Smart Q's Deserve Smart A's

Use the following Frequently Asked Questions to find A’s to your Q’s about hiring a professional organizer.

Andrea is a practical, no-nonsense organizer who incorporates both beauty and function into all of her work. With spirit and genuine desire to help her clients she works together with you to create easy and streamlined processes to simplify your life. She will analyze what needs to be done and make a plan to address it.

Q: What is the process?
A:  We typically start with a phone consultation to learn more about your needs.  Are you buying or selling a home?  Are you downsizing, upsizing, moving in or moving out?  What are your challenges or concerns with these activities?  Then, we offer a plan to help you focus and prioritize activities so you can leave behind the overwhelm, see greater results and feel totally confident as you move ahead.  We will work side-by-side with you to complete the plan but you can also choose to work on your own.  Truth be told, the folks who choose to work with Smartly Organized are super serious about getting results.  They want a quick, profitable sale, an easy move, and a comfortable new home on Day One.
Q: Can't I just organize, stage my home, and move myself?
A:  Of course, you can!  But most people are too busy to manage it all at once.  At Smartly Organized our goal is to help make your move go more smoothly and give you the time and space to focus on the things that you really care about.  We can also teach you professional organizing skills that help you solve a particularly challenging issue, and save you time and energy during your move and after.  Our experience will help pinpoint hidden habits that lead to disorganization and increase your ability to maintain a smartly organized home going forward.
Q: Will a professional organizer make me throw everything away?
A:   No, what you keep and what you throw away is ultimately left to you, but my team and I will work hand-in-hand with you to make those critical decisions more quickly and easily than if you had to do it alone.
Q: I'm already pretty organized, what can a professional organizer do for me during my move?

A:   Moving is extremely time-consuming and stressful and even super-organized folks need help sorting and parting with belongings before a move.  Our team of professional organizers work best with highly motivated individuals who recognize the value of a smooth and painless move but may not have the time to orchestrate it themselves.  Additionally, a good organizer can help you fine tune your current processes and help uncover any other areas where you want to gain control.

Q: How are you different from other professional organizers?

A:  We work with highly motivated individuals and families who are looking for real results.  Our ideal clients are those who want to benefit from Andrea’s experience as a Certified Professional Organizer®, NASMM Move Manager and home stager. We partner with only the best realtors and service providers to bring all our clients the easiest and most convenient transition.  We offer customized solutions for folks looking for support before, during, or after their move.  We offer all the resources needed for organizational needs.

Q: Is it worth the investment?
A:  Yes, just ask my clients.  Take a moment and think about the cost of NOT investing in professional help.  Ask yourself, “What is a fast sale worth to me; what are the financial and emotional costs of waiting for buyers to show up?  Do I want to waste valuable time and energy packing and unpacking stuff I don’t even want anymore?  Do I want to live in limbo for months on end before, during, and after my move?”  We’re sure the costs of going it alone far outweigh the investment in professional help.  We offer results.  We get it done and make your life easier.
Q: Do you have professional training or can anyone call themselves a professional organizer?

A:  Andrea became a Certified Professional Organizer (CPO®) in 2015 after meeting extensive work and educational requirements and passing a written exam. There are only 375 CPO®s out of over 4,ooo Professional Organizers worldwide. In addition, she earned her Residential Specialist Certificate (2016) and Workplace Specialist Certificate (2017) by completing the educational requirements in both tracks. Andrea continues to attend meetings and conferences for professional organizers in order to expand her knowledge in new products, services, and programs that can help her clients achieve their goals. She also earned NASMM Move Manager designation, a Foundation Certificate in Chronic Disorganization from the Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD) and is working on her Level II Certificate. Andrea holds an undergraduate degree in Business Administration and a Masters in Finance.

Q: What is Home Staging?
A:  At Smartly Organized we organize for your upcoming move and stage at the same time. Staging is not the same as decorating. Just because a home is beautifully decorated doesn’t mean it won’t require a little staging to get sold. Staging is the process of de-cluttering, de-personalizing, and neutralizing a home. In today’s market, most buyers are two generations behind many empty nesters and decorating styles and tastes just don’t match up. An experienced home stager from Smartly Organized knows exactly what to do and can make the process of preparing your home for sale easy and painless.
Q: I'm worried about privacy and what you will think of my mess.

A:  We’ve seen it all.  All our services are non-judgemental and completely confidential. We abide by the NAPO Code of Ethics which can be found here:https://www.napo.net/page/bcpocodeofethics

Q: What is a Professional Organizer?
A: The National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals (NAPO) explains that, “A professional organizer enhances the lives of clients by designing systems and processes using organizing principles and through transferring organizing skills. A professional organizer also educates the public on organizing solutions and the resulting benefits.” Members of this organization abide by a Code of Ethics.

In other words, we help make sense of your stuff – physical and mental clutter.  We offer solutions to streamline your daily life so you can focus on what’s really important in your life.

Q: What is a Certified Professional Organizer?
A: The Board of Certification for Professional Organizers (BCPO® ) states that “BCPO® certification is a voluntary, industry-led effort that benefits the members of the organizing profession, as well as the public. It is a recognition of professionals who have met specific minimum standards, and proven through examination and client interaction that they possess the body of knowledge and experience required for certification. This program recognizes and raises industry standards, practices and ethics. For the public, while the CPO® designation is not an endorsement or recommendation, certification of professional organizers maximizes the value received from the products and services provided by a CPO®.”  Andrea received her certification in 2015. There are only 15 CPOs in New Jersey.
Q: What is NAPO?
A: The National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals is a non-profit professional association whose mission is to develop, lead, and promote professional organizers and the organizing industry.  Founded in 1985, it is the largest national association of and for organizers with nearly 4,000 members throughout the world.

Andrea is actively involved in both the local chapter and the national association.   As a member of the Northern New Jersey Chapter (www.naponnj.org) she is currently serving her seventh term as Immediate Past President on the Board of Directors. In the past she held the following positions:  Director of Marketing (2011-2014), Director at Large (2014-2015), and Chapter President (2015-2017).

Q: What is ICD?
A:  The Institute for Challenging Disorganization is a non-profit association dedicated to helping people affected by Chronic Disorganization.  As a member of the ICD Andrea benefits from educational opportunities, information, and organizing techniques and solutions offered through conferences and training opportunities.  Andrea completed the Foundation Certificate in Chronic Disorganization and is working on the Level II Certificate.  Read more at www.challengingdisorganization.org
Q: Are you a licensed mover?

A:  Excellent question!  No, I am not a licensed mover. I am a Certified Professional Organizer®️ that specializes in getting my clients organized for their move.  We help you declutter and downsize possessions so you don’t pack and move stuff you don’t actually use or want.  I do not pack, load, transport, or unload your possessions. I encourage my clients to hire licensed, insured, reputable moving companies for this work. I recommend that you ask friends or family for referrals, suggest that you get multiple quotes, read the fine print, and understand the terms and conditions offered by the moving company.  

Q: What is a senior and specialty move manager?

A:  NASMM Move Managers have significant expertise in resources and approaches that save money, reduce stress, and produce quality results. Services are client-centered and personalized to meet your specific needs and preferences. 

 

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