.

Do I need to buy organizing products?
Not initially, and possibly not at all. I will make every effort to use the tools already available in your home or office. Depending on the goals of the project, it may be necessary to purchase bins, file folders, etc. We will work together to decide what you need and where it can be purchased at the least cost to you.

How can I reduce the cost of working with StartFresh, LLC?
When you work with StartFresh, you are in control of deciding how much you want to work with us and how much you want to accomplish on your own between sessions. With a “homework to-do” list in hand, and some helpful family members or friends, you can accomplish a great deal of organizing on your own. Another primary factor in reducing cost is your readiness to let go of clutter. If you are ready to make decisions about your “stuff”, it will take far less time to complete the project. I will help you identify ways to evaluate what you want to keep and what is ready for disposal, donation or sale.

I need your help, but I don’t want you to see my home or office.
I understand. When your home or office feels out of control, it is hard to think about letting someone you don’t know into your space. In my experience, clients are their own worst critics, and are ultimately relieved to get their clutter and disorganization concerns out in the open. Remember, StartFresh is a completely confidential service. My goal is to help you so that you never have to feel the weight of that burden again.

Are you ready to StartFresh?

Gain time each day

Reduce stress

Create more space

Learn new life skills

start fresh, LLC. Email: susan@start-fresh.biz Phone: 704.358.0669 Charlotte NC