Frequently Asked Questions

  • “Professional organisers are trained, skilled specialists who have received certification in the field and help people who are too busy, too confused, too tired or too stressed to deal with organising their own cluttered living spaces or work environment…Creating spaces and organisational systems for their clients by utilising their experience and knowledge in the field, combined with tested principles.” - APDO UK.

    A Declutter Coach is a professional who not only organises but specialises to:

    • Provide you with one on one support throughout the initial process and maintenance phases.

    • Help you break down what you’d like to achieve into manageable goals.

    • Talk you through, where to begin; how to sort and group items; how many of each item you need; what to do with items that hold sentimental value and how to approach this so you’re not contributing to landfill, etc.

    • Work along side you to help you achieve your goals.

    • Assist you to undertake new thinking patterns around your belongings.

    • Aid you in focusing on the task at hand.

    • Help you move past potential roadblocks or setbacks.

    • Allow you to be a part of the process and learn as you go.

    • Create solutions and problem solves in areas you’re finding challenging.

    • Evaluate your individual organising style to create systems that work for you.

    • Encourage accountability and momentum.

    • Empower you to take charge of the decisions about your belongings without guilt.

    • Recommend and implements appropriate methods of disposing of excess clutter or recycling.

    Put simply, I am there with you every step of the way and making homes functional is my specialty.

  • Certified Professional Organiser with Clutterbug

    Professional membership with the Institute of Professional Organisers.

    Follow the IOPO Code of Practice at all times.

    Several years of personal experience working with friends and family to get organised in their homes.

    Orange Organising Co always keeps required insurances.

    Working with Children Check (referred to as Working with Vulnerable Persons Check in some states).

    Clear Police Record Check available upon request.

  • You can view the services on offer, including a price guide here.

    Included in services are:

    • Single consultations

    • Small Space consultations

    • Full Room consultations

    • Whole Home Projects

    • NDIS

    • Pre-Sale and Unpacking Services

    • Downsizing Service

  • “Oh gosh she’s going to see all my mess, this is going to be horrible!”

    That my friend, couldn’t be further from the truth. My style and my role are not to judge, every person has their own story, and my place is to help them achieve refreshed, functional spaces…not to get stuck into them.

    In-home consultations simply start with looking around your home and chatting:

    • What areas work or don’t work for you

    • Which area bothers you the most?

    • Which areas may be causing safety concerns?

    • Which areas create tension between people in the home?

    Next, we create a plan around which area we will start with. We may measure the space, chat about the storage options you’ve got or look at new ones if you’d prefer.

    Then comes the work!

    The hands-on process of sorting, decluttering, and organising will take you time and energy. I will be with you the whole time, gently challenge your thinking processes around your belongings. I come with many concepts and ideas refined through my years of experience with others in a similar situation to you.

    Do I intend to transform you into a minimalist overnight? Absolutely not!

    Do I want you to learn to carefully evaluate what you keep? Definitely.

    Let’s face it, you wouldn’t call me if you were 100% comfortable with the clutter, right?

  • Yes, you will need to be present and participate in the consultation. This is to discuss your vision for the space, make decisions around which items stay or go, and discuss how you use the space in your home so we can create the most functional organisation solutions to finalise the process. This is all part of the learning process so that you can apply these concepts successfully in the future.

    Where possible, it is helpful if you are hands on as this saves time and gives you a sense of satisfaction and achievement. Mobility or energy levels can vary and this is not an issue. I can be your hands while you discuss all of the above with me. Your pain levels and ability levels may vary day to day and I will simply meet you where you are at on the day.

  • No, never. My role is to help you identify which items hold value for you and why. If an item is significant to you then you may choose to honour it by either displaying it, or ensuring it is correctly stored to prevent any damage. By decluttering the less important items, you are creating space to display or store these significant items that are close to your heart.

  • Yes. Where there are good condition items to be donated or recycled, I can take up to one ute load per session to a local charity store or the Orange Recovery Centre.

    Items that are damaged, mouldy, out of date or otherwise need to be disposed of cannot be donated and attract a fee as per the Orange Recovery Centre fee schedule. This can be found here. If you wish for me to take these items I can do so, and the relevant fee will be passed onto you in your session invoice.

  • Yes. Unless you ask me to disclose information to another person or organisation, it stays private. I operate under the IOPO Code of Practice and everything you share is confidential. Details around privacy can also be found in my Terms and Conditions.

    In the event you, or someone else in the household is at risk of harm, I may need to alert relevant authorities. More information about this is available in the Terms and Conditions.

  • Absolutely! Orange Organising Co. is proud to work with both Plan Managed and Self Managed NDIS participants.

    Please contact me if you’d like to chat about how this works.

  • Yes, I can take progress photos of the spaces we’ve refreshed together.

    However, these are only shared should you wish to grant permission as part of my portfolio for prospective clients or social media. You are under no obligation to do so. If you do choose to share your progress, every effort will be made to de-identify your home and you will be able to approve photos for use before they are published.

    The reason I take photos, even if you choose not to share them, is so that you can see how much hard work you’ve put into your spaces and how far you’ve come. Before and after pictures can be given to you at the end of the project for your own reflection if you wish.

    You may also elect to not have any photos taken at all and this is absolutely ok.

  • Yes. Travel is charged for those outside of the Orange Local Government Area. Please send an enquiry to discuss relevant rates.

  • I always ask that you wait until we have decluttered prior to purchasing any storage or organising materials so that we can measure, have a clear view of the space and find materials that will help the space function well.

    Some clients prefer to work with what they have in the home already, others like to purchase these new, either option is ok. If you wish to purchase new items, I can assist in finding and recommend products that serve the intended purpose and fit within your budget. You will be responsible for the process of ordering, payment and taking delivery.

    Orange Organising Co does not sell products directly to clients.

  • I work with clients who understand their “stuff” is taking over and desire change within their spaces. It is not in anyone’s best interests for me to work with a person who does not recognise the need for change or who is being pressured to make these changes by another individual (this includes children, partners, and elderly relatives).

    At present, I can work within homes at levels I to III on the The Institute For Challenging Disorganisation Clutter-Hoarding Scale. This is a tool used to evaluate the level of clutter in a home and I will ask you questions to gain a picture of where your home may sit on this scale prior to booking you in.

    Hoarding Disorders require complex integrated assistance form multiple care providers. If I am unable to assist, I will refer you onto the most appropriate service within your area.

  • Waste is a large issue in our modern society. I can aide you in finding solutions for most items you wish to donate or recycle. Donations of household goods are well received by charity stores and gifted or sold on to those in need. Items that are not in good condition can be taken to the Orange Recovery Centre where people are often seeking furniture to up-cycle, kitchen items, electronics, etc. If an item cannot be used by another person then we look at whether it can be recycled, or as a last resort, it may need to be put into the bin. If you have items you wish to give to a friend or family member you will need to give this to them directly.

  • Yes! I do offer gift vouchers. Please contact me via the gift voucher page, and I will invoice you for this.

  • Every professional organising service is different so it is helpful to set some limitations around what Orange Organising Co can and cannot do for you. If you’re unsure, please ask, I am more than happy to discuss your needs in further detail.

    Orange Organising Co is not a cleaning service – I will wipe down surfaces before replacing belongings or do a quick vacuum of a closet floor before reinstating everything.

    Orange Organising Co does not remove general rubbish or household waste – I accept donations, recyclables or household items that need to be discarded only.

    Orange Organising Co can assist with packing or unpacking, however we do not provide the service of moving items from one home to another as this is not covered by our insurances. Your safety and that of your belongings during a move is subject to additional insurance requirements. We CAN pack with you, we CAN unpack and add decluttering to these processes. Decluttering prior to putting your home on the market can lead to increased prospect of sale or sale price. During the unpacking process it helps you settle into your new home more quickly, in a calm and functional space.

    Orange Organising Co is not a home styling or interior design service – I work with you to declutter and then find functional and aesthetically pleasing solutions for organising your home. This does not extend to home styling or interior design.

    Orange Organising Co will not declutter belongings that are not your own – I firmly believe in honouring the people I am servicing, and I will only provide services to consenting clients. This includes those who have moved out of your home (in the event of separation), any children living in your home or elderly family members who are living with you or in their own home. I strongly encourage a household discussion prior to engaging our services, or, simply beginning with only items that are yours. Chances are your family will see how wonderful the place feels and want their turn soon enough!