Frequently asked questions
Preparing to work together
I live in Hove, East Sussex. My virtual services cover worldwide – all you need is the internet. For my in-house services, I will travel within an hour of where I live for free and will negotiate travel costs outside this. Previous areas of work include Brighton, Hove, Portslade, Southwick, Shoreham, Worthing, Saltdean, Peacehaven, Lewes, and Haywards Heath.
Sessions can be booked between 9am-7pm Monday to Sunday, depending on my availability. I will occasionally work earlier or later depending on the project. The cost is the same for all days/times. If a session runs during a mealtime, I will take a short break to eat – you will not be charged for this.
My service is for anyone who feels they’d like a bit more organisation in their life or home. I work with all ages and genders and can help you whether you live on your own, with a partner, family or housemates.
If you have a disability, I am happy to adapt how I work to suit your physical or mental needs. Unfortunately, I am not qualified to work with those who have Hoarding Disorder and if at any point during our working together I suspect the process of decluttering might be at all distressing to you, we will stop and I will help you find someone who is better equipped to suit your needs.
Organising your home with the help of a professional is much easier and more effective than doing it by yourself or with friends or family.
I have practised organising throughout my life, read countless books and trained as a professional organiser. I’m a member of the Association of Professional Declutterers and Organisers (APDO) and follow its code of ethics. I am also a member of the ICO, am DBS checked and am fully insured.
I understand that everyone is different. The solutions we put in place will be unique to you and your life. Rather than just tidy things away, I can help you to understand the reasons you might be struggling with disorganisation. Together, we can put measures in place which will help you become and stay organised.
I’m unjudgemental, understanding and supportive. I hope to bring to your home a calming presence, expertise and the enthusiasm needed to make the process of creating your dream space both fun and exciting.
Unless you have pre-paid for your session(s) or bought a package, I’ll send you an invoice at the end of each session.
I do not charge a deposit, so while I understand you may sometimes need to cancel a session at short notice, I would be grateful for as much notice as possible. I reserve the right to charge a £50 cancellation fee for sessions which are cancelled with less than 24 hours notice without a good reason. If I need to cancel a session within 24 hours, I will usually offer a discounted rate on our rescheduled session.
When working together, I will take lunch and other breaks unpaid.
As we tidy, you may wish to purchase new storage for your home. I can research and make suggestions for you, but you’ll need to buy the items yourself. We can try to use what you already have around your house if you’d prefer.
Bin bags, labels, post-it notes and the like are included in my price.
Travel is free within an hour of my home in Hove and negotiable for areas outside of this.
While my virtual sessions over Zoom might be preferable to many during this time, I am happy to do face-to-face sessions as the law permits.
I am happy to wear a mask, gloves, and do a rapid response test on the morning of our sessions.
Contact me using your preferred method and we’ll chat about how I can help you achieve your organising goals.
We’ll discuss things such as your living situation, availability, and budget. Then, when you’re happy, we will arrange either to meet at your home or on Zoom so that we can get to know each other a little better, take a closer look at your space and confirm details about working together.
Once we have a plan to get started, sit back, relax and please don’t worry. It’s best if you don’t tidy before I arrive. It doesn’t matter how messy your house is, I won’t judge. Allow yourself to feel excited about our sessions and the happiness and calmness they’ll bring.
Your home is an extension of your inner self and if you’re unhappy with it, it will impact on every area of your life.
Decluttering and organising can take a long time on your own. A professional will support and encourage you and empower you to make the right decisions and complete the task more quickly.
Not only will it be more fun, but you’ll also learn processes to help you maintain your tidy home and any other space you find yourself in in future.
When you sort your home, you sort your life. It’s a small price to pay for a calmer, more positive existence.
The organising process
Rest assured, what I see in your home and the condition it’s in will be completely confidential. I am a verified member of APDO, the UK’s membership association for decluttering and organising professionals. APDO sets standards, provides professional development and supports the growth of the industry. I follow APDO’s code of ethics and am also registered with the ICO and bound by law to respect your privacy. I don’t wear company logos or drive a marked car and I have a quiet voice, so no one needs to know I’m there. You’re free to tell as many or as few people as you wish.
Homes are private and personal places and I understand if there’s a certain draw or cupboard you’d rather us not tackle together. But I’d like to reassure you, if I may, by saying that you don’t have to worry or feel embarrassed about anything you have in your house. While I’m very discrete, know that nothing could shock me or make me judge you.
Please see my Privacy Policy and T&Cs for more information.
It depends on how much work there is and the level of support you require.
Whatever your budget or time frame, we can find a way of working together. If you only want to hire my services for a few hours, for example, we will prioritise tasks to get the most important things done and put plans in place so that you feel confident carrying out the remaining tasks on your own.
My one-off plans are a perfect solution if you’re happy to carry out the organising yourself and want some guidance, and my virtual services are a cost-effective option for ongoing support. Get in touch and we’ll have a chat about how I can best help you on your organising journey.
We’ll start by setting or recapping our priorities and aims for the session.
Then we’ll work together at your chosen speed, stopping for breaks as and when you like. I would usually work with you during the decluttering stage. Then I will go through plans for organising and styling with you and I can either complete this part on my own, or I’m happy to do it with you if you’d prefer. If speed is an issue, I’m happy to work on a separate area to you, so that we can get your home tidied more quickly.
Near the end of each session, we’ll arrange your home into a liveable condition and reflect on what we’ve achieved. We’ll discuss any actions needed between sessions and make a plan for the following session. At the end of each session, you should feel a little happier and calmer.
It is important that you and everyone you live with are there while we declutter any shared spaces and that we do not make decluttering decisions about anyone else’s things on their behalf, including children, unless they’re too young to understand. Once we’ve decluttered, I can then make suggestions on where and how I believe it will be best for you to organise your home and once I know you’re happy, I can put things away without you or anyone else needing to be there, but you’re welcome to be a part of the whole process if you’d prefer.
It’s your choice what you choose to live with and I would never make you part with anything. I use no magic powers of persuasion. Instead, my job will be to empower you to understand what makes you feel good and what holds you back, so that you can make clear and positive choices.
Then, I’ll help you sort the items you’re letting go of so that you can arrange to take to the charity shop or the tip or have them collected by the council or a clearance company.
Feng Shui is the art of balancing and harmonising natural energies in the home and other surroundings.
We’re surrounded by energy everywhere we go. And it affects how we feel. Walk into a room where there has just been an argument and you’ll sense the feeling of tenseness and negativity. We respond well to positive, loving energy. It lifts us up.
Being the place we keep our personal possessions and spend a lot of our time, the energy within our home affects us deeply. By clearing out negative and stagnant energy and filling our home with positive energy, we being to notice a difference in how we feel. Like attracts like, so when you fill your home with positivity, not only will your home become a lovely place to be, you’ll start to attract positivity in other areas of your life.
Energy flows constantly and part of Feng Shui is not just bringing in positive energy, but in making sure that energy can flow within your home. A Feng Shui expert should provide you with tips on how to do this.
As we’re decluttering and organising your home, we will probably need to clean items or areas which are dusty or dirty. The result will be more uplifting your home is fresh and clean. I am happy to clean with or for you as we go. However, I cannot lift overly large or heavy furniture without help. Nor am I qualified to do any specialist cleaning, such as fabrics or carpets.
I am okay with all pets, even pet tarantulas (I used to be terrified, but I completed a day course last year which removed all my fear – I’m happy to provide details if you wish as I’d highly recommend it!). Though I do ask if possible that you keep dogs in another room while we work, as they can get in the way a bit.
Got another question?
Get in touch and I’ll do my best to help.