Merrie's Organizing Mania! - Binghamton, NY - Frequently Asked Questions

Merrie's Tips:

1. How much do you charge?
2. What happens at the assessment?
3. How long will it take me to get organized?
4. Will you be harsh like they are on some tv shows?
5. How can you possibly know what to do with my stuff when even I don’t?

6. I’m so embarrassed. How can I bring myself to show you my mess?
7. I’m afraid you won’t be able to help me. Does that ever happen?
8. It all feels so overwhelming. Is there any hope?
9. What do I do with all my unwanted items?
10. Can you recommend products for me to purchase?

11. Do you install shelving?
12. What if I need help after I get organized? Are you available for follow up and support?
13. Do you travel?
14. Do you have assistants?
15. Do you clean as you go?

1. How much do you charge?

There is no cookie cutter charge for organizing. Each situation is assessed for a fee of $85.00 per hour after which I quote a price for the job. I can provide a quote for the whole house, or per room/problem. Most assessments require 1-1 ½ hours.

As you can imagine, everyone’s clutter is very different. Sometimes, through an initial phone conversation, a person will have me thinking I won’t even be able to get in the door due to the huge amounts of messy clutter. The client himself is quite convinced that once I see his situation, I will surely run screaming down the street! Upon arriving at the house, it is clear that my phone impression is way off. Yes, opportunities to do some organizing certainly exist, but the situation is not as mind boggling as I had come to believe. The reverse is also true. People will describe to me how they need “a little help” with some organizing so I think just some fine tuning is needed. Upon arriving at the scene, it is clear that some underestimating has been done by the client. It’s all in the perception…..

I do not state an hourly rate because most people firmly believe that their situation will take ten times longer than it really will. If I gave an hourly rate, some folks would give up right there, thinking they could never afford to get organized. As my client Lynne Yost said “One ‘Merrie’ hour equals about 10 or more mere mortal hours.” Thanks Lynne!!

2. What happens at the assessment? The assessment is pure gold. It allows me to:

Present myself to you, to see if you feel we can work together.
Ascertain how you arrived at your situation.
Discover what your dreams are-how you want things to look and operate.
Establish a plan.
Learn about you – your learning style, your personality, what motivates and demotivates you, how fast you make decisions, exactly how ready you are to get organized.
Go from the top of the house to the bottom, as needed, and formulate a customized plan. This plan may be carried out by me alone, you alone, or us together. 99% of the time we work together.
Troubleshoot scenarios that might lead you back into disorganization.
Figure out how to enlist the cooperation of your family, if applicable.
Gain insight regarding you and your family that you may have never realized in terms of how you may be working against each other relating to organization.
Work up a quote for the job.
Directively guide, support and encourage you should you decide to get organized on your own. Once I’ve seen your situation, I can help you very well over the phone, and I provide support calls and visits if you wish.
Enable you to work through your situation as a whole, and begin to see it through different eyes. You can see a light at the end of the tunnel, and you can pick up on my excitement and vision for your project.
Recommend other support people to you as I see the need - housecleaner, filer, handyman, carpenter, etc.

Are you ready to schedule an assessment?! Let’s get you started on this process called organizing!!

3. How long will it take me to get organized?

It depends on what needs to be done and at what speed you need it to happen. Be prepared to be stunned and amazed at the speed and efficiency I can lead you to achieve!

4. Will you be harsh like they are on some tv shows?

Absolutely not. Professionally yet compassionately I will help you decide what items deserve to take up your living space and help you find a good home for those that don’t. We’ll establish sensible places for everything in your home, and set up simple, practical and customized systems to keep things in order.

5. How can you possibly know what to do with my stuff when even I don’t?

This question can be especially true for those with paper issues. The answer is simple. I am highly trained, profoundly experienced and this is what I do!

6. I’m so embarrassed. How can I bring myself to show you my mess?

It’s completely normal to feel that way, and most people realize in minutes that I don’t judge – I am here to help. For me, this is just another day at the office and I love what I do.

7. I’m afraid you won’t be able to help me. Does that ever happen?

No. If you are ready to get organized, I can help. If you are not ready to get organized, I can help move you in the direction of being so.

8. It all feels so overwhelming. Is there any hope?

You’ll be amazed at how energizing this process is and how quickly your hope is restored.

9. What do I do with all my unwanted items?

I’ll gladly cart off your discards and leave you with a tax receipt. Some things go for donation, some to e-bay sellers, and some to the dump.

10. Can you recommend products for me to purchase?

Yes. Most people don’t end up needing to spend much money on products. Once we sort & purge, the items that deserve to live in your space usually fit just fine with what you already have.

11. Do you install shelving?

Not personally. I refer this aspect of organizing to professionals skilled in this area. These people are not employed by me, but they are accountable to me, and I a familiar with their work and integrity.

12. What if I need help after I get organized? Are you available for follow up and support?

Yes! Part of my service is follow-up calls & appointments. I don’t judge for backsliding, as it can be part of the natural process on the way to getting organized. I do, however, trouble shoot setback possibilities with you to try and avoid backsliding.

13. Do you travel?

Yes, and I charge travel time for anything over 15 minutes from my hometown.

14. Do you have assistants?

Yes. Depending on the situation and the need, I have people who help me with many aspects of a project. Moving heavy furniture, transporting large amounts of discards, working side by side with me in whatever capacity needed.

15. Do you clean as you go?

I do a cursory clean of all areas organized. If we contract for a heavier cleaning, I am glad to do it.