First Home Organizing Session: What to Expect

Your Organizer Should Already Know About Your Project

By the time your first session arrives, your organizer should already understand what you hired them to help with.

During the consultation or booking process, they should have asked questions about the space, what's currently not working, what you'd like to accomplish, and anything else they need to know before getting started. They may have also asked for photos or other information about the space.

This gives the organizer or organizing team the information they need to plan for the session before they arrive.

Your Professional Organizer Will Arrive and Get Set Up

Your professional organizer should arrive around your scheduled start time ready to work. Depending on the project, they may arrive a little early to unload supplies, organizing products, or anything else they'll be using that day.

You may have one professional organizer working in your home or a team of organizers. This depends on the company, the size of the project, and what you booked.

Once everyone is inside and set up, they'll typically take a look at the space with you, confirm what they're working on, and get started.

They'll Bring the Supplies They Need

Professional organizers typically bring a supply bag with the basic tools and supplies they use while organizing. Depending on the company and project, this may include:

• Paper towels and wipes
• Scissors
• Tape
• Resealable bags
• Rubber bands
• Labels and markers
• Trash or contractor bags
• Other basic organizing supplies

These supplies are used throughout the project as needed. For example, when organizing a kitchen, bathroom, or closet, the organizer may wipe down empty drawers or shelves before putting everything back.

If the project involves organizing products such as bins, baskets, drawer organizers, or containers, those may already have been discussed or purchased before your session. How organizing products are handled will depend on the company.

Home Organizing Is Typically a Done-for-You Service

For many home organizing companies, the actual organizing is mostly done for you.

Once the organizer understands what you want help with, your preferences, and how you use the space, they can typically handle the sorting, categorizing, organizing, and setting up of the space.

You may be home during the session, but that doesn't necessarily mean you'll need to work alongside the organizer the entire time. Some clients leave while the organizers work, while others stay home and go about their day. This depends on the company and the project.

Sometimes the organizer may need to ask you a question, find out where you'd prefer something to go, or get your opinion on part of the space. But in many cases, the organizer or organizing team can handle most of the work on their own.

They'll Have a Plan for Your Space

Before the session, the organizer should already understand what you're having organized and what you'd like to accomplish.

Once they get started, they may take items out of drawers, cabinets, shelves, or other areas and begin sorting and categorizing everything. They can consolidate similar items and figure out where things make the most sense based on the space and how you use it.

From there, they'll start putting everything back in an organized way.

How the space is organized will depend on what you have, the storage available, your preferences, and how you actually use the space. Organizing products or labels may also be added if they're part of the project.

They'll Be Working Throughout the Session

Home organizing sessions can vary in length, but it's common for an organizer or organizing team to be in your home for several hours at a time.

During the session, they'll work through the space and try to get as much done as possible within the time you've booked.

You may see them taking things out, sorting and categorizing belongings, moving items between areas, folding clothes, wiping down empty drawers or shelves, setting up organizing products, labeling, and putting everything back where it belongs.

If multiple organizers are working on the project, they may divide up the work and handle different parts of the space at the same time.

Your Home and Belongings Should Be Treated With Respect

Professional organizers work inside people's homes every day, and you should expect them to be professional and respectful of your home and belongings.

Depending on the space, they may be handling clothing, paperwork, personal items, keepsakes, or other belongings while they organize.

They should handle your belongings carefully, respect your home, and ask for your input rather than making decisions about personal items on your behalf.