Hiring a professional organizer may seem extreme. Until you reap the results. Getting organized seems so simple — file away paperwork, clean out your closet, or spend a Saturday organizing the garage. But most of us don’t take the time.
Professional Organizer Heidi DeCoux says even the most organized among us have problems with paper — bills, invitations, tax papers, and mail. She recommends keeping an “active file,” separate from long-term files, as a place to put bills to pay and invites that need a response. DeCoux names paperwork as the No. 1 issue that households struggle with.
She ranks the lack of systems that keep items where they belong as the second biggest issue. “Even houses that are pretty organized run into problems,” she says. A basket becomes a dumping ground, a jumble of keys, soy sauce packets, rubber bands, and such. “An organizer can set up systems so that everything has its place,” DeCoux says.
Another problem she sees is memorabilia, which can get ruined in basements or attics over time. She suggests selecting the most precious items to frame and display. “You end up with 10 or 15 items that you can honor, instead of 150 sitting in a basement,” she says.
To find an organizer near you to help conquer these issues and other problems, go to the National Association of Professional Organizers website. Expect to pay $45 to $75 an hour, though some pros may negotiate a flat rate. Some may agree to simply oversee a big project, such as unpacking after a move, especially if you have friend and family volunteers helping you.
Consider a professional organizer’s specialty when hiring. “There are organizers who just do garages, or the kitchen pantry, or closets or Christmas decorations,” DeCoux says. You’ll get a much better result if you interview the pros and look at where they’ve had the most experience working with clients.
Do You Need a Professional Organizer?
By Jennifer Chappell Smith
Hiring a professional organizer may seem extreme. Until you reap the results. Getting organized seems so simple — file away paperwork, clean out your closet, or spend a Saturday organizing the garage. But most of us don’t take the time.
Professional Organizer Heidi DeCoux says even the most organized among us have problems with paper — bills, invitations, tax papers, and mail. She recommends keeping an “active file,” separate from long-term files, as a place to put bills to pay and invites that need a response. DeCoux names paperwork as the No. 1 issue that households struggle with.
She ranks the lack of systems that keep items where they belong as the second biggest issue. “Even houses that are pretty organized run into problems,” she says. A basket becomes a dumping ground, a jumble of keys, soy sauce packets, rubber bands, and such. “An organizer can set up systems so that everything has its place,” DeCoux says.
Another problem she sees is memorabilia, which can get ruined in basements or attics over time. She suggests selecting the most precious items to frame and display. “You end up with 10 or 15 items that you can honor, instead of 150 sitting in a basement,” she says.
To find an organizer near you to help conquer these issues and other problems, go to the National Association of Professional Organizers website. Expect to pay $45 to $75 an hour, though some pros may negotiate a flat rate. Some may agree to simply oversee a big project, such as unpacking after a move, especially if you have friend and family volunteers helping you.
Consider a professional organizer’s specialty when hiring. “There are organizers who just do garages, or the kitchen pantry, or closets or Christmas decorations,” DeCoux says. You’ll get a much better result if you interview the pros and look at where they’ve had the most experience working with clients.