What does a Professional Organizer do and why do I need one?
A Professional Organizer isn't just someone that comes in cleans up a bit, and sends you on your merry way. There are many different reasons and circumstances that lead to the place where your things are taking over a large part of your life. The emotional effect can be pretty significant. These feelings, combined with the actual physical clutter, can make it feel daunting and impossible. It can be very overwhelming. A professional organizer comes in and not only brings your home back to a place of comfort, but helps teach you and will put systems in place so it doesn't continue to happen in the future. Of course one of our goals is to leave you feeling refreshed, and with organized spaces. But we also want you to finish with a sense of accomplishment, and the confidence that you won't fall back into old habits.
What are the benefits of staging a home before listing?
When putting your home on the market, there are a few important things that will maximize the return you get on your investment. One of those is staging your home with furniture and accessories that enhance it's character, and make it much more appealing to potential buyers. When someone walks in your home, you want them to feel excited about the potential of living there. If it is messy, full of clutter, or has too many or mismatched and dated furniture pieces and knickknacks, it is off-putting and makes it more difficult for the person to use their imagination. Now picture your space clean, open, full of light, with an inviting, modern presence. It gives your property a feeling of elegance and tranquility. The process can vary, and can include rearranging or removing existing furniture, adding light and small accessories, decluttering, and cleaning. It can also mean starting over fresh and redesigning the entire space. It depends on the needs of each situation. And whether it is by getting multiple offers, or selling for more than asking price, the investment will pay off in a big way.
How much will it cost?
In regards to home organization or downsizing, the amount of time it takes depends on how many goals we set, and how quickly we are able to move through the spaces together. I can work independently for many projects, but for some we will work together as a team. I am very efficient, but will go at whatever speed works for you. Some people will be farther along in their organizing journey, and will be ready to purge and organize and move quickly. Some need a little more coaching, education and support. The latter can always add to the bottom line, but it is important to work through the process at the pace you are most comfortable. My client's well being will always be the most important piece of this for me.
Consultations
Because every home and situation is different, I do recommend booking a consultation so we can decide what packages work best for you. We will make a plan after viewing your home, and discussing your goals. I offer a complimentary 15 minute virtual consultation via phone or FaceTime. My in home consultation are as follows:
Home organization consultations are $75.00 and they last between 30-60 minutes. For larger downsizing projects, consultations are $100.00 and last about an hour. If we get started, anything above the hour is billed at my standard hourly rate.
For my home staging and design services, I charge $100.00 for consultations. Proposals will be sent after our walk through, and will depend on square footage, hours, furniture and accessories needed, and any additional services requested (decluttering, junk removal, small repairs, small landscaping/curb appeal tasks, etc). I can work within almost any budget, and offer many staging options. That can range from using what is already in the home, to comprehensive, fully furnished staging projects and everything in between. I can only offer furniture rentals with a minimum booking of $1500.00. I can bill the agent and/or homeowner directly.
Home and Office Organization Packages
Virtual (1 hour) $100.00: This session will be done via phone, FaceTime, Zoom, or even social media messenger programs. We will discuss all of your organizing questions, make plans for different areas throughout your home, talk about products, my recommendations and space planning/design. I will give you a plan and support, and help you work through different obstacles that may be hindering your ability to get and stay organized. Additional hours beyond or initial consultation are charged at my standard hourly rate based on the packages listed below. Discounts available with prepaid sessions.
The Mini (2 hours) $200.00: This is an in home session where I give you ideas and a plan on how to organize your home. I will recommend different products, do space planning and design, and help you take measurements. As time allows (depending on the size of the project), I will help you start the process.
The Inspired Package (3 hours) $240.00: This is by far my most popular starter package. During this session we will tackle all of the above, and it will give us enough time to start transforming spaces!
The Organized Package (6 hours): $480.00: In addition to all of the above, I will be able to tackle 6 hours worth of all things organization! A lot can be accomplished with this package.
Elite (10+ hours): For larger jobs, I offer a discounted rate with prepayment. You will lock in a rate of $75.00/hr for all prepaid sessions. You will also receive two complimentary 30 minute phone or virtual sessions to give you support, and help you continue to keep the spaces organized.
Additional Services
Downsizing / Life transitions ($125.00/hr): I love to help people move on to the next phase of their lives. I specialize in helping seniors move from their larger family homes to retirement and/or assisted living communities. This can be a very emotional and sometimes heavy time, and I provide the support and encouragement you need while working through your home, processing each item. I visit your new home and take pictures and measurements, and help you decide what furniture, decor and personal items will fit, as well as continue to provide that comforting feeling of being at "home". My goal is for you to end up being surrounded by only the things that fill your soul, bring a smile to your face, or spark a memory that fills your heart with joy. As we work through the process, I will help you decide what you should sell, donate, throw away or keep for your new home. For all downsizing projects, I require a minimum booking of 5 sessions. I prefer to approach important life transitions thoughtfully, and can only honor this promise to my clients by setting this minimum.
Moving/Packing Services ($150.00/hr): If you have already downsized, and are just in need of packing, we will come in and quickly work through spaces, taking extreme care wrapping and packing your belongings. We can also transport your smaller boxes and items to your new home, and provide you with referrals to our preferred movers and junk haulers for the larger items, and can arrange those services as well. We bill supplies at cost.
Donation Drop off: I charge a flat rate of $40.00 with any booked package. I can also arrange pick up for many of your larger items through my partnerships with many local non profits. Unfortunately we cannot help with large, bulky TV's, hazardous waste, sleeper sofas or mattresses. I can provide referrals to our preferred junk removal companies for anything we cannot find a home for.
Consignment: In certain circumstances I offer consignment services, but that will be decided on a case by case basis. I prefer to take care of any sales while on the job. If it is outside of a normal session, I charge $50.00/hr in 15 minute increments.
Maintenance: I am now offering a local subscription service for busy families and professionals, who would like to maintain the progress we've made, but just don't have the time. Similar to the housecleaner you have come to your home every 2 weeks, I will pop in and keep the systems I created in good working order. I will quickly fold towels, file fold and hang clothing, put away toys in their designated areas, quickly organize anything out of place in your pantry, bedrooms, etc or any areas we have already organized. This is not a cleaning service, but rather one that works as a support to you and your service provider. With systems in place, and regular upkeep, you will always have a home that is clean and organized, reducing stress for everyone in the home, and leaving you with extra time to spend on the things you enjoy the most! This service is only available locally (Issaquah, Sammamish) for the time being, but will be expanded in 2020.
Bronze level $150 - 2 hour biweekly service
Silver level $150 - 2 hour weekly service
Gold level $300 - 4 hour weekly service (divided as 2 hours, 2 times a week)
Platinum level $450 - 6 hour weekly service (divided as 2 hours, 3 times a week, or 3 hours 2 times a week.
*My standard rates are for a typical household. Extreme situations will be quoted on an individual basis. Inspired and Organized reserves the right to adjust rates as necessary.
CANCELLATION POLICY: We require 48 hours advanced notice to cancel or reschedule. If you cancel within these hours we will need to bill you for the hours reserved for your project.
Will I need to get rid of all my stuff and become a minimalist?!
Absolutely not! While there can be a lot of freedom that comes with purging, I do not believe in a restrictive approach to home organization. Some people are to the point where they just want it out! Others are still very connected to their belongings. And there is nothing wrong with feeling that connection. I can help you organize your spaces, and that will not be dependent on what you decide to keep, and what you decide to let go.
Keep or Gift?
While going through your home, we will decide what will be kept (and organized), what will be donated or gifted, and what you can just kick to the curb! As mentioned above, I have relationships with different non profits, and can arrange for donation pick up of your larger pieces. I also offer donation drop off for a flat rate of $40.00.
Below are a few of my favorite organizations that I will gift your items to, where they will be appreciated and given a second life.
* Eastside Baby Corner
* Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank
* Habitat for Humanity
* Hopelink
What are the benefits of getting organized?
Where do I start? The mental health effects of clutter and disorganization have been explored in depth more recently. It can feel suffocating when our belongings start taking up so much time and space in our lives. Without systems in place, you can continually attempt to "declutter", and still feel like you aren't seeing real results. This is because cleaning up a space without thinking about how to keep it that way, is just a temporary fix that can lead to even more feelings of frustration. Mental and physical clutter are both things that need to be dealt with, in order to bring the peace back into our lives that we so desperately need. We sacrifice hours of our lives, devoting them to taming and dealing with our "things". Toys litter our homes, garages are packed with bins and boxes instead of vehicles, and we find ourselves in a difficult position when trying to get rid of the belongings that were originally purchased to bring feelings of joy or comfort. It has been proven that a cluttered home can actually markedly increase stress hormones circulating in our bloodstream. One of my main reasons for starting Inspired and Organized, is knowing that once we are finished, you will feel such a tremendous sense of relief, and will end up living a healthier, happier life.
How do I get started, and what should I expect?
The first step is reaching out to schedule your complimentary 15 minute phone consultation. We will discuss your goals, your hopes for your space(s), your availability and your budget. If you decide we click and want to move forward, the next step would be to schedule your in home consultation. This is where we will carefully craft a plan to start tackling the goals we set in the phone consult. It will run $75.00, and lasts about a half hour to 45 minutes. The real estate staging consultation and/or downsizing fee is $100.00. I offer flexible scheduling options, and can tailor our sessions to what works best for you. For home organization services, I find that scheduling in blocks of 3-4 hours at a time allows for a large amount of work to be accomplished, without facing the burnout that can come with projects of this nature. For staging, the schedule will be based on each individual project, but I will get you on the calendar and staged as soon as possible. I also take last minute requests. To get an idea of what to expect from an outside perspective, head over to my "About" page where you can read testimonials to see what others are saying.
Payment information
My preferred methods of payment are cash and check. I also currently accept credit cards
through Quickbooks (Processing fee will be applied tocredit/debit cards and ACH transfers).
Payment is due prior to each session.
For home staging consultations, I can bill the agent or homeowner directly,
and am a preferred consultant with many brokerages.