Sometimes you just need to hire a professional

Suppose you have no talent at all for creating order out of chaos - much less for envisioning and implementing systems customized to your home and your way of life. It's time to call in a pro. Choose the type of professional services you need, then pick up the phone and get the show on the road.

The Pros Know What To Do

Ask neighbors and friends for recommendations. Inquire about the nature of the work they had done, how long it took, if the professional organizer provided hands-on assistance and which methods were used. Also ask if they continued to be organized after the professional left.
Contact the National Association of Professional Organizers for information on the field as well as referrals. NAPO members are bound by a code of ethics that includes serving customers with competency, integrity and strict confidentiality.
Ask the same questions you would ask any consultant: What is your background and training? How long have you been in the business? What is your particular area of expertise? Are you member of a professional association? Can I call your references?
Find out how much the organizer charges. Fees vary widely based on geographic location, experience and the type of services provided. Most residential organizers charge an hourly fee that my range from $25 to more than $200; some work on a fixed-fee basis; and some use a combination of hourly and fixed fees. For large projects, professional organizers may contract their services for a defined period of time on a retainer basis.
Clarify who will do what. Depending on the nature and the scope of the work, organizers adapt their services to the needs of the customer. He or she may set up the new systems and let you do the work, plow through the job with you, or take care of it alone.

Residential	Workplace	Events
Purge, declutter and organize all rooms, attic, basement and garage. Design a well-organized kitchen and bathroom. Organize closets. Organize collections, memorabilia and photographs. Organize garage sales. Organize a home office. Devise effective filing systems.	Devise effective filing systems. Improve paper and work flow. Define and implement information and records management (for legal, medical and other offices). Implement time-management and goal-setting strategies. Organize finances for bookkeeping.	Prepare for the sale of a house. Organize the packing and unpacking for a move. Supervise an estate sale. Plan and coordinate business and family events. Give seminars, workshops and training on professional organizing strategies. Plan meetings.