1.  How do I know if I need a professional organiser?

• Are you stressed by the clutter in your home?
• Are you embarrassed to have visitors because of the mess?
• Are the piles of papers getting out of control on your desk?
• Do you often have trouble finding your keys or other important items
• Have you paid late fees for overdue bills
• Do you feel like you have so little time to deal with the clutter and it’s getting you down
• Is your dining table so cluttered you have to eat elsewhere?
• Have you created a ‘floordrobe’ for your clothes?
• Do you have out of date food lurking in your kitchen cupboard?
• Do you have unopened boxes left over from your house move?
• Is your home office so cluttered that your business is suffering?
• Is it difficult to access some areas of your home due to clutter?
• Do you feel overwhelmed just thinking about these questions?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may need the assistance of a professional organiser to help get you back on track.

2.  What are some of the benefits of being more organised?

More time, more money and feeling better
Sorting out the clutter and organising your home may be the best thing you can do to restore a sense of wellbeing to your everyday life. Spending a few hours organising and decluttering may be all it takes to bring peace of mind and reward you with some extra time in your day. It can also save you money by avoiding those late fees and the cost of replacing lost items. Most of all, after managing the mess, you will look forward to spending time in your home again.

3.  What should I do to prepare for your visit?

Have some garbage bags and empty cardboard boxes handy, but otherwise there is no need to do anything, you don’t even need to tidy up before I come. It is better to see how things are, so I can work out the best way to help.

4.  Will I need to throw things away?

Only you can decide what to throw away. I will certainly support you in making your decisions. I always consider the environment when we’re decluttering; any items in good condition that are no longer needed can be donated to charity, recycled or I can show you ways to sell your items.

5. How much does it cost to hire Organise for Life?

Initial Consultation
I offer a Needs Assessment at your home to determine your organising needs, work out a plan of action, estimate the time involved and make any physical layout recommendations. This usually takes up to 2 hours, and you will be involved in the plan every step of the way. Following that you can choose to book some hands on organising sessions.

Organising and Decluttering
I usually recommended allowing 3 to 4 hours per hands on organising appointment, to allow each job to be completed thoroughly, although this is flexible depending on the job. At Organise for Life, I can equip you to maintain your room or space in the longer term and I will be happy to stay in touch with you to help you achieve your organising goals.

The best way to find out more about the fees is to contact me for a chat about your needs. There is no obligation, just a quick phone call and I can let you know how the process works.

6. How long will it take to organise my space?

It depends on the size of the room, whether you have a lot of items to go through and how quickly you make decisions about them. People feel differently about their belongings and the amount of meaning attached to them. There’s no right or wrong in this; we just work at a comfortable pace for you, preferably on something that can be worked on in a three to four hour session. Some people choose the option of a regular time each week or fortnight as an organising appointment, depending on what they want to achieve; one-off appointments suit some people to kick start their own organising progress or alternatively you can book a block of time and really get things going quickly.

7.  How do I pay?

All payments are by cash, cheque or electronic transfer at the completion of work.

8.  Confidentiality

Organise for Life is an accredited member of the Australasian Association of Professional Organisers and we abide by the Professional Code of Ethics. Confidentiality and privacy in our services is assured.

9.  Gift Vouchers

We can offer organising gift vouchers for friends and family who have said they would like to declutter but don’t know where to start. It’s a good idea to talk with the person first to see how they feel about a gift voucher for our services. It’s a big decision for some people so I always offer to chat with the person about what I do if they’re unsure.

10. What if my kids are at home for the appointment?

It isn’t always easy to find childcare when you need it. We will happily work with you if you need to look after small children at the time of the appointment. As with any distraction though, you may find you achieve less during the time than you would have otherwise.

11. I’m embarassed about the mess

Try not to worry about what it looks like and there’s no need to feel guilty about the way things are. There’s no judgement involved, everyone’s circumstances are different and I have seen a lot of homes. Be courageous and get in touch with me; once you’ve done that the rest will fall into place.

12. My relative needs some help with organising and decluttering

Sometimes another family member offers to purchase our services for a loved one. This works well, as long as the client is aware of the arrangement and is willing and motivated to participate in the service. In this case  we can provide a separate invoice for the relative.

13. Do you work with people who have hoarding difficulties?

Yes we do. We provide an understanding and non judgemental service. In some cases we may also work alongside health professionals depending on the situation.

14. Do you take “before and after” photographs?

I don’t require before and after photographs as part of an organising session, generally out of respect for privacy and appreciating the sensitivity of some situations. If a client particularly wants photographs, they do work well as visual reminders of a space or to provide feedback at the end of a session.

15. What is a Professional Organiser?

Professional Organisers make the old adage “work smarter not harder” come to life. They create customised solutions to help others get organised. Providing education, hands on help and moral support to assist clients find balance, restore order and maximise their resources, a Professional Organiser can make a significant contribution to the effectiveness of your environment at home or work.