Professional Organizers?

gkp1031 · #1 (**permalink**) 11-20-2005, 05:11 PM

I'm a very organized person, I love to clean my closet just so I can reorganize it--crazy I know! I have been tossing the idea around about starting an organizing business for some extra income. I'm not in a large city and not too close to one, but I'm sure there would be a need in small towns and at small businesses.

I guess my question is if there was an organizer in your area, that didn't charge outrageous prices, would you hire one? Maybe someone to come in and give suggestions as to how you could streamline your closet or paperwork. Or, someone to come in and actually work with you to get thru the paper clutter.

Would you hire this person? How much would you be willing to pay? Would you want the organizer to do the work for you, with you or just give suggestions and you do the work? Any ideas/feedback is appreciated, I've been thinking about this for a few years and I think it may be the time to "just do it"!

**AnnaInOhio** · #2 (**permalink**) 11-29-2005, 07:16 AM

Gina

My friend used to do this as a side job. She charged $200.00 to reorganize closets. Unfortunately she moved to Florida so I don't know the details.

Anna

gkp1031 · #3 (**permalink**) 11-29-2005, 12:47 PM

Thank you for the info. I'm trying to find out if there are any organizers in my area and what they charge. I'd really like to pursue this as a side business.

Sapphire · #4 (**permalink**) 11-29-2005, 01:27 PM

gkp, I've been interested in doing this also. I did help one friend but didn't charge her. I was like you...unsure of what to charge. A flat fee doesn't sound right since some people needs LOTS more help than others.

I did notice that it would probably be better to just guide someone rather than do it for them. If they don't learn, they won't keep it up. An hourly rate with a set consultation fee would probably work best.

I didn't know there were any more of "us" out there.

I love to organize too & do just what you do with the closets.

**AnnaInOhio** · #5 (**permalink**) 11-30-2005, 04:17 AM

Gina

Some things to think about in starting this is:

You will need to be bonded. In our area that costs between $200 to $400.

Get friends to give references.

Once you get these in place, advertise in the newspaper, preferably if you have neighborhood newspapers where you can reach a smaller target area starting out.

Hope these ideas will help.

Anna

gkp1031 · #6 (**permalink**) 12-02-2005, 02:42 AM

Anna~~thanks for the tips. I have some vacation time this month and I hope to do more "research" and see what I need to do and get some thoughts on paper. I bought a book a while ago about starting an organizing business--I guess it would be a good time to start reading it!

gkp1031 · #7 (**permalink**) 12-02-2005, 02:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sapphire

gkp, I've been interested in doing this also. I did help one friend but didn't charge her. I was like you...unsure of what to charge. A flat fee doesn't sound right since some people needs LOTS more help than others.

I did notice that it would probably be better to just guide someone rather than do it for them. If they don't learn, they won't keep it up. An hourly rate with a set consultation fee would probably work best.

I didn't know there were any more of "us" out there.

I love to organize too & do just what you do with the closets.

I agree--I don't think a flat fee would work in most situations. I helped a friend a year ago organize a filing cabinet--which was a disaster when we started. But, by the time we finished, she could find everything very easily.

I would love to be more of a guide to help people find the best system for them. I don't want to go in and "tell" them they have to do it my way--because I know my way doesn't work for everyone. There's a system out there that can work for everyone!

I'm going to reorganize my closet again one day while I'm on vacation!! Glad to have found someone else like me!!