FAQ's & Tips
Do I need a professional organizer, redesigner, or home stager?
How far will you travel? Where are you located?
Is this considered a business expense?
How long have you been doing this?
Did you go to school for this?
Do you come with a crew or work alone?
Will you make me get rid of everything?
What do I have to do to get ready?
What other kinds of things can you help with?
Do you offer free consultations?
What if I don’t have a big budget for decorating?
Can you help with color selection and painting?
What if you decorate and I don’t like it?
What if you stage my home and it doesn’t sell?
Do I need a professional organizer, redesigner, or home stager?
These three things are related, but you probably don’t need all three at once. With professional organizing the focus is on improving function. We typically will work together to organize so the systems continue to work for you well after we are done with your project. Redesign is the process of totally transforming the look of your space using mostly things you already own; your familiar belongings are treated to a pulled-together, decorator look. Home staging helps to create the model home that buyers are seeking, in a cost-effective way, and it is less likely to reflect your own personal style. The outcome of these three projects in the same space might be very different. If you still aren’t sure which service is for you, please call us at 856-905-3202 to discuss.
How far will you travel? Where are you located?
HeartWork Organizing primarily operates in the 5-county Philadelphia and South Jersey areas (roughly Cherry Hill to Bridgeton).
We offer Project Pricing after we scope your project, so you’ll always know what the charge for your services are when you accept the agreement. We generally do not charge hourly fees. Organizing consultations are free, decorating consultations are generally $150 and hands on services start at $350. Please call 856-905-3202 for more information about your project.
Is this considered a business expense?
We work with many small businesses, and the services that we provide are often tax deductible. A receipt can be provided for your project. Please check with your tax advisor.
A simple room redesign takes place in under a day. Home staging can take from one day to a week for most projects. Professional organizing projects are determined on a case by case basis, but are usually between 1-10 visits plus a defined maintenance plan carried out by you alone or with our assistance.
How long have you been doing this?
HeartWork Organizing started in 2005, but Darla’s experience includes over 20 years of organizing, home improvement and project management in many different paid and volunteer roles.
Did you go to school for this?
Yes. Along with a Masters degree in Business, Darla also pursued formal training in organizing, redesign, and home staging. Darla continues to pursue ongoing training by attending annual conferences and additional topical training each and every year. You can read more about Darla’s qualifications here, About the Organizer.
Scheduling is built around you. We can work with you on weekends, weeknights, or daytime hours, as needed. Organizing appointments are usually 3 to 4 hours at a time. Just call us to discuss.
Do you come with a crew or work alone?
It depends. Despite what you’ve seen on TV, we won’t show up with a large crew and trucks to alert your neighbors. Depending on the work we need to accomplish, we’ll bring an appropriate sized staff, if needed. Sometimes there will be just one person. You’ll always know in advance who will be working with us. All staff are insured and trained.
Will you make me get rid of everything?
We’re here to help you find space for the things you really love. We can help you decide what to keep, what to display and what to share with others. We NEVER insist that your stuff be thrown out. You make the ultimate decision about what stays or goes. Your stuff is an important part of you, but if it is making you crazy we can help.
What do I have to do to get ready?
We’d really like you not to try to get ready for your first organizing appointment. By seeing what you are struggling with firsthand, we can help you address it. For redesign, please feel free to share any inspiration photographs or treasured items that can help us design the space. For home staging, if possible, please call us before you clear out the house or paint or begin showing your house. We can help you make really good, cost effective decisions about how to prep your home for sale.
What other kinds of things can you help with?
We have a great network of service providers, contractors, and business professionals that can make your life easier. We love sharing good resources. Just ask.
Do you offer free consultations?
On-site organizing consultations are free as long as scheduling and distance allow. They take about 30 minutes. We often recommend that you schedule your first organizing appointment (about 3 hours) along with your free consultation. Hey, your life is busy, too, so why schedule a second appointment? After the consultation and written estimate, if you decide that you can’t proceed just then, there’s still no charge.
What if I don’t have a big budget for decorating?
Re-design is about being creative with what you already own. You’ll be amazed at how great your stuff can look with some strategic space planning, color, accessorizing and lighting. If you are already planning on making some purchases, just let us know. We’ll work with you to make your best selections, or we can shop for you.
Can you help with color selection and painting?
Yes, a color consultation is generally a one hour appointment to select a palate (minimum 3 colors) for a minimum of one room. We got out of the painting business long ago, but we can connect you with some great painters.
What if you decorate and I don’t like it?
We guarantee that won’t happen. How? In a redesign, we use stuff you already own and love. The space is about you, not just about what’s hot or in style. We also cover what your goals are before we start. We will tweak any part of a design that doesn’t seem to work for you, you need only ask. Finally, in the unlikely event that you don’t like the redesign, we’ll put things back the way they were, no charge.
The best time to stage is before you meet with your Realtor®. We’ve been involved with many situations where the realtor was willing to increase the price of the house after staging. At a minimum, stage before you list the house, even if that means holding off on showings for a few days. By presenting an attractive, appealing property, you maximize the chances of the first buyers falling in love with your home, and that increases the chances of early offers, more offers, and offers that are closer to your target price.
What if you stage my home and it doesn’t sell?
Staging is about creating a home that emotionally appeals to most buyers. Marketing, pricing, and negotiating are also keys to achieving a sale. We highly recommend that you are working with a proven, professional Realtor ® to maximize your exposure to the market and your ability to respond to buyers. If you aren’t connected with one, we might be able to help.
Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 856-905-3202, and let’s talk!
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