Hiring a professional organizer can be tough and especially if it’s your first time. However, if you find the right professional organizing company to hire, the results could be to your benefit. Common questions to ask the professional organizing company before hiring them include:

1. Is the professional organizing company insured and licensed?

Always ensure you hire a professional organizing company that is insured. Insurance is extremely important since you are hiring a service to come to your home and organize your physical belongings. Ask the professional organizing company if they are licensed in the state in which you reside. Anybody can call themselves a ‘professional organizer’ so you want to make sure you are hiring a licensed company instead of an individual off the street.

2. Is the professional organizing company part of an association?

Professional associations not only add credentials to a company, but they add great resources and training to all individuals and companies who are members. The official organizing association is called the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO). Another association in the organizing industry is the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization (NSGCD).

3. Can you provide references?

Always ask for references when searching for the right professional organizing firm. Ask to talk to past and current clients. If the professional organizing firm won’t pass along client information, take that as a hint. If the professional organizing company is confident in their services, they will let you talk to anybody and everybody (assuming the client agrees to disclose their contact information).

4. How does the professional organizing company ensure confidentiality?

When you hire a professional organizer, you are hiring a 3rd party who will be looking at personal identifiable information (PII) such as; bank account numbers, tax information, and social security numbers. Ensure your organizer abides by the NAPO Code of Ethics which states that all project information is confidential.

5. Why should I trust your company?

When searching for a professional organizing company, it is important to hire somebody you trust. Ask the organizer(s) tons of questions. Ask them why should they hire your company instead of ABC Company. Never move forward until you feel comfortable with the individual and/or company.

7. What areas does the professional organizing company serve?

Some professional organizers only serve limited areas within a larger city. Ask your organizer(s) how far they are willing to drive before additional fees are added to your project.

6. Ask to read the policies and fine print.

Have you ever hired a company to find out they forgot to mention the ‘fine print’ after you signed the contract? Ask your organizing company to explain their policies in detail. Ask about commonly added charges such as distance to and from the organizers home or office, time spent researching & shopping, fees for phone consultations, fees for disposal of cast-offs, etc. The bottom line is: know what you are getting into before signing any paperwork.