What is a professional organizer?
How are they trained?
How do I know if they can solve my particular problem?
Will the person I speak with be the one to do the work?
Do I have to be there while the work is being done?
What if I want to do the work myself?
How much do professional organizers cost?
What if I need containers, shelves, file cabinets, or other products?
Will they try to convince me to get rid of things?
Can an organizer help me sell or donate things, or haul things away?
I have valuable items and confidential documents. Can I trust an organizer?
Truthfully, I'm embarrassed for anyone to see my mess.
Once the task is completed, I'm afraid I will return to my bad habits

What is a professional organizer?
Professional organizers apply their skills and the basic principles of organizing to assist people who do not have the time or ability to create order in their homes or offices. They listen to the needs of their clients, offer solutions, implement them, and educate clients on ways to stay organized.

How are they trained?
Professional organizers begin with patience and endurance, a passion for order, a knack for creating it, and a desire to help others. They study guidebooks on organizing, attend seminars and conferences, and learn from experience and networking. Continuing education is a benefit of membership in NAPO. Certified Professional Organizers have met specific minimum standards, and prove through examination and client interaction that they possess the body of knowledge and experience required for certification.

How do I know if they can solve my particular problem?
NAPO members have specialties that are listed beneath their company names in Find an Organizer. Select one or more organizers and discuss your situation over the phone, or have them visit you.

Will the person I speak with be the one to do the work?
Some organizers or sole proprietors. Others have employees or hire other organizers to work under their direction.

Do I have to be there while the work is being done?
That’s up to you. Some clients work with the organizer, or simply answer questions. Organizers are able to work alone, but you will have to be available at some point to answer questions.

What if I want to do the work myself?
That's fine. You can hire a professional organizer as a consultant.

How much do organizers cost?
Typically, they charge by the hour and provide an estimate of how long a project will take. Some will quote a fixed cost. Hourly rates vary from $45 to $150, sometimes higher, depending on the skills required and the expertise of the organizer.

What if I need containers, shelves, file cabinets, or other products?
Organizers recommend and purchase products for you, or advise you where to get them.

Will they try to convince me to get rid of things?
Eliminating things is often part of the solution. If you have trouble parting with things you really don’t need, the organizer will guide you and offer options, but you make the final decision on every item.

Can an organizer help me sell or donate things, or haul things away?
It depends on what you have. At a minimum, an organizer will advise you.

I have valuable items and confidential documents. Can I trust an organizer?
Organizers pledge their honesty and confidentiality, which are critical for sustaining their profession. NAPO members adhere to a code of ethics. If you like, ask for references and proof of insurance.

Truthfully, I’m embarrassed for anyone to see my mess.
Confidentiality plays a role here. Many people are overwhelmed or desperate by the time they call for assistance, so professional organizers are prepared for anything. They strive to be non-judgmental. They are there to solve the problem.

Once the task is completed, I'm afraid I will return to my bad habits.
Part of an organizer’s job is to establish procedures and set up systems that will work best for you and be easy to follow. However, it is not uncommon for clients to call the organizer back for maintenance or instruction, or to find different solutions better suited to the client’s needs and personality.