Leave it to the Pros

First, it’s important to establish your goals. Do you want to de-clutter your entire home top to bottom, or are you just interested in seeing the top of your dining room table again? Create a list of organizing fantasies so when you meet with organizers, you can specifically state what you want to accomplish. Also, decide how involved you want to be in the process. Many organizers offer a “make it happen” solution and will do the organizing for you, while others will work with you side-by-side, making decisions and creating systems together.

Find an organizer who works well for you! You might start by visiting naponc.org for organizers in the Chapel Hill (and surrounding) area. It’s important to work with someone you enjoy spending time with and trust to see all of your dirty laundry (literally and figuratively). You’ll also want someone who can customize solutions to meet your needs -- there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution.

Consider your budget. Organizers in our area charge between $50 and $100 per hour. Many offer a free consultation to see your space and discuss your goals. Decide ahead of time if you have the budget to purchase new organizing tools or if you’re OK using items you already have. Getting organized shouldn’t break the bank! A good organizer should be able to find creative ways to organize your space without spending a fortune.

Recognize that getting organized takes time. Your clutter most likely didn’t appear overnight, and it won’t go away overnight, either. However, having an extra set of expert eyes and hands on the job can help you do the job right (and completely!), stay motivated and on task and think through your organizing process so you can get -- and stay -- organized.

Keep neat in 2013!

Perri Kersh is the neatest, and sometimes freakiest at Neat Freak Professional Organizing, LLC in Chapel Hill. She works with individuals, families, small business owners and students to help them get and stay organized. When she’s not organizing for others, she frequently shovels up after her husband and children. You can read more about Neat Freak at www.neat-freak.com or reach Perri at (919) 824-8196.