Frequently Asked Organizing Questions

To cause to develop an organic structure...to form a coherent unity or functioning whole...to arrange elements into a functioning whole.

Edit what you don’t need, sort what’s left, assign a place for all similar items, containerize and label, develop a system to maintain your organized spaces, evaluate and revise as you go.

By hiring a Professional Organizer, you can expect a high level of expertise, respect, confidentiality, no judgment and a plan to organize your space.

Our process lessens the time and effort that you and your family must spend performing these tasks.

This hands on assistance decreases clutter, maximizes storage space, time is managed better, productivity is improved and systems are created for the efficient and productive use of your workplace and household going forward.

Professional Organizers create customized solutions to increase the efficiency of your home or office to find balance and maximize your time and resources. 

 It's all about making systems that fit you and your life so that you can find more freedom in your life.

Ultimately we work together in developing your personal organizing plan. Decisions about what items are no longer wanted, the level of organization you desire and what types of storage solutions/products are used are always made based on your vision and budget which results in you feeling organized.

That depends on you and your unique situation!  We offer 3 levels of service:

1. Do It Yourself:  We have compiled a handy guide of local resources that we also use to help complete client organizing projects. 

2. Done With You:  This is the best of both worlds where you have our Professional Organizer work with you to create a comprehensive organizing plan. We can even provide a no-obligation quote to assist you with challenging aspects of your project that you would rather leave to a professional.

3. Done For You: You may have started a project but for some reason, you cannot finish. Or, you have a clear idea about what needs to be done but you don't have the time, energy or ability to get started and finished. This is where we come in and do it all for you!

Again that depends on you and your unique situation!  

Many years of accumulated possessions, the size of and use of a certain space, small items vs. large items, the client's ability/willingness to complete homework assignments in between sessions impact the time it takes to free your space. 

We will always work within your budget and work on your priority spaces first.

We are happy to work with you to dispose of your gently used, unwanted items to a local charitable or non-profit organization within The City of Calgary. We provide this extra service at a rate of $50+GST per hour (including travel time).

At this time, we don’t provide waste or recycling removal services. Check our Do It Yourself Organizing Resources page for a list of recommended vendors who may be able to better assist you in this area.

If unwanted items belong in your residential garbage or recycle bin, please make sure they go there responsibly.

We are not insured to transport hazardous waste such as chemicals, paint/paint thinners, car oil, batteries, bio-waste, sharp items, or pharmaceuticals. We will also gladly provide you with recommendations for suitable third-party vendors.

NOTE: Some charities have changed their practices and policies due to the COVID-19 global pandemic and they may not accept donations. As a consequence, some items that would normally be donated, may need to be discarded.

At this time, we don't provide this service. Check our Do It Yourself Organizing Resources page for local vendors who may be able to better assist you in this area.

Yes. We have a team who can assist with the downsizing and organizing process. The key to a successful downsizing is to have a professional plan created specifically for you and your space. Noreen Music, our Lead Professional Organizer would initially meet with you to formulate the organizing plan. Once you approve of the plan, our project management team will create the detailed project plan and begin working to meet the project completion date.

Each additional helper is charged back at a rate of $50+GST per hour.

A premium rate is charged for rush, emergency, evening or weekend appointments (1.5 times regular rate).

The more the merrier! Friends or family who are willing to help you sort, pack/unpack boxes, etc. are more than welcome to join in. Keep in mind that you are the client and we will always take our cues and direction from you, not your helpers.

Of course! We will use what you already have on hand as much as possible.

If we need additional organizing products/supplies you can source & purchase your own or we can help you with recommendations.

Or if you prefer, we can take care of this for you. We will charge you back exactly what it cost us with no mark up (receipts can be made available) plus $50+GST per hour.

We recommend that organizing products are not purchased until after the sorting process is complete so we know exactly what is needed.

Absolutely! We carry Commercial General Liability and Professional Liability insurance and police clearance. 

If we decide to work together, we will gladly provide you with proof of insurance and/or police clearance upon your request.

I am a Trained Professional Organizer with the Professional Organizers in Canada.

I have worked with hundreds of residential and business clients to assist them with organizing, productivity and coaching services.  

Being organized is a way of life for me so I have all of my personal experiences, tips and tricks to share with you.

Each client, household and work environment is different. There is no judgement and there isn't a level of disorganization that we can't handle. Remember that we love what we do and we are on your side working for you!

The great news is that getting and staying organized is a learnable skill that anyone can learn if they are open and willing.

Different people have different levels of acceptable clutter and we will work together to ensure your vision of your space is attained. By deciding to work with a Professional Organizer, your odds of long term success greatly increase.

I will ask you questions to try to understand the root cause of the problem and identify your specific needs.

If we decide we are a good fit, I will let you know my Home Organizing service options.

Think of what your vision and goals are for your space after you have completed the organizing process.

Ask yourself:
What do I value most?
What makes me happy?
What do I most want to accomplish?
How will getting organized improve my life?

Please do NOT clean up.

Remove any obvious recycling/garbage from the area we will be starting in.

Ensure the space is clean and safe so organizing can begin right away.

Have garbage bags handy in case we find more items to discard or recycle during the initial sort.

Place 4 large empty boxes in the space (donate/sell, keep, doesn’t belong, undecided).

Complete previously agreed upon homework and product purchasing.

If any family or friends will be joining us, let them know your vision and expectations so they help, not hinder, the process.

By completing the above preparations, our time together will be well used and you will save time and money in the long run!

The minimum hands on organizing session we offer is 3 hours.  

We are flexible in booking for longer periods. If you have the time and energy, we can book up to a 6 hour session.

We work together to develop a plan that fits within your timeline, budget and priorities.

We will show up ready to transform your space!

We will review and agree on the organizing plan for the day.

Work together and begin the sorting process.

Organizational systems put in place that work for you and your family.

Review and evaluate our accomplishments to ensure your expectations were met.

Remember that things will always look worse before they look better! It is a part of the process and is critical to successfully meet your vision and goals.

We have a "not calling to confirm" policy. 

Once we have an appointment on the calendar, we do NOT call to confirm. We will be at your home on the agreed upon date and time.

If you are scheduled for service and need to cancel, we require forty-eight (48) hours advance notice. 

If we do not receive forty-eight hours notice, you will be charged the minimum rate of three (3) hours of service. 

We are committed to keeping our appointments with you and appreciate that commitment being provided back to us. 

Provided forty-eight (48) hours advance notice is given to cancel the scheduled date and you do not wish to proceed, your payment will be refunded less a 20% administration fee.

E-transfer (preferred), cash, credit card. 

We will work with you in your space to install or implement resources to help you finish your project within our scope of services.

We can help you find a suitable 3rd party for service(s) you may need outside of what OMS offers.  We can also develop and manage a contractor service plan for you at our additional services rate of $50+GST per hour (including travel time).

Check our Do It Yourself Organizing Resources page for a list of recommended vendors for your use. Check back often as we will keep adding to this resource list as we find new people, companies and products to recommend to you.

Gift certificates are available for our home and business organizing sessions, coaching services and productivity programs.

When gifting sessions, services or programs, we ask that the person being gifted is ready and open to the process before we contact them for the initial assessment. 

We will then provide them with an estimate on completing the entire project, service or program, including the amount you wish to gift (minimum $50).

To order a gift certificate, click HERE to purchase and send online.

We offer a satisfaction guarantee.

We do not offer a refund for organizing services as we cannot guarantee the exact level of organization. There are many factors involved that can impact the pace and outcome of the project.

If the goals we agreed upon are not met, we will take all reasonable steps to ensure that your goals are met. At the end of every working session we evaluate our accomplishments to ensure your goals and expectations are being addressed.

Your satisfaction means everything to us.

Yes we do!

Our goal is to help each of our valued clients break free from the clutter and disorganization that holds them back from experiencing true freedom in their homes or businesses/work.

When you work with OMS and invest your precious time, money and hard work to create clean, efficient, functional and organized spaces, it's an exhilarating feeling! Many of our clients are so excited about their results, they want to share this same experience with their families, friends and co-workers.

When you make a referral and they become a home organizing client of OMS, you will receive a $100 credit that can be used towards your next home organizing session. Or you can gift it to someone else!

When you make a referral and they become a business organizing/coaching client of OMS, you will receive a FREE workshop of your choice (valued at $199). You can experience this workshop yourself or you can gift it to someone else!