Frequently Asked Questions
What do you charge?
My rates for residential projects and small office projects are available upon request on a rate sheet that I can email to you. They include Pricing Packages, which are a way to save money by committing to larger blocks of time. The larger blocks of time tend to be better investments because they provide more opportunity for you to absorb the organizing skills that will keep you organized for life. Larger commercial projects require a consultation to come up with an estimate.
How long does something like this take?
I have cleared out a cluttered 320 square foot room including 2 full sized closets and transformed it into a beautiful guest room in 3 hours, but I have also spent the same amount of time emptying just two bags of paper. It really depends on how ready you are to get organized. Projects have ranged from 3 hours to 2 years, but each individual session is only 3 hours long.
Is the work hands-on or do you just advise?
Hands-on work is definitely an essential part of our service. You will start to see clear spaces within the first 15 minutes and as we progress I provide advise for how to keep it that way.
You're not going to make me throw EVERYTHING away are you?
No. I like my stuff too. I will, however, provide options for how to relieve yourself of items that no longer serve you well. These options include donating, selling, or maybe just reassigning. I will help you prioritize the items that are most important to you and by clearing out the excess, you will have better access to what matters most. And yes, there will be SOME items that I will strongly urge you to toss!
Do you work like they do on those organizing TV shows?
The organizing shows have been great for creating awareness of the Organizing profession for many, myself included. However, there are two key differences: I will not promise to get you organized in 2 days and I do not include Interior Design as part of my services.
Do you work alone?
Yes, on smaller projects, no, on larger ones. For big projects like basements, garages, and offices I have an excellent team of assistants which makes the job go faster.
Can you organize my husband?
Sadly no. There are far more people that NEED to get organized than those that WANT to get organized. No doubt, he would tell me "it may look like a mess, but I know where everything is." WANTING to get organized is a prerequisite for hiring my services. That said, by addressing YOUR organizing challenges, it may open up possibilities in his mind that he hadn't imagined before. Talk is cheap, but seeing is believing. By the way, the same answer applies to "Can you organize my wife?"
Is a consultation necessary before we can get started?
Usually not, but for larger projects like entire households and businesses, it is.
Do you offer a free consultation?
No, I charge my hourly rate, but if you hire me as a result then I use that payment as a deposit toward the project, making that first hour essentially free of charge.
Are you bonded?
Matt Baier Organizing LLC is fully bonded and insured and references are freely available upon request. Furthermore, I have secured references from each of my Assistants. NOTHING is more important in starting work with you than establishing trust. Without trust, we won't make much progress, so I do whatever it takes to make you feel comfortable with me.
What organizing products do you recommend that I buy?
Nothing yet. I will recommend a prescription after I've had a full opportunity to make a diagnosis.
What do I need to provide for a session?
A willingness to let go of what's no longer serving you and a desire to see some serious progress. I'll provide the organizing tools and supplies.
Do you need me to be available for the whole session?
Not necessarily. The more you are able to be involved, the more likely the organizing skills I teach will last. I do, however, understand that clutter often accumulates because one is too busy to address it. This may be the reason you contacted me in the first place. The minimal availability I require is 25% of a session, some at the beginning and some at the end. It's important to remember this: my job is not to organize you, it is to help YOU get organized. I can't do this without you.
How far do you travel?
I will travel anywhere within 20 miles, which includes most of Fairfield, CT and Westchester, NY for free. I will also serve clients in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and Northern New Jersey, but travel fees do apply.
Won't being organized compromise my creativity?
On the contrary, it will improve it. I am uniquely qualified to say this because I come from a creative background. I never attended anything that remotely resembled Organizing School, but I did attend The School of Visual Arts. (By the way there's no such thing as Organizing School). My background is in Illustration, Art Direction, and Licensed Characters. See how I increased creative productivity through organization in my Bio. Won't you be more creative if you can instantly lay your hands on that Winsor & Newton series 7 sable brush than if you are turning your studio upside down looking for it?
Will you teach me how to get organized?
Absolutely. I want to build my reputation on teaching you the benefits of keeping LESS not on the habit of making you spend MORE.
Do you accept Credit Cards?
Yes, if it's Visa and MasterCard.