FAQs
What is a professional organizer?
I’m so embarrassed to have you see my space – what if it’s the worst you’ve ever seen?
Do you help everyone get organized the same way?
Are you going to make me throw everything away?
Do you provide cleaning services?
Do you organize for me, or do I need to be there the whole time?
Do I need to go out and buy baskets, plastic containers, and organizing materials?
When helping me organize to move, do you pack?
How long will it take to get my place organized?
Does In Its Place have insurance?
Do you offer gift certificates?
What is a professional organizer?
A professional organizer uses sound organizing principles to help create systems and processes that are customized to meet people’s needs and support how they want to live and work.
I’m so embarrassed to have you see my space – what if it’s the worst you’ve ever seen?
This is probably one of the most common concerns that I hear on the phone – and even as I’m walking into a home for the first time. It’s normal to not want anyone to see the parts of our lives and our spaces that are not “perfect.” But nobody’s perfect. Just like everyone else, unique circumstances have helped to shape what’s happening in your life and in your home. While I can’t tell you how to feel, I can tell you that I don’t judge people for the mounds of clothes on the floor or the piles of paper on the counter. My purpose is to help you create a space that looks good, feels comfortable, and is functional so that you can live the life you want to live.
Do you help everyone get organized the same way?
Organizing is not “one size fits all.” Each person, family, and business has its own issues, goals, and priorities, so the tools, materials, and techniques that work for you may not work for your friend or your coworker (or even your spouse). At In Its Place, we strive to make sure that the solution meets the needs of everyone involved.
Are you going to make me throw everything away?
One misconception about professional organizers is that they come in with a dumpster and just start throwing everything out. As a professional organizer, I work with you by asking questions, making recommendations, and teaching you to make decisions that fit with your lifestyle and goals. While purging is part of the organizing process, the decision as to what to keep, donate, throw away, or sell is ultimately yours.
What rooms do you organize?
In Its Place provides home organizing services from attic to basement and every room in between! Using her skills as a professional organizer, Jody Adams works with you as a:
- Kitchen organizer
- Bedroom organizer
- Living room organizer
- Bathroom organizer
- Craft room organizer
- Play room organizer
- Attic organizer
- Garage organizer
- Basement organizer
- Dining room organizer
- Home office organizer
- Closet organizer
Do you provide cleaning services?
Vacuuming and wiping off shelves and other items do happen during an organizing session, especially when setting up systems and rearranging your belongings in a space. However, for deep cleaning and repair work, In Its Place is happy to provide the names of resources and other related professionals who offer the additional services you may need.
Do you organize for me, or do I need to be there the whole time?
Organizing is a process. The end result has to make sense to you and support how you live, work, and use your belongings. Being involved in the process empowers you to become more aware of how you use your space and to be able to maintain the systems that are implemented. While the process itself is interactive, there are sessions when In Its Place can work on tasks and projects even if you need to work in another room, run errands, or be at work. For such times, In Its Place will identify ahead of time the information needed from you so that these projects can be completed without you being present.
Do I need to go out and buy baskets, plastic containers, and organizing materials?
In most cases, it is usually best to wait until after we have started sorting your items before running to the store and buying a collection of containers. Once the process has begun, it is common to discover that you don’t need as many containers as you thought or that you actually have the materials you need already in your home.
What if my family doesn’t understand why I want to pay a professional organizer when they’ve said they’ll help me get organized?
Many clients have shared that help from family members ended with mutual feelings of frustration, anger, resentment, and misunderstandings. Although relatives can play an important role in the organizing process, they also can be too emotionally involved in or attached to you or the situation to offer meaningful, objective assistance. Hiring a professional organizer is no different than hiring any other professional when you need expertise and guidance to resolve a problem. A professional organizer gives you an objective and nonjudgmental perspective, someone with whom you can process your situation, learn new skills, and make progress toward your organizing goals. Consider hiring a professional organizer as an investment in your present and future.
When helping me organize to move, do you pack?
In Its Place will work hands-on with you to sort and categorize your belongings, assist in creating a plan that allows for a smooth transition from your existing space into your new space, obtain materials, and provide resources. However, In Its Place does not typically do the actual packing of your belongings.
How long will it take to get my place organized?
Quite simply, clutter and disorganization happen over time, so reclaiming your space won’t happen overnight. However, regardless of how much you have to organize, In Its Place works as efficiently as possible to help you reach your goals and meet your needs, budget, and timeline. We can create a plan that allows the process to move forward at a comfortable pace for you and that also meets any deadlines you may have.
Does In Its Place have insurance?
Yes, In Its Place is insured.
Do you offer gift certificates?
Yes. Giving the gift of organization can be ideal for the people on your list who “have everything.” In Its Place can create a gift certificate in any amount for you to present to someone you care about. However, choosing to get organized can be a very personal and private decision for some people, and although you think your friend or relative needs to get organized, he or she may not share your enthusiasm at this time. So that neither of you is disappointed, please make sure that your recipient is open to and would use the gift of organization.