Burnsville, Minnesota – March 26 – The start of spring and the promise
of warmer weather to come kindles enthusiasm in many people to create more
organized living and work spaces But when it comes time to actually do the
work, we realize organization takes more patience than some of us have and a
professional organizer might be helpful. Better Business Bureau of Minnesota
and North Dakota ® (BBB) offers tips to home and business owners before hiring
someone to come into their space to sort through valuables and confidential
paperwork.
The following tips were compiled
by Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota in consultation with
the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO)-Minnesota Chapter:
·
Ask the organizer if they
are a member of NAPO MN and about their credentials, experience and training.
·
Find out if the organizer
is insured.
·
Ask the organizer to
explain their process so you can gain a clear understanding of what they do and
how they go about doing it.
·
Ask how you can best
prepare for a professional organizer to come to your home or workplace. Find
out specifically what the organizer needs from you (you may need to commit
personal time to get your home prepared for the organization process).
·
Ask about the fee
structure – is it by the job or by the hour? Be clear about your budget
and do not sign any contracts until you fully understand what is or isn’t
included in the service.
·
Ask for clarification on
what their services include, for example, purchasing of supplies for the
organization process.
·
Think about what kind of
person you want to work with (example: will you work best in a drill sergeant
environment or with someone who treats you like a friend?). Ask the potential
organizer about their style.
·
Ask for an estimate on
how long the projects you have in mind will take to complete. Inquire about
what might change/modify the timeline.
·
Find out how the
organizer disposes of items removed from your home or office and if there are
additional fees (are the items recycled, donated, shredded?). Make sure you
feel comfortable with the plan – especially if items are personal or
confidential in nature.
