Maybe you have tried to get organized on your own, and you haven't gotten the results you'd like. Or maybe you hate organizing and want someone else to do it for you. Sounds like you could use the services of a professional organizer. But how do you choose the one who's right for you?
What do you want done?
Just like in other professions, each professional organizer has one or more specialty areas. Some specialize in parents with school-age children, some specialize in clients with ADD/ADHD, some specialize in home offices, or paperwork...the list goes on. Take a minute to think about whether you have just one project you want done, or several. Do you want a specialist or a generalist? Someone who specializes deeply in one area, or someone who likes to organize all over the house?
Check out your options.
You may have a local professional organizers association where you live - it can provide you with a list of local organizers and their specialties. In Tucson, where I live and work, that is the Tucson Professional Organizers, or T-Pro. The T-Pro website allows you to search by specialty, see photos and bios for each member, and connect directly to each organizer's individual website. If you live elsewhere in the U.S., try the National Association of Professional Organizers, or NAPO.
Read reviews.
Once you have made a short list of a few professional organizers, check out their references. Read reviews on their Yelp page, or on their Facebook page. Do they have an Instagram feed? My point is, having a professional organizer in your home is very personal. Price and knowledge are important - and so is personality and approach. Please, take the time to do your research and find someone who will work best for you.
Get details.
Find out what an organizer charges for her services, and how. How do you book an organizing session, and how far out is she booked up? Is she available during the time of day or days of the week you need? Can you get a copy of her contract ahead of time so you can read it over? Does she have a business license? How about business insurance? Think about what information is important to you, and make sure you have it!
You're going to have a better experience if you choose a professional organizer you know, like, and trust.
Someone who can organize in the way that you need in your own, real home and for your own, real life.