Frequently Asked Questions
Have you ever wondered what it is like to work with us? We are here to answer some of the most frequently asked questions. We hope these help you understand our process better and how we can serve you!
Is Suddenly Simple a good fit for me?
Obviously, one of our main goals is to help you declutter your space, but more importantly, we help set up a system specifically for YOU to ensure that you continue to stay organized. Long-term organizing systems include having the right products, as well as a process for maintaining what we put in place for you. Our team is made up of compassionate, non-judmental, friendly people that will help guide you through what can be an overwhelming endeavor if you tried to do it on your own.
Do I have to spend a lot of money on organizing products?
Investing in the right organizing products will help you keep your new system maintainable for a long time! The budget for any organizing supplies is completely up to you. Our first priority is to find use for organizing products you already own. However, if they are not a good fit for your items or space or you need to supplement with more organizing products, we are happy to source those items for you and bring them to your session.
Our team has years of experience finding quality products while keeping your budget in mind. We have go-to solutions that work for many spaces, and we keep inventory on hand to help complete your project. However, if specialty items are needed or you want items unique to your style we will be happy to accommodate your needs.
The product budget is up to you, but to make sure we are on the same page with your desired outcome, we have created a Product e-Book that breaks down product budgets for each space into 3 tiers. This will give you a general range for a typical space and even examples of spaces we have organized within that budget. This ensures that we are on the same page with how much you want to spend on products and that you are comfortable with the budget to achieve your goals.
What can I expect about the organizing process?
The organizing process is SIMPLE. First, we will pull out all of your items and categorize them. Then we help you decide what you want to purge and create donation, trash, and keep piles. After that, we will plan out the space and organize it to make it functional and easy to maintain.
Do I need to be there?
By the time you reach out to us, more than likely you have attempted to get organized at least once on your own. You are wanting someone to take the task off of your to-do list. That is exactly what we do!
We handle the sorting, planning, product sourcing, and organizing for you. The only part we need you for is the purging process - and even that part you don’t have to do on your own!
These are your things, and you can keep as much or as little as you want. However, when everything is out and sorted it is a great time to at least look through your items to see if they are things you want to keep storing. We are there to help guide you through this process by gently talking with you to help you make decisions on what stays and what goes. Once you have made decisions on what you want to keep, we handle the rest until the exciting final reveal!
Typically, after the first 1-2 hours of sorting, we are ready for you to purge. The amount of time the purging process takes really depends on how quickly you can make decisions. We also ask that you are available (in-person or by phone) for any other questions we may have along the way so that we can ensure the system we are creating will work specifically for your needs and routines.
What if my spouse isn’t on board?
We are happy to discuss the benefits of our services with anyone in your household, especially those helping make the financial decisions. Although you may already know that our services will add value to your life, others may not be on board right away. Hiring an organizer can be intimidating or viewed as unnecessary from an outsider.
I’ve found that in many instances, it is best to start with a personal space of your own, rather than a shared space, so that your spouse can understand the process and see the value in having an organized space in your life. In our experience, starting with a personal space or a smaller space can help ease pushback from a family member.
Can you help with my move?
Yes! We can help with packing, moving day management, and unpacking/organizing after a move. If you have ever moved, you know the stress that comes with uprooting an entire house worth of items, getting them to a new place, and feeling settled as soon as possible.
When you hire our team prior to a move, you get the benefit of doing a thorough purge and not paying to move items you no longer want in your new place. You also ensure that your items are carefully and thoughtfully packed in a way that keeps the end goals in mind. For example, we pack based on where items will go in the new home. We are sorting like items together to make the most efficient use of space and of boxes on the front end, while keeping in mind the efficiency of unpacking on the back end.
We are available to direct movers on moving day to ensure that all items are packed and nothing is left behind. We can also be there on move-in day to direct movers to take all boxes to the correct rooms - in turn creating less chaos and easy unpacking.
If you hire our team to unpack your new home, we can help create maintainable systems from the start. Many times when you move in, you want to get the boxes out as soon as possible and you just don’t have the bandwidth to create organizational systems in every room. We can help with any or all areas in your home to help find long-term solutions and a place for everything.
What rooms do you organize?
We organize any space! We organize everything from closets, to kitchens, to bathrooms, to offices, to playrooms, to paperwork, to garages/attics, to storage units, and small businesses.
What do I do with my purged items?
For liability reasons, we do not take any items off site, including any trash or donatable items. You have the freedom to do whatever you wish with the items you are purging. You can sell, donate, give to a friend, or toss what you don’t want. If you have a large amount, we work with a local junk removal service, P’s and Q’s, who will come pick up all of your unwanted items. They will donate what they can, and dispose of the rest. (P’s and Q’s own rates apply to the use of their services.)
Do I need to do anything before you come?
There is no need to do anything prior to your session! In fact, our entire process is dependent on us doing each and every step. While we are emptying a space, we are sorting items into categories. Those categories help us break down the purging step into a manageable task for you, and all of the previous steps allow us to start thinking of ways to make your space work with your stuff! During our process we are evaluating the amount of stuff you have vs. the amount of space you have. We are considering product that will help make the best use of your space. We are asking you questions along the way to ensure that the system works for you. If we are not involved in all of these steps, you will not get the best result.
If you are itching to do something before we come, you can always start purging. Pull out items you know that you don’t want to go back into the space. However, I promise you will purge more if you wait until we get there. Our method of sorting before purging makes the process easier by breaking an overwhelming space down into manageable categories, and by talking with us through each category you are less likely to talk yourself into keeping items you really don’t want or use.
I want my whole house done. Where do I start?
Anywhere! If you already are on board for organizing your entire house, just getting started is the key. Keep in mind that organizing one space means taking out items that don’t belong in that space and moving them to a room where they will eventually go…even if there is not an exact spot for them yet.
If you are still stuck, a consultation to talk through your biggest frustrations will help us get to know your space and figure out the best place to start. My recommendation is usually a space big enough to make a difference in your daily life - the kitchen where you spend time multiple times a day, your closet or bathroom which sets the tone for you getting ready each day, or the playroom so your kids have a place to keep them busy while we work on other areas of your home.
Whatever you decide, know that the goal is to eventually get your whole home working together for you and your family’s routines so that everyone is on the same page and knows what they can do to help keep the system running smoothly.
How are you different from other organizers?
There are so many things that make me proud to be a part of this business. What it all comes down to though is our team. This group of girls is the most dedicated, empathetic, hard-working, sweetest group you could ask for! They really are the reason we are different! We all thrive on making spaces both functional and beautiful -you don’t have to choose one or the other! We are quick workers, but also offer a quality that is unmatched. Each one of us is dedicated to treating every client like they are our only client!
Do you help with decorating and design?
We are excellent at helping you see potential in what you already have. Our specialty is really repurposing what you have and supplementing if needed. Organizing is our focus, but we can help with some basic design/decorating needs.
Can you help with closet design?
Yes! We have designed several closets with different design companies. We are able to offer discounts on closet designs through a couple of different companies and can usually do the installations ourselves!
How much will it cost?
We work on an hourly basis. We bring 2-4 organizers to each session, depending on the size of your specific project and our availability. Our rate is $65/hour for each organizer scheduled. After our initial phone consultation and seeing your space, we will be able to give you the best estimate we can for your project based on your needs and previous similar projects.
