Nancy Organizes! Helping You Organize Your Island Life 
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the organizer come to me?
YES! All sessions take place within your home or office. We begin the process with a 15 minute complimentary phone consultation to assess your needs and goals. Then we follow up with a complimentary in-person consultation. At the end of the in-person consultation, you will be provided with a written estimate for services which indicates the projected amount of time for the project, as well as the fee.
What happens during the session?
Nancy Organizes! professional organizing services differ depending on the client. Some clients just don’t know where to start and they want a “partner-in-crime” to help facilitate the process. Other clients don’t even want to deal with the organizational job at all… “Calgon, take me away!” they cry, and Nancy Organizes! does all the work for them. So there are actually three different categories of organizational services:
The time necessary totally depends upon the job at hand. A small home-office organization project may take as little as 3 hours, whereas a full-scale home-office makeover, complete with a revamped (or newly-created) filing system and a desk and office supplies overhaul may take four or more sessions (each session generally lasts three to four hours). Of course, you will be provided with and will approve a written estimate prior to work inception.
What if I need supplies...will you get them for me?
We can purchase supplies for clients and they will be billed for the costs of the supplies, plus our hourly rate for the amount of time it takes to procure the items.
However, we have found that it is often preferable to make recommendations as to needed supplies, but to have the client purchase the supplies on their own. The reason for this is that clients know their own tastes and preferences best, and if we end up getting a certain item that the client does not care for, we will need to bill them additional time for the return/exchange of the item.
We have also found that often the client has items around the house that can be used and sometimes we can save the client money by having them re-purpose things that are already in their home (i.e. using an old tupperware container that is missing a top can be used to store small office supplies, like paperclips).
What if I feel embarrassed about my mess?
Many clients feel nervous about showing their organization challenges to an organizer. Please rest assured…there is nothing to be embarrassed about. Organizers do not see an organizational project as something to hide but rather as a welcome challenge and an opportunity to help make their client’s life easier. In addition, strict confidentiality is maintained for all clients.
We also abide by the National Association of Professional Organizers Code of Ethics:
This Code of Ethics is a set of principles to provide guidelines in our professional conduct with our clients, colleagues, and community. As a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers, I pledge to exercise judgment, self-restraint, and conscience in my 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.
Clients
Working Relationships
• I will serve my clients with integrity, competence, and objectivity, and will treat them with respect and courtesy.
• I will offer services in those areas in which I am qualified and will accurately represent those qualifications in both verbal and written communications.
• When unable or unqualified to fulfill requests for services, I will make every effort to recommend the services of other qualified organizers and/or other qualified professionals.
• I will advertise my services in an honest manner and will represent the organizing profession accurately.
Confidentiality
• I will keep confidential all client information, both business and personal, including that which may be revealed by other organizers.
• I will use proprietary client information only with the client's permission.
• I will keep client information confidential and not use it to benefit myself or my firm, or reveal this information to others.
Fees
• I will decide independently and communicate to my client in advance my fees and expenses, and will charge fees and expenses which I deem reasonable, legitimate, and commensurate with my experience, the services I deliver, and the responsibility I accept.
• I will make recommendations for products and services with my client's best interests in mind.
Colleagues
• I will seek and maintain an equitable, honorable, and cooperative association with other NAPO members and will treat them with respect and courtesy.
• I will respect the intellectual property rights (materials, titles, and thematic creations) of my colleagues, and other firms and individuals, and will not use proprietary information or methodologies without permission.
• I will act and speak on a high professional level so as not to bring discredit to the organizing profession.
Can my kids be home while we organize?
While we love children, we have found that it can be difficult to organize when small children are present. The parent's first and foremost obligation is to their children; as such, it can be difficult for them to concentrate on the organizational task at hand. Because clients pay by the hour, they may want to arrange for a sitter to get the most “bang for their buck” during the organizing project.
Older children, however, may want to be present if we are working in their personal space, such as their bedroom.
My whole house needs organizing. Where do we start?
You will find that certain projects “call out” to you saying “me first, me first” and you will have a sense of which projects are on the top of your priority list. For some, this may be the home office, because they realize that being organized in that area means it’s easier to pay bills, process mail and e-mail, and keep up with paper filing systems. For others, for example those who love to cook, the kitchen may call out as the priority area. Your organizer will talk with you to help you determine which area to address first.
How are the services billed?
Services are billed by each individual session. Therefore, at each session (generally 3 hours minimum), you will be provided with an invoice. Payment in full is due at the end of each session.
Can I pay in installments?
Services are paid in full upon completion. However, because each session is billed individually, it ends up working like a partial payment plan because you do not have to come up with all the money at once. That way, if you know you only have a limited amount of money available for your professional organization project each month, you can schedule according to your budget (i.e. only doing a few sessions a month, as opposed to multiple sessions in the same week).
How long do the sessions last?
While most sessions are a minimum of 3 hours, we generally don’t work with clients for more than 4 hours at a time. Sessions tend to get less productive after the four hour mark as clients can tire from the work already completed. That being said, incredible progress can be made in these 3-4 hour time spans and clients will often visually see and “emotionally feel” a HUGE difference in the space at the end of the sessions.
Can I give the gift of organizing to my spouse or child?
This is a tricky issue. One rule that we always follow is to never get between spouses, family members, or roommates. If you feel that your loved one needs a little organizational help, please discuss the possibility of using a professional organizer with that person prior to contacting an organizer. We have found that organizing a person who does not WANT to be organized causes problems amongst family members. In addition, the person generally does not “stay” organized because they did not want to make a shift towards organization in the first place.
Why should I get organized?
• You’ll have more time to spend with your family and loved ones
• You’ll gain a sense of control
• You’ll have less stress in your life because your “house is in order”
• You’ll have help developing a system to maintain the “new order” in your life
• You’ll be able to find things easily and will have a “home” for everything in your home
• You’ll model for your children the value of organization and personal responsibility (their future roommates and spouses will thank you for it!)
• You’ll reduce physical and mental clutter
• You’ll find your home or office has truly become “a castle” and you will no longer dread going home or to work
• You’ll literally breathe easier in your “new” space
If you have other questions that haven't been answered here, or you'd like to set up an organizing session, please contact us directly at nancy@nancyorganizes.com or 808-347-7480.
YES! All sessions take place within your home or office. We begin the process with a 15 minute complimentary phone consultation to assess your needs and goals. Then we follow up with a complimentary in-person consultation. At the end of the in-person consultation, you will be provided with a written estimate for services which indicates the projected amount of time for the project, as well as the fee.
What happens during the session?
Nancy Organizes! professional organizing services differ depending on the client. Some clients just don’t know where to start and they want a “partner-in-crime” to help facilitate the process. Other clients don’t even want to deal with the organizational job at all… “Calgon, take me away!” they cry, and Nancy Organizes! does all the work for them. So there are actually three different categories of organizational services:
- "Full-time": The client and the organizer work hand-in-hand throughout the entire job. This type of organizing is the most cost-effective because there are two people dedicated to the job as opposed to one.
- "Part-time": The client and the organizer work together part of the time and the organizer works alone part of the time. Sometimes a client really needs the help but just does not have the time in their schedule to devote to the job. Or perhaps they find the job too overwhelming and would like to take part in the process but do not feel up to participating for the full session. Estimates for part-time jobs have wide ranges because the client’s participation level may wax and wane depending on their schedule and their engagement level.
- "Individual Work": This is when the client says: “have at it!” The organizer works alone to complete the job after the client’s goals are communicated. This kind of work requires that the organizer have a clear sense of direction from the client and that the client is available in person or by phone to answer questions and provide clarification throughout the job.
The time necessary totally depends upon the job at hand. A small home-office organization project may take as little as 3 hours, whereas a full-scale home-office makeover, complete with a revamped (or newly-created) filing system and a desk and office supplies overhaul may take four or more sessions (each session generally lasts three to four hours). Of course, you will be provided with and will approve a written estimate prior to work inception.
What if I need supplies...will you get them for me?
We can purchase supplies for clients and they will be billed for the costs of the supplies, plus our hourly rate for the amount of time it takes to procure the items.
However, we have found that it is often preferable to make recommendations as to needed supplies, but to have the client purchase the supplies on their own. The reason for this is that clients know their own tastes and preferences best, and if we end up getting a certain item that the client does not care for, we will need to bill them additional time for the return/exchange of the item.
We have also found that often the client has items around the house that can be used and sometimes we can save the client money by having them re-purpose things that are already in their home (i.e. using an old tupperware container that is missing a top can be used to store small office supplies, like paperclips).
What if I feel embarrassed about my mess?
Many clients feel nervous about showing their organization challenges to an organizer. Please rest assured…there is nothing to be embarrassed about. Organizers do not see an organizational project as something to hide but rather as a welcome challenge and an opportunity to help make their client’s life easier. In addition, strict confidentiality is maintained for all clients.
We also abide by the National Association of Professional Organizers Code of Ethics:
This Code of Ethics is a set of principles to provide guidelines in our professional conduct with our clients, colleagues, and community. As a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers, I pledge to exercise judgment, self-restraint, and conscience in my 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.
Clients
Working Relationships
• I will serve my clients with integrity, competence, and objectivity, and will treat them with respect and courtesy.
• I will offer services in those areas in which I am qualified and will accurately represent those qualifications in both verbal and written communications.
• When unable or unqualified to fulfill requests for services, I will make every effort to recommend the services of other qualified organizers and/or other qualified professionals.
• I will advertise my services in an honest manner and will represent the organizing profession accurately.
Confidentiality
• I will keep confidential all client information, both business and personal, including that which may be revealed by other organizers.
• I will use proprietary client information only with the client's permission.
• I will keep client information confidential and not use it to benefit myself or my firm, or reveal this information to others.
Fees
• I will decide independently and communicate to my client in advance my fees and expenses, and will charge fees and expenses which I deem reasonable, legitimate, and commensurate with my experience, the services I deliver, and the responsibility I accept.
• I will make recommendations for products and services with my client's best interests in mind.
Colleagues
• I will seek and maintain an equitable, honorable, and cooperative association with other NAPO members and will treat them with respect and courtesy.
• I will respect the intellectual property rights (materials, titles, and thematic creations) of my colleagues, and other firms and individuals, and will not use proprietary information or methodologies without permission.
• I will act and speak on a high professional level so as not to bring discredit to the organizing profession.
Can my kids be home while we organize?
While we love children, we have found that it can be difficult to organize when small children are present. The parent's first and foremost obligation is to their children; as such, it can be difficult for them to concentrate on the organizational task at hand. Because clients pay by the hour, they may want to arrange for a sitter to get the most “bang for their buck” during the organizing project.
Older children, however, may want to be present if we are working in their personal space, such as their bedroom.
My whole house needs organizing. Where do we start?
You will find that certain projects “call out” to you saying “me first, me first” and you will have a sense of which projects are on the top of your priority list. For some, this may be the home office, because they realize that being organized in that area means it’s easier to pay bills, process mail and e-mail, and keep up with paper filing systems. For others, for example those who love to cook, the kitchen may call out as the priority area. Your organizer will talk with you to help you determine which area to address first.
How are the services billed?
Services are billed by each individual session. Therefore, at each session (generally 3 hours minimum), you will be provided with an invoice. Payment in full is due at the end of each session.
Can I pay in installments?
Services are paid in full upon completion. However, because each session is billed individually, it ends up working like a partial payment plan because you do not have to come up with all the money at once. That way, if you know you only have a limited amount of money available for your professional organization project each month, you can schedule according to your budget (i.e. only doing a few sessions a month, as opposed to multiple sessions in the same week).
How long do the sessions last?
While most sessions are a minimum of 3 hours, we generally don’t work with clients for more than 4 hours at a time. Sessions tend to get less productive after the four hour mark as clients can tire from the work already completed. That being said, incredible progress can be made in these 3-4 hour time spans and clients will often visually see and “emotionally feel” a HUGE difference in the space at the end of the sessions.
Can I give the gift of organizing to my spouse or child?
This is a tricky issue. One rule that we always follow is to never get between spouses, family members, or roommates. If you feel that your loved one needs a little organizational help, please discuss the possibility of using a professional organizer with that person prior to contacting an organizer. We have found that organizing a person who does not WANT to be organized causes problems amongst family members. In addition, the person generally does not “stay” organized because they did not want to make a shift towards organization in the first place.
Why should I get organized?
• You’ll have more time to spend with your family and loved ones
• You’ll gain a sense of control
• You’ll have less stress in your life because your “house is in order”
• You’ll have help developing a system to maintain the “new order” in your life
• You’ll be able to find things easily and will have a “home” for everything in your home
• You’ll model for your children the value of organization and personal responsibility (their future roommates and spouses will thank you for it!)
• You’ll reduce physical and mental clutter
• You’ll find your home or office has truly become “a castle” and you will no longer dread going home or to work
• You’ll literally breathe easier in your “new” space
If you have other questions that haven't been answered here, or you'd like to set up an organizing session, please contact us directly at nancy@nancyorganizes.com or 808-347-7480.
