FAQs

Every organizing session will look different depending on the project, goals and preferences, and whether it is in-person or virtual. Sessions may include support with the following: goal-setting; sorting/categorizing items; deciding what to keep/discard and where discarded items will go; finding homes for items; recommending organizing products or solutions; recommending systems to improve functioning; education regarding decluttering and organizing; support with motivation and accountability; support with habit change related to maintaining organization, and MORE. Services outside of the sessions may include: product researching, shopping, and assembly; dropping off items to certain donation and/or recycling programs; and coordinating with other professionals (e.g., install services, disposal services).

The cost and length of organizing projects varies greatly based on the size and number of spaces being addressed, the volume of items in those spaces, the model of service being used, and different factors about you. We do not provide specific quotes regarding the number of hours a project will take due to the large number of factors that we are unable to evaluate during the assessment (e.g., your decision-making style, the amount of items in every space, how much work you will do between sessions).

Smaller projects for a single room in which there are not a lot of decisions to be made may take just one or two sessions, while larger projects such as whole home organizing may take place over a period of many months.

People may choose virtual organizing services over in-person services for a number of reasons, such as not living in my service area, not feeling comfortable having someone come into their home, or because of budget constraints on their project. The following things should be considered when deciding whether to move ahead with virtual organizing:
1) Do you have a stable internet connection in your space and do you have the technology needed (i.e., device with access to a videoconferencing software/app with a functioning camera and microphone/speaker)?
2) Do you have the physical capability of carrying out the necessary organizing tasks in a safe manner or have a family member or trusted buddy who can be present with you to carry out these tasks?
3) Do you have the motivation and the time necessary to devote to carrying out organizing tasks between virtual sessions?

If you answered yes to these questions, then virtual organizing may be a good fit for you.

Absolutely! Information we obtain about you, your family members, or your business, are kept confidential. We follow rules of confidentiality in accordance with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Document Act (PIPEDA) as well as the Professional Organizers in Canada (POC) Code of Ethics. The only situations in which confidentiality may be broken are related to safety (e.g., suspected mistreatment of a vulnerable individual) or in situations required by law.

If you agree to having us use your before and after pictures for promotional purposes, anything in the photos that may identify you will be blurred out/removed from the photos prior to being used.

Payment is collected at the end of each session. The payment will include the fees related to the organizing session just completed, any travel fees, any fees from off-site activities conducted, and any reimbursement for products or supplies purchased.

Payment by e-transfer is preferable; however, cheques will be accepted as well.

The hourly rate includes the cost of one organizer per hour for any decluttering/planning/organizing services completed within that session. The rate includes disposal of certain items at a specific set of donation and/or recycling centers.

Travel costs are included for those falling within the core service area (Burlington, Oakville, & many areas in the Greater Hamilton Area). There is a $35+HST flat rate travel fee for in-person sessions outside of the core service area, including Milton and areas on the outskirts of the Greater Hamilton Area.

Services spent outside of the session itself (e.g., planning/design, product research, shopping, and disposal of items to places other than those pre-specified) are also billed at the same hourly rate. The cost of organizing supplies or products are not included in the organizing rates. We can purchase the products on your behalf (in which case you will be billed the cost of reimbursement and any shopping time), or you can choose to purchase the products yourself.

Cancellation of in-person and virtual organizing sessions must be provided 48 hours in advance. Failure to do so will result in a $70+HST fee.

Yes, Corrie is a member of the Professional Organizers in Canada. She has completed the Trained Professional Organizer Program and participates in ongoing professional education. As a member of POC, we are bound by their Code of Ethics, which focuses on values such as honesty, empathy, confidentiality, professionalism, equity, and integrity.

Corrie is a previous member of the Professional Organizers in Canada Education Committee where she contributed to the ongoing development of their training programs to ensure that organizers obtain appropriate and ethical training.

Yes, we are insured.

In nearly all cases, clients will be working with Corrie directly on their project. In cases where there is some time pressure to complete a project more quickly, or where we agree that it would be helpful to have extra hands helping, additional organizers will be brought in to assist. All organizers who join in on projects are also members of the Professional Organizers in Canada, and therefore abide by their Code of Ethics. They are also all insured.

For some projects, other professionals may be brought in to help achieve your goals (e.g., handy person, product designer/installer, disposal services, movers).

This will depend on the type of project we are working on and your goals. If your goal is to learn how to become better organized so that you can tackle some other spaces in your home with greater independence, then having you with us through many phases of organizing is important. If you are hoping for us to come in and set the space up to be organized and then teach you how to keep it that way, then there is more flexibility in terms of how much time you need to spend with us. In these cases, alternating between periods of being together to make decisions, and periods apart when we implement the things discussed is typical. This model can work well for those who need to hop on work meetings or get some work done periodically through the day, run some errands, pick up family members, etc.

We will not force you to do anything during the organizing process, including getting rid of any specific belongings. During the assessment process, we will spend time discussing your goals and the outcomes you are hoping for in terms of how you want your space to function, look, and feel. In a large majority of cases, there is a discrepancy between the volume of belonging people have and the goals they would like to achieve. Throughout the organizing process, we may repeatedly return to your stated goals and point out when your decisions about what to keep may prevent you from meeting your goals. In the end, you are in charge of deciding what to prioritize and whether you are willing to alter your goals in order to keep more of your belongings.

There is a small minority of cases in which the volume of belongings is not an area to target and the focus is mainly on better use of the space and/or implementing more appropriate organizing solutions. However, more often than not, clients are required to sometimes make difficult decisions about their belongings in order to achieve the outcome they desire.

Having a positive working relationship with one another is a necessary component to productive organizing and to you achieving your organizing goals. We are open to hearing feedback about what may not be working for you and suggestions for change. Clients with concerns are encouraged to raise these with us directly. We would prefer knowing that something isn’t working so that we can attempt to change it, rather than having you give up on the project or start from scratch with someone else.

If you would like to provide positive feedback about our organizing services, there are a number of ways to do this. Firstly, it is so helpful for us to hear verbally from you when things are going well and to hear what aspects of the process work well for you. This lets us know that we are on the right track and that we should stick with the current plan. Secondly, it is so helpful for the business for you to leave a positive review on our Google My Business page. Lastly, let your friends/colleagues/family know that you were happy with our services and about the kinds of benefits you received from hiring a Professional Organizer. Clients who refer someone will receive one free hour of organizing services if someone they refer purchases at least 6 hours of organizing services.

It is very common for people to feel nervous, embarrassed, or ashamed when inviting a professional organizer into their home/office. It is also common for people who have struggled with the organization of their space for a long time to question whether change and improvement are possible. Professional Organizers have seen homes/offices in all sorts of states and there is no judgement about the state of your home/office.

Change and improvement is possible in ALL cases; however, finding the right fit in an organizer is very important.

If you, or the person you are inquiring about for organizing services, has, or is suspected of having hoarding disorder or hoarding tendencies (e.g., clutter impacting safety and/or sanitary nature of the home, significant difficulty discarding belonging), or has a shopping compulsion/addiction leading to significant amounts of clutter, Professional Organizers who have specific training in this area is a must. At this time, this is not an area in which I have training or experience. I recommend you go to the website for the Institute for Challenging Disorganization for further reading and to find an organizer with the appropriate training.

(Updated December 2023). One Space at a Time is taking extra precautions to prioritize the health and safety of clients. We are following all provincial regulations with respect to reducing the spread of COVID-19 and the expectation is that all clients will follow local regulations as it pertains to the organizing process (e.g., social distancing, use of personal protective equipment, number of people allowed in a space). At this time, the organizer’s decision to wear face masks is made on a case by case basis. You may request that the organizer wears a mask at all times. While in your space, you may choose to wear, or not wear, a face mask.

If it is not safe for us to come into your home/office because we are unwell, we will reschedule the session. If anyone in your home/office is unwell or has come into contact with someone with COVID-19, the session will be rescheduled and the cancellation fee will be waived. If appropriate, a virtual organizing session can be conducted in place of an in-person session.