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I'm the sole owner and operator of Clutterbugs, and I specialize in home organizing services. This includes organizing anything from garages to home businesses to special collections. If it's inside the home, I can organize it!
You can contact me if you have a specific question re: your particular project.
Below you'll find some general information on FAQs, services, policies, and pricing.
Click on a question below to jump directly to the answer...
(2) What is a follow-up consultation?
(3) Do you just do all the organizing yourself?
(5) Do you help pick out organizers too?
(6) You don't really live near me - can I still hire you?
(8) Do you charge by the hour or by type of project?
(9) Are organizers included in the project price?
(10) Do you offer any discounts?
(11) What if I make an appointment and need to cancel it or reschedule it for some reason?
(12) Do you guarantee your organizing services?
More questions here.
(1) I've been thinking about hiring a professional organizer, but I'm unfamiliar with how it works. What can I expect?
Well, each professional organizer will handle things differently..so I'll talk to exactly what I do.
If you contact me as a potential client, whether by email or phone, we would discuss your organizing problem but not in a lot of detail.
I initially just need to know if I have the expertise to do the job correctly. If not, I'll recommend another professional organizer that can help you. Otherwise, I'll set up an appointment with you for an initial consult.
The initial consult is free of charge, and it's a way for me to get my eyes on the situation, talk to you more in-depth about the results you want to achieve, and provide an estimate of how many hours the project will take.
Two things about the initial consult:
(a) Don't straighten your house before I stop by.
If you do this, I will not "see" the complete picture. I need to view your space as it would be on any given day when no one else but you or your family is around.
(b) This project estimate is not a firm price.
I will give you an idea of project price based on what it has typically cost in the past to complete a similar project. Please note the words "typically" and "similar." No two organizing projects are the same, and so I can't predict the outcome.
Additionally, there is a big variable to any organizing project: you. That is to say, I can predict how long it takes me to organize a certain project, but I cannot do the same for you.
I will make the estimate as precise as humanly possible, that I can promise you!
After the initial consult, if you decide that you're interested in proceeding with a project, then you'll sign a contract for my services and pay a deposit (25% of estimated project fee), and we'll schedule appointments for your follow-up consultations.
(2) What is a follow-up consultation?
That's where the organizing takes place! Normally, the estimated project time will be divided into smaller segments of 3 hours. Each 3-hour period will be scheduled as close together as possible.
For example, if a project is expected to take 12 hours, then we would work Monday - Thursday for 3 hours each day.
(3) Do you just do all the organizing yourself?
9 times out of 10, I do not work by myself. I prefer — and it's also in your best interest — if you work one-on-one with me throughout the home organizing project. You'll get better results that way, hands-down.
However, some of my clients are busy professionals, and it's necessary to work around their schedules. I try to be as accommodating as possible. If there's a situation where you can't be present the entire project, then we can discuss options. But I do stress that this is only in extreme situations.
(4) I'm fairly good at organizing, but I just want to talk ideas with you. Can I just hire you for an hour or two?
Absolutely. A lot of my clients do this very thing. My only stipulation is that I have a 1 hour minimum.
(5) Do you help pick out organizers too?
If you hire me for a complete project, I'll be by your side from beginning to end: purging, sorting, categorizing, and storage selections. I'll give you storage and container options based on your budget and personal style, and you make the final pick.
(6) You don't really live near me - can I still hire you?
I will travel to a client, but I do so only on a case-by-case basis and there are certain extra fees involved. It's best to contact me directly to discuss this.
If you're interested in finding an organizer in your local area, the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) offers a free referral service. Go to the Professional Organizer Directory to find out more.
(7) I'm researching a few professional organizers before I decide which one to hire. Why should I choose your services over another company?
I believe in personality-based organization. Everyone is different, and thus everyone has different organizing needs. One style of organizing will not work for everyone! I want to help you design an organizational system that will work with your personality and lifestyle so that you will stay organized well after I am gone.
(8) Do you charge by the hour or by type of project?
Each project is billed on a hourly basis. Current hourly fee - $50. If travel is necessary - more than 30 minutes - there is a charge of $6.25 for every 15 minutes of driving.
(9) Are organizers included in the project price?
No. The project price covers only my services, expertise, and time. All storage options and supplies are additional and must be purchased by the client.
(10) Do you offer any discounts?
Discounts are available for loyal customers, military members and their families, and senior citizens.
- Clutterbugs Referral Rewards:
If you are a loyal customer and refer 3 customers who go on to book follow-up consults, then you'll receive a $50 gift certificate to use on your next purchase of Clutterbugs organizing services.
Note: Just make sure to either tell me that you referred them or to tell your referral to tell me that YOU sent them! Not valid on any Clutterbugs products sold online.
- Military Discount:
If you or your spouse are serving in any branch of the US Armed Forces (active duty, guard, or reserve status), you'll receive 10% off Clutterbugs hourly rate or seminar/workshop fees.
Note: This discount is only valid on Clutterbugs services where a fee applies. It is not valid on any Clutterbugs products sold online.
- Senior Citizen Discount:
If you are 65 years old or more, you'll receive 10% off the Clutterbugs hourly rate or seminar/workshop fees.
Note: This discount is only valid on Clutterbugs services where a fee applies. It is not valid on any Clutterbugs products sold online.
(11) What if I make an appointment and need to cancel it or reschedule it for some reason?
Initial consults may be cancelled at any time. However, as a courtesy, please provide 24-hour notice if at all possible.
For all other appointments, cancellations must occur no less than 48 hours prior to the appointment for a full refund of deposit. If cancellation occurs after this 48 hour period, then the full deposit will be forfeited by the client.
(12) Do you guarantee your organizing services?
I have a 100% money back guarantee. If you aren't totally satisfied with the outcome, your payment will be completely refunded.
The National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) published a list called "Top 10 Questions to Ask a Potential Professional Organizer." A few of the questions I already answered above. But for the questions I haven't yet answered, I added my response to those questions below.
Question 1: How long have you been in the organizing business, and are you a member of NAPO?
Officially, I became a member of NAPO in March 2007 and opened Clutterbugs in April/May 2007. However, my road to becoming a professional organizer — research, training, and prep — began about 18 months prior.
Question 2: Do you have any training in organizing or related areas?
In my time in the military, I had the opportunity to use my organizational skills in varied ways.
For example...
- Administration:
Office duties were a part of every day — I'm very familiar with creating filing systems for records as well as checklists for office functions and training.
- Relocation services:
The military and moving around the world go hand in hand. I moved 7 times in 7 years, including 4 international transits. I have mastered not just relocating but relocating smoothly and efficiently!
- Speech writing and public speaking:
Communication was the foundation of my job. It was essential that I have the skills to research, build, and present briefings that were well-structured and succinct.
- Time management:
As an officer, I had to juggle the tasks of being a manager and a leader. It was normal to have several bosses as well as several subordinates, and each carried their share of demands.
- Event planning:
The military seeks to make soldiers who are well-rounded and not just about official matters. As a result, I coordinated charitable events like blood drives and fund raisers as well as planned social affairs like promotion ceremonies and holiday parties.
And as for my time after the military, I try to take at least 1 - 2 professional development courses on organizing every 3 months.
Question 3: Are you aware of industry trends?
As a member of NAPO, staying abreast of industry trends is a perk of membership. Additionally, I'm constantly seeking out new training opportunities and researching new organizing techniques to increase my professional knowledge, ultimately bringing that information to my clients.
Question 4: What is your specialty or particular area of expertise, if any?
I have one primary focus area: home organization. I do like new challenges, though, so I'm open to assist in other areas — it just depends on the task.
Question 5: What kinds of organizing projects do you do?
Here is a list of example organizing projects that I would do...
- Establishing effective organizing systems for the closet (adult, child, linen)
- De-cluttering garages to allow space for cars and storage
- Creating filing systems for home offices
- Structuring display options for collectibles
- Building arts and craft storage systems
- Providing hands-on help with moves to new cities in the U.S. or to assisted living facilities
** This list is not all-inclusive. **
Question 6: Who is your typical/usual client?
A good percentage of my clients are female. But I work with different genders, races, occupations, needs...
Question 7: Can you provide references or testimonials?
No problem! I've already got media mentions and testimonials posted online. If you'd like references, contact me to request a list.
