Should I Choose an Organizer with Credentials or Without?

The world of professional organizing is still fairly new to most people. Shows like "Hoarding: Buried Alive" are the source of confusion with what this industry is actually all about. It isn't only hoarding for why organizers exist. I'd like to say that I have had an impact on the view my industry has here in Polk County and around Central Florida. Organizers are popping up all over the world, and we all have our own personal niches. You know, what we are great at! Even more than that, it's who we are serving and why. 

If you are reading this because you are searching for help from a Professional Organizer, you may need to determine what you are actually looking for help with, what your budget is, and whether or not you truly need professional help. When I embarked on this career in 2013, I was entry-level in terms of experience in the field. Sure - I was an organized person, but could I help others become organized? Could I successfully market this as a business? What specifically did I want to organize? Was there the market for this business locally? So many questions and not enough answers. Many trials and bumps in the road and no process was quick! Four years later, I now have the experience, capability, and credentials to really help my clients - at a much greater level than I could when I first started. Read on to consider whether or not you would like to hire someone not only experienced, but credentialed for your organizing project OR someone just starting out...

• What kind of organizing project do you have in front of you? For instance, do you need to declutter and make "homes" for items in your home? Do you need to learn how to be organized, and create a system with a professional that you can successfully use and not have to hire help over and over again? If you can contribute to your organizational plan, and just need a second set of hands, it may be a viable option in getting the help you need from a beginner that may or may not have a niche market. 
• Are you downsizing and moving? Would you benefit from having a professional space planning, packing, and unpacking service? An organizer that specializes in downsizing and moving people is an especially better option for seniors than someone who organizes smaller non-move projects. These projects are the farthest from simple, and for the whole family's sake, deserve a licensed and trained professional.
• What is your budget? Let's face it, as you grow in abilities, education, and experience, your salary grows - at least we all hope for that! Some organizers I've met in-person and virtually started right at the lowest expected rate for an organizer - $50 per hour. I started much lower than this. Not because I didn't think $50 or more was a fair rate for an organizer, but because at the level I was at, I didn't find the higher rate appropriate. Since then, my rates have become a little less simple than a set rate for all that I do, but my packages reflect my abilities, my team's contributions, the actual project at hand and its level of complexity, and whether or not packing or moving is involved. Your budget, although last on this list, is very important in deciding what kind of professional you will hire. Ultimately, as the saying goes, you get what you pay for... at the very least, interview multiple options and price points, and see who's services are right for you.​ 

Happy Organizing!

Nicole Ramer
Professional Organizer and Certified Senior Move Manager®
Member of the National Association of Professional Organizers
Member of the National Association of Senior Move Managers®
Member of Better Living for Seniors Polk