What is a Professional Organizer?
A professional organizer helps individuals or businesses find organizing solutions to meet their needs. We provide support, encouragement and hands-on assistance for all of your home, office, and lifestyle needs. We will take an objective look at your organizing challenges and provide information, products, and services to perform efficient space planning, implement organizational systems as well as use our aesthetic knowledge to create a functional and beautiful space. We also help with interior design, home staging, time management systems, event planning/coordination, relocation logistics.
Why hire a Professional Organizer?
Everyone can benefit from a professional organizer at some point in their lives. Maybe you have never learned how to organize or life experiences/events have caused your systems to collapse. Whatever the reason, we can help.
What is NAPO and why is it important?
Organized At Last upholds and adheres to the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) code of ethics. As a member of NAPO, Organized at Last pledges to exercise judgment, self-restraint, and conscience in our conduct in order to establish and maintain public confidence in the integrity of NAPO members and to preserve and encourage fair and equitable practices among all who are engaged in the profession of organizing. It is important to find a Professional Organizer who is a member of NAPO to ensure you receive the highest level of professional service.
What is the organizational process?
The first step is to schedule a consultation. We will work with you to create a vision for how your space can best serve you and help define your priorities in reaching that goal. At the end of the consultation, we will schedule our first organizing appointment.
How long will it take to get organized?
We usually work in 3-4 hour sessions. The number of sessions will depend on many things, such as the size of the job, type of space, the amount of things in the space, client’s level of participation and how quickly decisions are made.
Do I have to participate in the organization process?
This is entirely up to you. Organizing isn’t for everyone and for some clients, it’s a very stressful process. If you choose not to participate, we will do everything that we can on our own but generally, towards the end of a project, we will have created a few piles of things that we will need to sort through together. Other clients choose to participate in some things or they just work on smaller things we would like them to do between visits – “homework assignments”. The process often works best if you are a willing participant.
Can you provide a written price estimate?
A project proposal can be provided after the initial consultation. We do our very best to get as close as possible to the time and cost needed, however, there are always surprises and we cannot predict the speed at which a client will make decisions. The estimate should be used as a guideline.
Will I need to buy organizing products?
Many times we are able to take advantage of your existing storage solutions to create a better system. We understand that not everyone has the budget to install new systems in their homes. An initial consultation is the best way for us to see what and how things need to change. Many people have difficulties organizing because they purchase organizational items before they sort and purge. Understanding your needs before making purchases will save you time and money. Once we decide what your needs are, we can guide you on the necessary purchases while keeping your budget in mind.
Do you take on larger scale projects such as hoarding?
Yes. Many people with a hoarding anxiety disorder need to take baby steps with organization. These projects require special sensitivity toward the person as well as any family members involved. Often times, the hoarding has impacted their relationships and our goal is to not only make the living situation healthy and safe, but also to help make this a positive experience where relationships can be rebuilt with compassion and lives can be restored with simple and sustainable solutions.
Do you only take on projects that are in Bellingham?
While a lot of our clients are Bellingham based, we do provide our services throughout the surrounding area. Please contact us for more information about our travel pricing.
Do you follow-up with clients after a job?
You will be hearing from us periodically upon completion of your organizing project to ensure things are continuing to go well. We strive to exceed our clients’ expectations, however, if something is not working for you, just let us know and we will make the necessary adjustments.
What if I need to cancel an appointment?
Please let me know about a cancellation as soon as possible (at least 48 hours in advance).
Have a question not answered here?
Shoot us an email at lauren@organizedatlast.biz and we’ll get it answered.