Your Better Business Bureau offers tips of what to look for when hiring a professional organizing service.
A certified professional organizer (CPO) is someone who organizes cluttered living and/or work environments and has received certification in the field. Professional organizers use their experience and knowledge combined with tested principles to create spaces and organizational systems that promote efficiency and give clients more time to enjoy their lives. They also act as coaches to their clients, offering tips and instructing them in proper organization methods.
Janet Jackson, Organization Solutions, LLC, says, “Not all organizers organize a closet or a single room in a house. There’s organizers who work with the elderly and downsizing, and then there are those who work with children and special needs organizing. Some focus on residential organizing while others specialize in corporate and business organizing.”
Your Better Business Bureau offers tips for finding a trustworthy organizing service:
• Shop around and compare. Get several bids detailing the work to be done, cost and payment terms.
• Get recommendations from friends and family. If they’re pleased with who they’ve used, most likely you’ll be too.
• Ask for references. A reputable company will be happy to provide you with a list of previous customers. Don’t be afraid to contact them or even ask to look at the work completed.
• Find out if the company is a member of any associations like the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO). NAPO is a great resource for educating organizers and helping clients find the right organizer.
• Find an organizer who is willing to listen, be creative, encouraging, patient and nonjudgmental.
• Ask who you’ll work directly with? Will they assign an employee and/or subcontractor?
• Consider reputation, years of service and services provided, as well as cost.
• Be sure the professional organizer is appropriately insured.
Jackson says, “There are some people who know what they need to do. They just need an experienced coach to help them focus, make decisions and reach the goal, much like a personal trainer does for a fitness program.”
If you have any questions regarding professional organizers, you can always get help from your BBB, such as lists of BBB Accredited Businesses and business reviews on ones you’re considering. For more information, visit www.bbb.org or call (937) 222-5825 or (800) 776-5301.
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