How the Organizing Process Usually Works
When you email or call me (this is an essential first step,
so don't
neglect it!), we set up a time for your free phone consultation, or do it right then.
As we're getting to know each other, you can request email addresses and phone numbers of past/current clients if you'd like to talk to them, and if you want to get a head start on the process, you can fill out my new client form.
In our phone consultation, you describe your situation to me, I take notes, and I make sure I understand what you're looking for, and am certain that I can help you! (That's almost always the case.) We set a day and time for me to come by.
I show up with organizing kit in hand. (It contains garbage bags, labels, markers, tape measure, Post-Its, folders, etc.)
The first session, three hours long, includes a needs assessment, in which you give me a tour of your space, I take copious notes, you tell me about the problems you're having, and we brainstorm ideas. Next, we develop a written prioritized plan of attack. This takes about half the session, or 1 1/2 hours. The remaining time is used for working together on the space, and the following is also the model for subsequent sessions.
If there is a lot of trash around, such as empty food packages, junk mail, stained/holey clothes, etc., we start by throwing it out, so we can more easily see what to sort.
We sort your remaining stuff into categories, and as we go, select more items to toss, give, or sell. I coach you to keep only things you truly love, need, or use, and let go of the rest, pushing only as far as you feel comfortable.
We do a surface cleaning as we go.
We put the loved, needed, and used stuff away, in temporary containers if necessary, and identify containers for you to buy on your own (or we plan for me to shop on my own, or for us to go shopping together).
We talk about strategies for maintaining the space. I make specific suggestions depending on your particular personality, likes/dislikes, and techniques that have worked or not worked in the past. My ultimate goal is to make it so you don't need me anymore.
When Andrew joins me for a session, we utilize the double manpower however seems suitable to the task. Sometimes we all work together, and sometimes we each work in a different area and the client goes back and forth as needed. Sometimes one of us runs out for supplies. Sometimes it takes both of us to move furniture around. Usually I call the shots and Andrew does more of the running around, but that's worked well so far. :-)
Sometimes all it takes is one three-or-four-hour session to get control of a desk, a bedroom, and so on. More often, it's two sessions. It depends on the level of clutter. I always make sure to leave the area neat, even if there's work left to do by the end of the session. If you like, I can take a modest amount of donations to Goodwill for you.
We schedule the next session. I recommend spacing the sessions no more than a week apart, so we can maintain the momentum and keep the space the way you want it! I'm always available for questions via email or phone in between sessions.
As we're getting to know each other, you can request email addresses and phone numbers of past/current clients if you'd like to talk to them, and if you want to get a head start on the process, you can fill out my new client form.
In our phone consultation, you describe your situation to me, I take notes, and I make sure I understand what you're looking for, and am certain that I can help you! (That's almost always the case.) We set a day and time for me to come by.
I show up with organizing kit in hand. (It contains garbage bags, labels, markers, tape measure, Post-Its, folders, etc.)
The first session, three hours long, includes a needs assessment, in which you give me a tour of your space, I take copious notes, you tell me about the problems you're having, and we brainstorm ideas. Next, we develop a written prioritized plan of attack. This takes about half the session, or 1 1/2 hours. The remaining time is used for working together on the space, and the following is also the model for subsequent sessions.
If there is a lot of trash around, such as empty food packages, junk mail, stained/holey clothes, etc., we start by throwing it out, so we can more easily see what to sort.
We sort your remaining stuff into categories, and as we go, select more items to toss, give, or sell. I coach you to keep only things you truly love, need, or use, and let go of the rest, pushing only as far as you feel comfortable.
We do a surface cleaning as we go.
We put the loved, needed, and used stuff away, in temporary containers if necessary, and identify containers for you to buy on your own (or we plan for me to shop on my own, or for us to go shopping together).
We talk about strategies for maintaining the space. I make specific suggestions depending on your particular personality, likes/dislikes, and techniques that have worked or not worked in the past. My ultimate goal is to make it so you don't need me anymore.
When Andrew joins me for a session, we utilize the double manpower however seems suitable to the task. Sometimes we all work together, and sometimes we each work in a different area and the client goes back and forth as needed. Sometimes one of us runs out for supplies. Sometimes it takes both of us to move furniture around. Usually I call the shots and Andrew does more of the running around, but that's worked well so far. :-)
Sometimes all it takes is one three-or-four-hour session to get control of a desk, a bedroom, and so on. More often, it's two sessions. It depends on the level of clutter. I always make sure to leave the area neat, even if there's work left to do by the end of the session. If you like, I can take a modest amount of donations to Goodwill for you.
We schedule the next session. I recommend spacing the sessions no more than a week apart, so we can maintain the momentum and keep the space the way you want it! I'm always available for questions via email or phone in between sessions.