When to DIY Home Organizing and When to Hire a Professional

Clutter can quickly take over any home, making it hard to find what you need and creating unnecessary stress. When it comes to hiring a professional organizer, I hear people say that they can do it themselves, so why would they hire someone? Or I've heard, "there's no way I'd pay that amount when I can pay _______ (the nanny, the cleaner, a friend) way less to do it." This post will help you understand when it makes sense to DIY home organizing and when hiring a true expert is the better choice.

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When DIY Home Organizing Works Best

Taking on home organizing yourself can be rewarding and cost-effective. Here are some situations where DIY is a good fit:

• When Its a Small or Simple Project

If you want to organize one closet, a few drawers, or a small area, doing it yourself can be manageable. These smaller tasks usually require less time and fewer specialized skills, especially if you don't need to source products. With a small space, it's also unlikely that you'd get overwhelmed and lose motivation to finish,

• When You Have the Time and Motivation

When you know exactly what you want to achieve and feel motivated, DIY can be satisfying. If you know you will have the time to dedicate to seeing the project through to the finish, DIY is an option. Larger spaces can take a whole weekend or longer, depending on how many hours per day you are able to dedicate to it. If you are considering DIY organizing, make sure you have your calendar cleared with enough time to complete the organizing project.

• When You Need to Keep the Cost as Low as Possible

Professional organizers charge for not only our time, but also our expertise. If your budget is tight, DIY lets you save money by using your own time and resources.

• When You Enjoy It

Some people find organizing enjoyable and stress relieving. If you enjoy sorting, labeling, and arranging, doing it yourself can be a fulfilling project.

• When You Want to Learn a New Skill

Tackling an organizing project often requires some research into the best way to organize a space, sourcing the best bins and containers to use for that space, and creating customized systems. If you are interested in diving deeper into the details of home organizing, DIY is a good place to start!

Tips for Successful DIY Organizing

• Break the project into small steps to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

• Start with an area that will give you quick results. This will get you motivated to do more.

• Declutter your space before organizing.

• Don't buy organizing products until you have a plan.

• Measure your space before you buy anything!

• Research organizing methods online for ideas and inspiration.

  
  

When Hiring a Professional Organizer Makes Sense

Professional organizers bring experience, industry knowledge, and an outside perspective. Here are times when hiring one is a smart choice:

• When Its a Large or Complex Project

If your home is very cluttered or you want to organize multiple rooms, a professional can create a plan and manage the process efficiently. Large spaces or multiple areas can be overwhelming so hiring a professional will make the process more smooth.

• Not enough time or energy

Busy schedules or physical limitations can make DIY organizing difficult. Professionals handle the hard work, saving you time and stress. We will handle the time-consuming aspects like measuring and sourcing the best products, returning unused products, labeling, and of course the actual organizing part too! Since we do this for a living, we can get projects done faster than someone who has never done any home organizing.

When you've run out of mental energy during the decluttering process (which does happen!) we can help you realize that and take over or move onto something else. Having a professional organizer in your home with you provides an accountability partner. We will keep checking in on you throughout the project to make sure that it gets completed.

• Emotional attachment to items

When it’s hard to decide what to keep or toss, a professional organizer can provide objective guidance and support. We have no emotional attachment to the objects in your home, so we can help you look at things in a new light and make decisions that will be the best for your future self. As a neutral party, organizers can step in and offer advice if there's a disagreement about what to keep.

• Customized organizing needs

In order for an organizing project to be successful, it needs to work for you and your family's lifestyle. The space must work with your natural tendencies so that it is easy to maintain and reset. Often, people see a photo online of what they want, but in reality, it will not be sustainable for practical life. As a professional, we can create systems that will function the best for you.

• Maximizing space

Professionals can suggest storage solutions and layouts that make the most of your available space, often beyond what you might think of on your own. We have the knowledge of what organizing products are out there and who makes them, so not only can we develop the best plan for your space, we also know where to get the products for it. We have tried lots of products over the years and can steer you away from the ones that are not the best choices and show you what will work best for you.

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How to Choose the Right Professional Organizer

• Look at their website and social media to see if you like their organizing style. If they have no before/after photos to show you, that could be a red flag.

• Check service prices on their website - there is a range of organizers out there, some working in a more luxury capacity and others that are more practical.

• Check reviews on their website or Google and ask around your community for recommendations.

• Ensure they offer a clear plan and timeline.

• Make sure they carry insurance.

• Meet with them before you hire them to be sure they are a good fit. They will be looking at your most personal items in your home, so it should feel comfortable to work with them.

• They should have a contract for you to sign.

  
  

Balancing DIY and Professional Help

Sometimes the best approach combines both methods. I offer a DIY Organizing Plan, in which I will create a system for you, give you instructions on how to organize the space, and give you a list of organizing products to order.

This approach works well if you need to save money on the labor costs, but still feel like you could use some professional help. If you have the time do to the physical work, this is a great option that will ensure great results.

Final Thoughts on Organizing Your Home

Organizing your home improves comfort and efficiency. Choosing between DIY and professional help depends on your project size, time, skills, and budget. When hiring out services, there is a big difference between someone who will just tidy up a bit for you and someone who can create an organizing system that is easy for you to maintain. Do your research before you hire someone to make sure they are a professional and will get you the results that you are looking for.

Home organizing is something you can do yourself, as is painting your home, cleaning, lawn care, snow removal, handyman jobs, pool maintenance, pest control, gutter cleaning, and more. Hiring a pro for jobs like this saves you time and effort and ensures you get the best result possible from professionals in the business.

Start by assessing your needs and resources honestly. If you decide to DIY, plan carefully and take it step by step. If you hire a professional, communicate your goals clearly and choose someone you trust. Either way, a well-organized home is within reach and worth the effort.