How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Professional Organizer?
Your complete guide
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by clutter in your home, you may have thought “should I just hire an organizer?” And your next question was probably: "How much does that cost?"
Don't worry, I've got you covered. As a professional organizer who's worked with 100+ clients, I understand that budget is a major consideration. That's why I've created a comprehensive budget guide to help you understand what you can expect to pay, and I'm always happy to tailor a specific plan that fits within your budget.
Let's break down everything you need to know about how I price my services so you can make an informed decision that works for you.
My values and how I price
Transparency and fairness are important to me. That’s why I have always posted my prices on my website. That way, prices are clear from the beginning, and you know you are being charged the same as everyone else.
I have 2 major pricing models. For 1-on-1 organizing sessions, you pay a flat rate per session, which covers hands-on time working together, as well as a donation drop-off and electronic waste drop-off. I also include a written organizing plan with my introductory session.
I also offer full-service organization, which is for large and complex projects that require a team. These projects are billed at an hourly rate for labor, and clients are responsible for covering product costs.
What affects your cost
Many of my clients want to know, what is the total price I am going to pay to get my project done? This is not always a simple question to answer — because professional organizing is a highly personalized service, several different factors come into play:
The level of clutter in your home
The number and size of the spaces you want organize
The amount of customization and complexity you desire in organizing systems
How quickly you make decisions
If you need/want organizing products
You can check out my budget guide to get an idea of the average cost of common organizing projects. If you want a more personalized estimate, I would love you to schedule a phone consultation with me.
Ways to Save Money
I always want my clients to get as much value out of their budget as possible. Here are some practical tips to help you save money:
Share your budget and goals with me upfront. I can design a much better organizing plan for you if I know your budget from the beginning. And no, I’m not trying to upsell you. Let’s say your goal is to organize your entire home, but your budget is $500. If I know that from the start, I can design a plan that prioritizes the most critical tasks for us to complete together, and gives you guidance for doing the rest on your own.
Get started as soon as possible. Addressing clutter sooner rather than later will save you money in the long run. Why? Because as more clutter accumulates, it takes longer (and requires more money) to address. And you may need a more expensive discarding solutions, like a junk hauler, to get rid of items that have become damaged or are so dated they can no longer be sold or donated.
Consider a team approach. If you are open to working with a team instead of a single organizer, we can often help you accomplish more in the same amount of time, which translates to cost savings.
Consider virtual accountability sessions for planning and maintenance. You can get great advice and accountability for less money.
Remember, I'm always happy to work within your budget constraints. We can adjust the scope, timeline, or service level to create a plan that gives you the results you want at a price you're comfortable with.
Questions to Ask During Your Consultation
If you’re getting cost estimates from professional organizers, I recommend asking a few questions of yourself and the organizer to better understand your project costs. Ask yourself:
What do I want to prioritize when it comes to organizing?
What is my budget?
Do I want to complete my project in a single spurt, or do I want to work on it gradually over time?
Will I need assistance with dropping off donations, electronic waste, medications, or other items that can’t simply be thrown away?
Do I need an organizer who can patiently help me make decisions, or do I need an organizer who will complete my project as quickly as possible?
How much will I realistically accomplish on my own? Do I need help with accountability?
Ask the organizer:
What is your pricing structure?
Do you provide an estimate?
How regularly do clients spend more than your initial estimate?
What services are included in your hourly rate? Do you charge extra for any services I need?
How do you charge for supplies/products?
Can you work within my budget?
Is It Worth the Investment?
I understand that organization is a significant investment in yourself and your home. I strive to give every client exceptional value. These are some of things clients have told me they’ve gotten from working together:
Accomplishing a project in hours that would’ve taken them months on their own, or simply wouldn’t have gotten done
Learning strategies that keep them organized for life
Finally understanding why their spouse or kids organize differently, and experiencing less family tension as a result
The relief of treasured family belongings arrive safely during a move
Building confidence in their decisions about how to manage their home and their belongings
Feeling good when they walk into their closet in the morning
Enabling their young children to get themselves ready in the morning
Seeing their kids spend more time playing with toys and less time on screens
Teaching their kids the value of taking care of their belongings and stay organized
Knowing that their kids won’t have to worry about the burden of dealing with decades of belongings after they pass away
Remember, this is an investment in your quality of life. A well-organized space can improve your productivity, reduce stress, and even boost your mood. When you factor in the time you'll save not looking for lost items and the peace of mind that comes with an organized home, the cost starts to make a lot more sense.
Ready to learn more? I'd love to chat about your specific situation and show you how we can create an organized space that works within your budget.
