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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Professional Organizer?
How does a P.O. work?
Why should I spend the money on a P.O. when I could probably do it myself?
How should I prepare for my initial consultation?
Do you have a standard system of organizing that I have to use?
Will I have to buy expensive products?
Who does the research and shopping for storage products?
How involved will I be in the process?
Will I have to throw all my beloved belongings away?
How long will it take?
How do you charge for your services?
What is your cancellation policy?
How are confidentiality and privacy handled?
What are the benefits of becoming organized?
Who can benefit from your services?
Do you check up on my progress?
How can I stop getting in a mess again?
Do you have a reward program for referrals?
Do you offer Gift Certificates?

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...the Answers

How does a P.O. work?
Positively sorted! offers confidential, non-judgmental consulting and hands-on assistance to help clients and their businesses get better oganized. We will work together as a team, but you are in control of the process.

Why should I spend the money on a P.O when I could probably do the work myself?
This is a very good question. In an ideal world we would all be organized all the time and be on top of everything without having to think about it too much. The truth of the matter is that most people find it really hard to get organized without help. Sometimes we are so blinkered we can't see the wood from the trees. We get overwelmed and don't know where to start. A P.O. can clarify the situation, design personalized solutions, enable the process to go quickly and smoothly, save precious time and money and empower you to reach your goals. The good news is that once you have been taught the tools needed and have more insight into how you function, it will be much easier in the future, and you may well be able to manage with just an occasional P.O. session or even none at all. My primary aim is to help people get and stay organized and their success brings me accomplishment (and referrals!).

How should I prepare for my initial consultation?
Basically, you don't need to do very much at all. It is crucial to see the space in all its glory to properly assess your habits and find the best possible workable solution for you. Please resist the urge to tidy up! The most valuable preparation is to think about what your ideal vision for your space (or your week, if we are going to discuss time management) would be. You don't need to have any kind of plan in mind, just some thoughts about what is not working and how you would like to improve it. Some uninterrupted time for us to discuss your needs would be ideal.

Do you have a standard system that I have to use?
No! Different people and different businesses need different solutions. I will do an in-depth assessment when starting work so I can determine with you, what system and approach would suit you best.

Will I have to buy expensive products?
Positively sorted! is not bound to any retailer and will not encourage you to spend beyond your budget. I will recommend a range of specific products or recommend a type of storage if you prefer to research the hundreds of storage solutions yourself. I have a large arsenal of stockists, stores, catalogs and online markets to point you in the right direction. The number and type of recommendations obviously depends on the client's situation - whatever your budget, I will find a creative solution that fits it.

Who does the research and shopping for storage products?
This depends on the personal preference of the client. The quickest and most efficient way to do it is to have Positively sorted! research and present you with options within your budget for you to choose from and then order your chosen product(s) for you. You may choose to research and order recommended products yourself to keep costs down. Most clients choose to have Positively sorted! take care of it in the interests of speed and expertise.

How involved will I be in the process?
Clients are always actively involved in the decision-making process. Nothing is ever discarded or donated without the client’s express approval. Given the personal nature of a lot of the items, your presence will be needed for the purging stage and, of course, during the initial assessment. For the storage stage, you may choose to be present or not, for all or some of the time, depending on your schedule. I realise that a lot of clients appreciate being able to have progress made on their organization when they are out at work.

Will I have to throw all my beloved belongings away?
No! One of the first steps in getting organized is deciding what to keep and what is cluttering up your home, your space and your life. Truly beloved objects, whether it be a ming vase or a special postcard improve your quality of life and enrich your daily experience. It is crucial to give these special things space they deserve. They should be displayed properly so that you can appreciate them. The problem comes when you feel that you have 3000 of them and are overwhelmed. I will help you simplify your own collection by deciding which ones really deserve your time and space. I will help you cherish your newly liberated space and help you resist the urge to clutter it up again.

How long will it take?
How long is a piece of string? The duration of the organization project will entirely depend on the client's situation and goals. We can agree to work in sessions lasting several hours or several shorter sessions. Either way, the work will be conducted in a timely fashion. It is ultimately the client's decision as to how much time and energy they want to devote on any given day to their project. It is always better where possible to dedicate a longer block of time, without any outside interruptions as this is the most efficient use of time in the long run. Whatever your choices, and whatever your schedule, making the decision to improve is the most important thing. Once you start, you will see improvements before you know it.

How do you charge for your services?
Fees are based upon a competetive hourly rate. Please click here for details of pricing. Payment is due every 10 hours of service, or on completion of project. A 20% deposit is required at time of booking.

What is your cancellation policy?
At least 24 hours' notice of cancellation of a scheduled appointment is required. Failure to keep any scheduled appointment without prior notification or failure to cancel an appointment 24 hours prior will result in a cancellation fee equivalent to two hours consulting time.

How are confidentiality and privacy handled?
Working with sensitive data and personal information is very much part of the job and therefore confidentality and discretion are core values. All information supplied will remain utterly confidential and client details will not be disclosed to a third party without consent of the client. Any discarded sensitive data will be shredded. Complete confidentiality is assured and I will happily sign a confidentiality agreement upon request.

What are the benefits of becoming organized?
Assuming responsibility for one's environment, making better decisions about space,resources and time; and relieving the stress and confusion that result from disorganization are just some of the benefits that Positively sorted! clients receive. Additional benefits can include the ability to minimize stress, establish priorities, improve time management, improve performance and profits, reduce clutter and maximize space, enhance your workspace, create more leisure time and even make some money.

Who can benefit from your service?
Virtually anyone who wants to improve their organization, whether it is space or time management related. I specialize in helping seniors organize their belongings and offer an itemization of bequests and other related services. Positively sorted!'s services are very flexible, so please don't hesitiate to contact me to discuss your specific needs.

Do you checkup on my progress?
Yes. I will contact you periodically after the project is over to check the systems are working for you and to give you some encouragement. This is a free service I offer to all my clients. I am sure you will be delighted with the results and will have new-found drive and confidence in your own ability to get and stay organized.

How can I stop getting in a mess again?
Organizing is a skill I can teach you. Once you have managed to get yourself organized you will feel burdens lifted and you will feel more self confident. These benefits will most likely be far-reaching and will carry their own momentum. I will give you tools to help you stay focussed on your goals long after we have finished our first project together. You will quite simply find it easier to make good choices; choices you know will benefit you now and in the long run. It really is not that difficult once you have decided and committed to staying more balanced, healthier and more streamlined.

Do you have a reward program for referrals?
Yes. I really appreciate my referring clients, so for every client you recommend me to I will give you a voucher for one free hour of consulting! This voucher does not expire and there is no limit to how many vouchers you can claim. Thank you for recommending my service!

Do you offer Gift certificates?
Yes. Gift certificates in hourly rate increments are available. Please contact me for details.