FAQ
Why should I hire a Professional Organizer?
A professional organizer works with you in a compassionate and non-judgmental way, providing hands-on help, encouragement and problem-solving skills to create streamlined, orderly spaces for you and your family, downsize, combine homes, or move into a new home.
How do we get started?
Contact us here, tell us what prompted you to contact an organizer, what rooms/areas you’d like organized, and any other details you’d like to include. We will call or email you (whichever you prefer) to set up an initial, free phone consultation. We’ll discuss your needs and how we can help. Once we’ve chatted, the next step is either booking a time for an in-person consultation (required for packages 12 hours+) or booking a time to get started!
Will you make me get rid of things I don’t want to?
Absolutely not! Our job is to help you determine what things you truly love, and what things you are ready to part with. We’ll ask you questions to guide your choices, but all decisions are up to you!
I don’t want anyone to know I’m using your services. Will you keep my information confidential?
I follow rules of confidentiality in accordance with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Document Act (PIPEDA), as well as the Professional Organizers in Canada (POC) Code of Ethics. The only situations in which confidentiality may be broken are related to safety, or in situations required by law.
I take pictures before, during, and after projects so clients can see the progress they’ve made. Any pictures I take are only used for promotional purposes if the client gives express, written permission to do so. Anything that could identify a client will be blurred out/removed from the photos prior to being used.
I’m sure my place is the worst you’ve seen. Can you still help me? Will it cost a fortune to get me on track?
We tend to look at our own spaces with a very critical eye. I can promise that I will evaluate your needs without judgment and we will work together to develop a plan. I always like to say, ‘How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.’ We can break projects into small bites that can be spread over a longer time period to address both overwhelm and affordability.
Occasionally, I have clients who have more significant challenges with organizing for a variety of reasons, such as a mental health diagnosis that affects organizational ability, past trauma, hoarding disorder or other reasons. If after assessment, we determine this to be the case, I will recommend another local organizer who specializes in this type of work.
Can I book appointments on weekends and evenings?
Consultation appointments are available in the evening and can be done in person or virtually. Most organizing appointments are on weekdays between 9:30 am & 3 pm. Evenings and weekend appointments can be arranged if you are unavailable during those hours or have an urgent deadline to meet. Please contact us for any scheduling concerns. We will do our best to accommodate you!
Do I have to be home when you’re organizing my space?
Once we have completed our phone consultation and/or our in-person assessment and agreed on an organization plan, I can get to work, with or without you present. I will need to be able to contact you with questions as they arise while I am onsite if the answer has an impact on work continuing without delay. All decisions about what items will be kept and disposed of are to be made by you, so we will need some time together for this part of the process. *Right-sizing clients are required to work with organizers at all sessions.
What is your cancellation/scheduling change policy?
Any changes to scheduled appointments must be made no less than 48 hours before the scheduled appointment. Every effort will be made to honor reasonable requests for rescheduling. Cancellation of a scheduled date with less than 48 hours’ notice will be billed at 50% of the agreed-upon rate which will be due upon cancellation. Provided 48 hours’ notice is given to cancel the scheduled date, and the client’s wish is not to proceed with any services, the deposit will be refunded less an administration fee stated in your contract.
Do I need to spend a lot of extra money on storage containers?
Any product purchases are completely up to you. You may choose to get new containers for a variety of reasons including uniformity, you don’t have enough storage containers, or you want to have some lovely new items that double as storage and decor. We can recommend storage products across a wide price range, or if you prefer, we will use what you already own.
When is payment due and what forms of payment do you accept?
A 50% deposit will be required when you sign your service agreement with the balance due on the day of the first session. We accept cash, cheque, or e-transfer at this time.