I was immediately surprised to learn that she not only helps people organize their homes but also coaches them on productivity as well. April explained, “An organizer can specialize in organizing items in your home and an organizer can also be a productivity consultant as well.” This can include assistance with calendars, email inboxes, and bills. Her overall goal is to set clients up for success by creating new routines and helping them maintain things on daily basis.
Clients vary from young children with cluttered playrooms to seniors looking to downsize
Organizers work with quite a wide variety of clients. She has worked with high schoolers, young children whose parents need help downsizing playrooms, adults who have inherited belongings, and elderly people who are downsizing their homes. She laughed, “You know how children are with strangers versus their parents.” As a mother, I am very familiar with the fact that children are more open to hearing about new ideas from people besides their parents. She also discussed how much she enjoys working with couples who love each other but are opposites when it comes to how they keep their home.
Client involvement is the key to success
Working side-by-side with an organizer will result in making the most progress. “The learning that is going to be taking place is going to happen when you’re physically doing the work. The neurons in your brain are going to make that connection when you’re sorting items out and making the decision about which ones to keep and which ones to let go.” (Arrangements are made whenever a client is not physically able to do the work alongside their organizer.) Clients who have an open mind and are willing to try things in a different way are the most likely to have long-term success. In the end, it’s about changing behavior. This can mean following a maintenance system that you set up with your organizer and being mindful of how many items you bring into your home.
It is common for clients to feel embarrassed about the state of their home and will do best with an understanding person to help them. April likes to point out the parts of their home that are working well and reminds them that everyone has different strengths and weaknesses. “It can become an intimate relationship,” says April. Sorting sentimental belongings and changing habits can bring on significant feelings. Because of this, it is important to choose an organizer that you feel comfortable with and can trust to handle those big emotions. You also want an organizer that has received specific training and education related to organizing and productivity. Here is a Hiring Guide to provide more information on what to ask and what to look for in an organizer.
Pricing varies depending on the project and client involvement
The going rate for organizers in the Pierce County area tends to be between $60 and $100 per hour. April works in 3-hour sessions and explained that how much work the client is willing to do between sessions can have a big impact on how many sessions will be needed. She gave an example of a 2 bedroom house with a single occupant that needed assistance with organizing and arranging things throughout the home. She estimates that it will take 2 sessions for her to complete the house. Organizing services are not intended to be recurring and the overall goal is to teach the client so that they can feel comfortable maintaining things on their own.
If you are interested in learning more about April’s organizing service, visit her website or give her a call at (253) 376-6771.
