Our Most Frequently Asked Questions...

WHAT DOES A PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZER DO?

A professional organizer specializes in designing systems that streamline every aspect of your life – from sorting and filing your important paper documents, to categorizing and labeling the food in your pantry, to finally tackling the garage.

A professional organizer allows you to be more productive and efficient during your day by saving you time, money and stress.  When your home is tidy and items are easy to find, you eliminate wasted time searching for lost things, wasted money accidentally buying duplicates of things you already own, and wasted stress worrying about how to manage all your stuff!  

WHAT AREAS DO YOU SPECIALIZE IN?

We help with home organization and decluttering, unpacking and organizing after a move, preparing homes for sale, holiday decorating and take down of décor, and any other organizational challenge you face.  

DOES THE ORGANIZER COME TO ME?

Yes, all sessions take place in your home or office.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE INITIAL CONSULTATION?

We come to your home or office, tour the space that needs help, and discuss what you like and don’t like about the space. We’ll assess your space and challenges, and we’ll propose ideas and solutions! Based on your feedback, we’ll create a strategy and proposal to organize your space. These activities are included in the free consultation.

With an agreed upon plan, we’ll make the strategy come to fruition. 

HOW MANY HOURS WILL IT TAKE TO ORGANIZE?

It depends on the size and number of spaces, their current state, and your desired outcome. Generally, in three hours we can complete a small space such as a closet, laundry room, or entryway. Larger or more complex areas, like home offices, kitchens, basements, or heavily cluttered areas, may take longer. 

Some clients simply need someone to help them get started, and then finish the jobs themselves. Others prefer to have the organizer complete the entire job from start to finish. Each client’s needs are unique.

WILL I FEEL EMBARRASSED BY MY MESS?

Please do not feel embarrassed! Professional organizers don’t judge — we’re here to help you! All services provided by Get Organized with Alison and Laurie are confidential. We don’t focus on the clutter, we focus on the end result!

DO I NEED TO BE PRESENT DURING MY SESSIONS?

It depends. During our first session, the sorting process goes much faster if you are there to authorize which items we will be donating or discarding.  We will never remove anything from the home unless we have your permission.  After we have finished sorting, we are more than happy to finish the project for you by categorizing, labeling, and styling your items!

CAN MY KIDS BE HOME WHEN WE ORGANIZE?

Of course, however very young children may slow us down, and you’re paying for this special time with a professional organizer. When organizing older children’s rooms, it is important to get their input, either directly or through the parent.

MY WHOLE HOUSE NEEDS ORGANIZING, WHERE DO WE START?

Each client is unique; this might depend on where you feel the most stress, the area that looks the worst, or the area that is most critical to your family or office functioning. For example, while the kids’ playroom might look the worst, the kitchen might need to come first if it is the epicenter of your family; if you eat, talk, pay bills, sort mail, and do schoolwork in the kitchen, it’s a room that needs to be functional immediately! For those who can’t fit a car in the garage due to all that clutter, we might start there. If your bedroom leaves you feeling stressed rather than rested, this may be the place to start. Get Organized with Alison and Laurie will help you determine where to start if you are unsure.

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO PREPARE FOR THE INITIAL CONSULTATION?  DO I NEED TO CLEAN AND TIDY UP BEFORE YOU ARRIVE?

You do not need to tidy up or sort anything before our first visit! In fact, it is helpful if we can see how the space currently functions for your family and which aspects of organizing you struggle with the most.

WILL I HAVE TO GET RID OF MOST OF MY THINGS?

Absolutely not! Purging and decluttering is an important part of the organizing process, but we will never ask you to part with things you truly need or love.  The goal is to create a designated space for every item you already own and to create systems to sort and contain any new items you bring into your home in the future.

DO SESSION PRICES INCLUDE THE COST OF CONTAINERS, BINS, BASKETS, OR OTHER PRODUCTS?

No, any material costs such as storage bins, shelving, dividers, boxes, etc. will only be purchased if you would like to incorporate them.  Organizing products are never required, and many times, we can use storage systems you already own.

If you decide that you would like to use additional products, we will determine an agreed upon budget for those supplies and take care of purchasing them. 

HOW ARE SERVICES PRICED AND ESTIMATED?

After our initial consultation, we will give you a proposal with an estimated number of hours to complete, using our established hourly rate.

We work diligently to complete all jobs within the estimate (aiming for expediency where possible!). Our business is based on total customer satisfaction, and this incentivizes us to stay within budget at all times.

HOW DO I PAY?

We accept cash, checks, and all major credit cards.

CAN I GIVE THE GIFT OF ORGANIZATION?

Yes, we offer gift certificates! Although, please remember that organizing sessions will only be productive if the client is receptive, motivated, and ready to get organized!

WHAT AREAS DOES GET ORGANIZED WITH ALISON AND LAURIE SERVE?

We offer hands-on organizing services in Huntsville and surrounding suburbs, including (but not limited to) Madison, Owens Cross Roads, Gurley, New Hope and Guntersville. If you live outside of these areas, please call to discuss. 

HOW DO I GET STARTED?

If you have additional questions, or you’d like to set up an organizing session, please e-mail us at getorganizedwithAL@gmail.com or give us a call at 256-384-5776.