While many people know that home organizing services exist, there’s a lot of mystery surrounding the specifics of the process, how sessions work, and what to expect from a professional organizer. So, I’m embarking on a 3-part series to answer ALL the questions, starting with breaking down the BirchTree Organizing Process from initial inquiry to sessions working together. 

I’m not only sharing the “how” of the process but the “why” behind it. I intentionally created a process that would work best for my busy (and often overwhelmed) clients regarding the time, focus and energy they could bring to their projects. So, let’s dive into the details of what I created that has helped my clients simplify their lives. 

Step 1: Complimentary Home Organizing Discovery Call

The first step is a complimentary discovery call where we’ll get to know one another a little! I ask questions about your project, goals and timeline and provide an overview of the BirchTree Process.

Of course, all organizing projects are different, and I tailor every plan to each client’s unique needs. But this overview gives a good idea of how BirchTree Organizing approaches the task of organizing your space.

The discovery call, which typically takes about 15-20 minutes, is also an opportunity for you to ask any questions. At the end of the call, if you want to move forward, we schedule Step 2: an in-person consultation. 

Step 2: In-Person Home Organization Consultation

At step 2, I come to your home to meet you, see the space(s) you want to declutter and organize and discuss your issues and goals in more detail. Then I create a custom Client Action Plan outlining our discussions and summarizing my plan to achieve your goals.

The purpose of the Client Action Plan is to ensure we begin the project with a mutual understanding of the issues, goals, and plan to transform your space. The assessment itself usually takes 45 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on how many spaces we discuss.

There’s no obligation to hire BirchTree Organizing following the assessment. It’s an opportunity for us to meet in person, for me to get a more accurate picture of the scope of the project and, most importantly, for us to determine whether BirchTree Organizing is a good fit for your project. 

“Fit” is vital to the success of decluttering and organizing projects. You’re inviting me into your home to go through your personal belongings, which can get emotional and difficult. So, it’s important you feel comfortable with me and an in-person meeting is the best way to assess this.

There is a fee for the in-person consultation, which is credited towards your first session when your organizing project proceeds. So, if we work together, it’s a free consultation!

Step 3: Schedule and Begin Organizing Sessions

If you decide BirchTree Organizing is a good fit for your organizing project, we make it official with a deposit and book your first session(s)! We continue to book sessions on a timeline convenient for you until the project is complete. 

Generally, I work with clients once a week or once every two weeks. Typically, my clients don’t have multiple days in a row available to devote to decluttering and organizing because they’re busy with all the other life stuff!  Spreading sessions out in this way allows them to fit the projects into their lives around all their other responsibilities.

Additionally, decluttering and organizing requires making a LOT of decisions and can be overwhelming, draining and lead to decision fatigue. Spreading the sessions out helps clients stay excited and energized about the process and make intentional decisions they feel good about. 

Last, but certainly not least, spreading the sessions out also spreads the costs of the process out.  

Length of Home Organizing Sessions

Sessions typically run between four and six hours. Four hours is usually the minimum as this is typically the amount of time required to make real progress in a space and still leave time to tidy it up before ending for the day. Six hours is usually the maximum for the reasons discussed above about decision fatigue and feelings of overwhelm.

After discussing your individual needs, goals, and any restrictions that may be relevant, we’ll determine what session length works best for you. And it’s not set in stone; the duration of sessions can vary depending on what works for you each day.

Your Involvement in the Home Organizing Sessions

How involved you are in the process is up to you! I have clients who work side-by-side with me every step of the way. I have clients who are more involved in some sessions than others. And I have clients who are away when I’m working.

Generally, the project will get completed faster if you’re present and involved in all steps. However, I understand there are a lot of demands on your time and working together every session may be challenging.

If this is the case, we’ll devise a plan to minimize your hands-on involvement while maximizing the benefit to you. 

You must be present at the assessment to discuss your needs and expectations, and you must be available in some form (in person, virtually or via text messaging) to make editing decisions during sessions. I provide strategies and support to help you make these decisions in alignment with the goals we’ve discussed, but the final decision is always yours.

Other than that, I can work independently to complete sorting and initial editing based on a plan and parameters we develop together. After you confirm what items are leaving the space, I can set up your new systems and walk you through them at the end.

Conclusion

And that is how you go from inquiring about BirchTree Organizing’s services to scheduling your home organizing sessions. While this covers the mechanics of the process, in my next post I’ll answer the most frequently asked questions I receive, including costs, more details about how sessions work, and what happens to all your “stuff.” Don’t miss it on July 19^th!

Is this a process you think could work for you? Let me know in the comments below. If you liked this post, please share it!

Happy Organizing!