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1.
What is NAPO?
2. Why should I hire a
NAPO professional organizer rather then a non NAPO organizer?
3. What should I ask the
organizer before I hire them?
4. Does the organizer do
the work or tell me how to do it?
5. What is a professional
organizer?
6. What are the benefits
of hiring a professional organizer and how do I know
it's the right
time to hire one?
7. What skills should the
Professional Organizer have?
8. Are there contracts
involved?
9. Do you have specials?
10. Do you have insurance?
11. How does it work when
you come over?
12. What types of people
need a professional organizer?
13. What are your credentials?
14. How much is this going
to cost me?
15. How long is it going
to take me to get organized?
16. I have always been
disorganized. Is there really hope for me?
17. When do you have hours
available for organizing?
18. How do I make an appointment?
19. I am a private person
and concerned about my privacy.
20. What types of payment
do you require and do you accept credit cards?
21. Do I have to pay in
advance?
22. Do you charge for
travel?
23. What are your cancellation
policies?
24. Will an organizer
make me throw away my stuff?
25. What is the National
Association of Professional Organizers' (NAPO) Code
of Ethics?
NAPO is the National
Association of Professional Organizers and is dedicated
to the field of organizing. Formed in 1985 as a not-for-profit
professional association, NAPO is dedicated to sharing
information about the growing organizing industry, its
trends, and its concerns. NAPO works to set and define
quality standards for the organizing profession. NAPO's
members include organizing consultants, speakers, trainers,
authors, and manufacturers of organizing products. It
surprises some people that such an association exists,
but professional organization is a serious business
requiring ongoing educational and professional development.
Many people make their livelihoods by improving the
organization of others as professional organizers.
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Professional organizing, like many professions, benefits
the consumer through education and organization. NAPO
members sign a code of ethics and are likely to be the best of the best. Much of what
we know individually in the increasingly sophisticated
area of professional organization comes to us through
the benefits of membership in NAPO. As the “organizing
authority,” NAPO members have access to a larger
list of resources and to other professionals and their
ideas.
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You and the professional organizer you will work with,
in a sense, are a team. The organizer cannot perform
effective services for you unless they know what is
important in your home or office and how that home or
office functions. It's in your best interest to find
someone you can share that with. Ask for references
and check them. We believe in education and recommend
you work with someone committed to their profession.
Determine what the investment will be up front. Think
about how their professional knowledge and the organization
they instill into your life will benefit you and save
you time and money in the long run. Approach your search
for a professional organizer as you would any other
service professional. Think through the services you
are looking for and assess your search for the person
with professional affiliations you feel most comfortable
working with. Ask questions and be comfortable not only
with the answers but how they answer. Will this be the
right fit? Base your final decision on a professional
organizer who has the expertise, skill set and personality
which best suits you to help you achieve your goals.
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Your professional organizer will need some direction
from you about what is important and what isn't, and
they will have to have some idea of how your life runs.
Share that. Based on what is involved, the meetings
will require your involvement. And although there are
some standard techniques in the industry that can be
employed, Solutions by Scott offers a customized approach
with each individual. That can only happen with input
from you, the client. We will work with you to develop
some guidelines on not only what you hope to accomplish
but how we will work together. You will contribute to
creating the process based on your needs. Solutions
by Scott generally works side-by-side, and we do our
own installations, assemble furniture, and are directly
involved in most of the physicality of the process.
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A professional organizer is someone who is trained and
experienced in helping you reduce the clutter, “noise,”
and complications from your home and/or business life.
Disorganization is usually just delayed decisions. An
effective professional organizer helps you make those
sometimes difficult decisions with an eye to helping
you adopt that positive behavior.
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There are several concrete benefits to hiring a professional
organizer.
1. Many people are almost paralyzed
by their environment and want to simplify their lives.
Gaining control of the “things” in their
lives, and learning to manage their time and their
belongings, allows them to operate more efficiently,
effectively, and confidently.
2. In many households, and even to some degree companies,
some of the traditional roles have changed. Change
with it, but know how, and be prepared.
3. America is getting faster. Telecommunications such
as e-mail, faxes, telephone technology, and other
“improvements” affect our lives and our
environment in ways many of us haven’t grasped
yet. What appears to be easier may not always be easy
to manage. Allow us to help you get ready for it.
The second part of that question is easy: If you're
thinking about the need of a professional organizer,
it's probably time to hire one. We live in a complicated
time where an unusual amount of "things"
come flying at us from all directions. And most of
it we didn't ask for. Additional responsibilities,
mail, schedules, work, children's activities, bills,
and throw in a hobby or an interest and life easily
becomes overwhelming. Don't let the bureaucracy of
your life get in the way of living your life.
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Because of the personal and business nature of much
of what has to be organized, it is not realistic to
expect that the organizer can work completely autonomously.
Therefore, a relationship with this type of consultant
is important. The professionals at Solutions by Scott
have a strong educational background, and we approach
our counsel with that training every day. We are familiar
with adult learning styles, we respect confidentiality,
and we have plenty of patience.
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That may vary from organizer to organizer. Professional
organization is a business where money changes hands
in exchange for services. It's always prudent to have
a full, and often written, understanding of what is
going to be delivered. Solutions
by Scott provides a letter of agreement for clients.
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Professional organizing is one of the fastest-growing
professions in the country, and it could not have come
at a better time. Despite that, some people are still
unsure how much they may need a professional organizer
and what to expect for what they pay. From experience,
our initial consultation and general appointments are
approximately four hours. We do offer various seasonal
specials, and these will be published in our newsletter
"Organize. Simplify. Thrive" or on our web
site on the Specials
page. Please ask us how to earn free service when
referring a friend or colleague to Solutions by Scott.
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Yes, Solutions by Scott has full insurance coverage
and can provide documentation upon request.
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First, we will send you a list of questions that we
will ask you to review and complete. These are based
on years of experience and help us to understand a more
complete picture of your individual situation. We know
that no two homes or offices are alike, but this gives
us some idea of how we can best help you and work efficiently
when we arrive. On day one, we'll tour your home or
office; assess your cabinets, drawers, closets and other
spaces; ask questions; measure; and together we get
started that day. Should
your project require items to be installed, Solutions
by Scott is skilled to do the demolition and installation
for most of our projects.
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According
to the National Association of Professional Organizers,
the top five client groups are:
1. Individuals at home
2. Home office based businesses
3. Small business owners
4. Individuals at their jobs
5. Executives
And, clients cut pretty evenly across most demographics
because people are creatures of (often bad) habit. Each
day, professionals, businesspeople, homemakers, students,
parents, CEOs, and secretaries work with professional
organizers. If you've ever delayed throwing out junk
mail, sorting through your closet, been late for a meeting
or your child's soccer practice because you misplaced
something, consider calling us.
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I am a member of the following professional affiliations
and possess the following formal education:
• Immediate Past President of NAPO Washington, DC-Metro Chapter (served as President from 2006-2008).
• Awarded 2008 Professional Organizer of the Year by NAPO-WDC.
• Certified Professional Organizer®
(CPO®) Inaugural Class 2007
• Director of Technology, Board
of Certification for Professional Organizers (BCPO).
• Chronic Disorganization Specialist Certificate,
National
Study Group on Chronic Disorganization (NSGCD)
- devoted to exploring methods, techniques, approaches and solutions that benefit the chronically disorganized.
• Member of the National
Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO).
• Master’s Degree, Education, University
of Missouri - Kansas City.
• Bachelors of Music, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
• Member, Top Shelf Advisory Panel, Closets
Magazine.
• Member, Potomac Executive Network (PEN).
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Solutions by Scott's fees are based on an hourly rate.
Although professional organizing costs money, it's an
investment in your future. There is a big difference
between an investment and an expense, and getting part
of your life back is an investment. Fees customarily
include travel to and from your business or office.
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The timelines for each organizing project vary from
person to person. The timeline is usually based on what
has to get accomplished and the level of commitment
you put forth. Well do our best to move the process
along as quickly as possible.
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Absolutely! Some of our most challenging cases have
said the same thing. We will develop a plan you can
live that will be realistic to maintain. Again, we will
do everything we can to instill a learned behavior from
which you, as a client, can benefit.
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Solutions by Scott offers hours seven days a week in
the morning and early evening during weekdays with other
times on the weekends. Since weekend appointments are
the most popular, we require prepayment of services
which is non-refundable. We will do our best to accommodate
your schedule unless we have existing client appointments.
It is recommended you schedule you appointments at least
two weeks in advance.
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Simply call us at 202-249-8330 or
contact us online.
We can discuss your needs, answer any more specific
questions that you have and decide the best way to proceed.
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As a member of the National Association of Professional
Organizers (NAPO), Solutions by Scott adheres
strictly to its Code
of Ethics. We treat every situation discreetly and
confidentially, and we respect your boundaries. A copy
of the Code of Ethics is included at the bottom of the
FAQs.
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Yes we do! Currently we accept check and cash on the
day of your appointment. Weekend appointments must be
pre paid. To pay by credit card, you'll receive an email
invoice prior to your appointment. Payment is due at
that time. If we need to cancel your appointment, funds
will be refunded. We accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover,
American Express, and bank debit cards.
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We may require prepayment for credit card transactions
and to secure weekend appointments. A 50% deposit may
be required for first time clients, and payment of services
by cash or check is due at the completion of each session.
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Travel to and from your home or office in the greater
Washington, DC area is not charged. For areas beyond
that we charge a flat fee plus mileage. If we are involved
with the disposal or donation of items, we charge a
flat fee.
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Cancellation is required 48 hours before the appointment
without incurring a charge. Otherwise, a fee for the
full session may be charged. We are offering a professional
service to you, and both of our times are valuable.
We base this policy on our need for mutual respect and
the fact that this profession involves external appointments
that require some planning.
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Not necessarily, but they may help you come to some realizations
about what is and what is not important. We will help
you find and create a home for your most important belongings,
and perhaps more importantly, can determine what may
be placed out of the way for the time being and until
you need or want it. Overall, we save our clients money,
save time, and most say their lives are more fulfilling.
Some of the more extreme "organization" shows
can be a little radical. In reality, you are the client
and these are your possessions. We just want to help
you organize and cut through what doesn't need to be
directly in front of you every day. And if you are interested,
professional organizers know places where your goods
can be donated or consigned to help other people.
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This Code of Ethics is a set
of principles to provide guidelines in our professional
conduct with our clients, colleagues and community.
As a member of the National Association of Professional
Organizers, I pledge to exercise judgment, self-restraint
and conscience in my conduct in order to establish and
maintain public confidence in the integrity of NAPO
members and to preserve and encourage fair and equitable
practices among all who are engaged in the profession
of organizing.
Clients
Working Relationships
• I will serve my clients
with integrity, competence, and objectivity, and will
treat them with respect and courtesy.
• I will offer services in those areas in which
I am qualified and will accurately represent those
qualifications in both verbal and written communications.
• When unable or unqualified to fulfill requests
for services, I will make every effort to recommend
the services of other qualified organizers and/or
other qualified professionals.
• I will advertise my services in an honest
manner and will represent the organizing profession
accurately.
Confidentiality
• I will keep confidential
all client information, both business and personal,
including that which may be revealed by other organizers.
• I will use proprietary client information
only with the client's permission.
• I will keep client information confidential
and not use it to benefit myself or my firm, or reveal
this information to others.
Fees
• I will decide independently
and communicate to my client in advance my fees and
expenses, and will charge fees and expenses which
I deem reasonable, legitimate, and commensurate with
my experience, the services I deliver, and the responsibility
I accept.
• I will make recommendations for products and
services with my client's best interests in mind.
Colleagues
• I will seek and maintain
an equitable, honorable and cooperative association
with other NAPO members and will treat them with respect
and courtesy.
• I will respect the intellectual property rights
(materials, titles, and thematic creations) of my
colleagues, and other firms and individuals, and will
not use proprietary information or methodologies without
permission.
• I will act and speak on a high professional
level so as to not bring discredit to the organizing
profession.
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