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frequently asked questions

According to the National Association of Productivity and Professional Organizers (NAPO), “Professional Organizers use tested principles to enhance the lives of clients. By designing custom organizing systems and teaching organizing skills, they help individuals and businesses take control of their surroundings, their time, their paper piles, their lives!”

Save money, time and energy.

Don’t waste your time hunting for items around the house, or your money buying things you know you have but can’t find.  Use proven organization strategies to free up more of your time and energy.  Get back to the more important things in life.

Create a stress-free environment.

Removing clutter and restoring order to a space creates a simpler, more spacious, and calming environment.  This is often the start to a more relaxed and organized mind.

Renew your social life.

The embarrassment of your home doesn’t need to catch you off guard when it comes to surprise visitors.  Take control and take pride.

Clutter and disorganization have been proven to increase stress and decrease productivity.  While family and friends can try to help, they may not be familiar with the wide range of organizational techniques available, or they may be critical of you and your situation.  A professional organizer is objective, non-judgmental, and compassionate.  She will be able to help you make difficult decisions and keep you focused.  She will use approaches and techniques both old and new to help you in areas where your past attempts at organizing have failed.

Books can provide motivation, but a professional organizer will offer a plan tailored to your specific needs.  She can guide you on your organizing adventure with energy, encouragement and tips to keep you going.  She can keep you on track and accountable while make the process fun. And she’ll empower you to maintain your newly organized life by teaching you the principles and techniques you need.

Yes!  You are the decision-maker for the things you own.  Your input along the way will also help us arrive at the most effective solutions to meet your needs—it’s a partnership.  Because everyone thinks and works differently, it’s important for us to understand you as an individual—what your goals are, how your mind works, and so on.  We’ll help to identify useful strengths and tools that may come naturally to you.

The more focused you are on the organization project during our sessions, the more progress we will make.  This may be more of a challenge for you if you need to care for your children.  Children are welcome to be involved in sorting and discussing ideas about their possessions, but when it comes time for implementation, we suggest that children not be present.

You may look around your home and feel too embarrassed to share it with an outsider, but you don’t have to feel that way.  We provide non-judgmental guidance, support, and encouragement during the process.  We don’t see a mess when we walk into your home—we see organization ideas and potential.

There’s no need to pick up before the session.  Being able to see things as they are, and your everyday habits and patterns, helps us better understand your needs and develop solutions that will work for you.

We also recommend against purchasing containers or other organizing products until we see what you will keep and where it will go.  Anything needed ahead of time will be discussed in advance.

That depends on many factors, including what you’re trying to address, how quickly decisions are made, your energy level and attention span, your budget and schedule.  Some clients use a single session to jump start their efforts and are off and running on their own, while others need or prefer multiple sessions, sometimes spread out over time, to complete the project.  Once we’ve me for an initial session, it will be easier to provide a more specific answer to this question.

That depends on how long it takes and the rates charged.  Rates are based on service and are discounted when purchased in packages. You can find our current rates here.  The purchase of storage supplies can also affect the cost.

Never.  We are there to help you make decisions and offer ideas and suggestions. We will never throw out anything without your consent or shame you into getting rid of possessions.  We understand the emotions tied to belongings and respect your right to be selective, hesitant, or sad about parting with them.

We are happy to help you find new homes for items you no longer need, use, or love.  We’ll help you find the best way to recycle, donate, consign, or dispose of any unwanted clutter.  And we’ll even drop it off for you if you choose, so that it’s out of your way right away.

No.  We will make organizational product suggestions and will even shop for you if you desire.  However we also offer creative solutions for using your space and the organizational products you already own.

Yes, you will receive a follow-up email after each organizing session.  This email will include a basic plan of action, a list of follow-up tasks, and product or resource recommendations (if needed).  After your space is organized, maintenance or follow-up visits can be arranged.  Learning the skills to sustain your newly organized spaces requires time, and often assistance from a professional organizer.  We can schedule follow-up visits at any time to make sure you’re on track with your organizing goals.

We serve the South Sound area, including Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater, Centralia, Yelm and more.  Travel up to 30 minutes from our Olympia, WA location is included in rates.  Travel time beyond this is billed at the hourly rate.  Virtual organizing services through video chat are also available to any area.

Cancellations made with one week’s notice are appreciated and will not be billed.

Sessions booked for the same week are considered firm and Polished Spaces may not be able to make changes or reschedule.

Cancellations made with less than one week’s notice will be billed a cancellation fee of $50.

Cancellations made with less than 24 hours’ notice will be billed at 50% of the scheduled time.

Contact us today for a free 30 minute consultation to discuss your organizing needs in depth.