There is hope out there for anyone who is unable to use their overstuffed closets, park their cars in cluttered garages or just find important items in "junk drawers," according to professional organizer Andrea Hancock, owner of Dexterous Organizing in Alexandria.
The National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals or NAPO has dubbed January "Get Organized" month and it's as good a time as any to start in on everything from finally cleaning out the hall closet to organizing important papers, Hancock said.
She was inspired to conquer clutter after watching a TV show called "Clean House" with organizer Linda Koopersmith. "I had been wanting to start my own business," said Hancock, who is also an accountant. She Googled "professional organizer," came across NAPO and "the rest is history."
Deciding Whether to Call a Professional Organizer
Wondering if your mess is a candidate for a pro? Hancock said clients start with a phone call. "I do a 'discovery call,' that allows a person to vent," she said. "That gives me information. I find out what the challenge is, which rooms they're hoping to get organized, what they use the space for and how they envision the space and how they're getting stuck."
After the call, which is free and lasts anywhere from 10 minutes to 30 minutes, Hancock will schedule an in-person consultation, if the client decides to proceed. "They may feel overwhelmed and say they think they're a hoarder, and it's not that bad, while others might say 'I have one cluttered room' and actually it's the whole house."
Hourly rates for a professional organizer range from about $65 to $95 per hour. Hancock estimates the average time for most of her clients' projects are about 12 hours of her time, usually broken down into four-hour visits where she helps clients go through items. Other costs involved include companies that haul away junk and possibly a new closet or organizing system.
There's no need to be embarrassed about your clutter, Hancock said. "We're non-judgmental," she said. "We have suggestions" about what to do with items, depending on what they are.
The hardest items to throw away? "Memorabilia is very tough," she said. "Especially for people with small children. The slew of drawings and artwork can be overwhelming. They ask me 'Am I a bad parent if I throw this away?' There's nothing wrong with keeping them, but when you're not honoring them by sticking them in a bag in a closet..."
Clutter, Hancock said, is "a delayed decision. That's the definition of clutter. Nothing more than a delayed decision."
Using Storage Units
Storage units can be useful, but Hancock said most of the time, you're just moving the problem. If you ever need something out of the unit, "the effort to rustle around and try to find it is so daunting. Most people prefer to go out and buy whatever it is than look for it."
There are times when storage units are beneficial though especially for storing seasonal items like skis, canoes or camping equipment that takes up too much room especially when someone doesn't have a basement or an attic, she said.
If you want to go that route, there is a new type of storage company that will deliver a numbered bin to your home and return it to the storage unit. Those companies include Make Space and City Stash.
Hancock acknowledged that part of the job of being a professional organizer is just listening to people. "We listen to the stories and people want to talk about the items, it's a process of letting it go. It might be something painful like a divorce or death. It's freeing to be able to let go of it. We coach by asking questions that help the clients decide what goes and what stays."
How to Get Started: 3 Tips
1. If you want to get started yourself, try to "rule of 12." In one day, find 12 things to return to their home, 12 things to donate, and 12 things to throw away. However, it's much easier (and sometimes more pleasant) to do this with the help of a professional organizer or a friend who can be objective about your belongings.
2. If you feel like you need a pro, check out the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals to find someone near you (you can search by ZIP code).
3. Make sure you budget enough for your professional organizer (about $65 to $95 per hour), a possible junk mover and any new shelving or organizing furnishings you might add.
