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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Professional declutterer, any thoughts?

128 replies

Relocatiorelocation · 21/10/2022 20:47

I'm seriously considering becoming one...
Has anyone used one? Or would anyone like one but doesn't for whatever reason, what's stopping you? How much have / would you pay?
Any opinions welcome

OP posts:
Rubyupbeat · 22/10/2022 08:39

Relocatiorelocation · 21/10/2022 22:00

Wow, thanks for all the replies!

I'd happily do the charity shop runs, but not rubbish or recycling removal, the fees to be a licensed waste carrier are far too high locally to make the figures work.

I'm a mental health professional looking to diversify, but I couldn't really advertise that as I'd not be indemnified to provide any mental health support. But I'm generally kind and compassionate so hopefully people would find me easy to work with.

Would people pay maybe £40 or £50 an hour for the service?

You would be looking at much more ph than this, I just had a service come in for consultation and they charge 90 quid per hour. Researching in this area, there is quite a few decluttering services and the price range is 80 to 120 per hour.

Phrenologistsfinger · 22/10/2022 08:39

ElbowsandArses · 21/10/2022 21:14

Agree with @mynameiscalypso : would love someone to come and help but the bit I really struggle with is responsible disposal (recycling everything that can be).

This! I am pondering getting someone in to help as I have ADhD and find it very slow/hard to declutter.

There is a National Association of Declutterers OP - heard it on the podcast “Declutttering Hub”, which you might enjoy.

Caspianberg · 22/10/2022 08:46

I know someone who does this ( in Australia). She does the full package of sorting, clearing, buying new storage, labelling pantry etc.,

She isn’t cheap at all, it requires lots of time as she sources everything, consults with clients on what they need and want. She is fully booked and now hired several assistants as demand so high. People of definitely prepared to pay

mondaytosunday · 22/10/2022 09:28

Many of you are missing the point. @Magnanimouse it's not about getting a mate over - yea sounds like those really 'fun' painting parties of my early 20s!
It isn't just about going through your 100 pairs of shoes and getting rid of a few, it's organising your home to make your life function better. Finding solutions that can be kept up to keep things in check. And yes you really need to do it with the owner - I'm not having someone decide for me which of my dozens of scarves to keep. But her researching and coming up with practical solutions on how to store them is helpful.
The woman I use also sorts your paperwork and organises it in to a sensible system. She put all my old photos my mother gave me before she died on a memory stick, she sorted and labelled my tax/bank/health/cars/pets/kids/property paperwork and shredded anything sensitive.
She also has an eBay shop and splits the profit - it often pays for her services. She will take items that either don't sell after a time or not good enough to charity or local schools. She has sold things ranging from branded trainers to an artificial Christmas tree. She knows the market and how to present bundles of low cost items (Tu t shirts etc). She has a mannequin and a dedicated room for photography.
And as I previously said she works with the council and hoarders too - and they will pay quite a bit for the service. She has a degree in psychology which helps with this, though does not represent herself as being any sort of therapist. This kind of work is extremely challenging and you have to have a strong stomach as well as a thick skin (she puts up with a bit of verbal abuse here).
You also need to have a lot of energy. While the owner sits in a chair, you are the one carrying things, running up and down stairs, moving boxes and bags, carrying things down from the loft. She even helped me hang some paintings that had spent six months leaning against the wall.
I think her service has been invaluable. I have much less stuff, my surfaces are clear, I can see my clothes which are hung up neatly, my Christmas decorations are stored carefully in well labelled boxes, my kids schoolwork/childhood keepsakes are in a special box, my high value but unwanted items have been auctioned, my paperwork is all in folders in a filing cabinet. Keeping the system up can be a challenge so she comes back for the occasional session (and as I said we are tackling a storage unit).
I first got her in after listening to Radio 4 on death cleaning. My mother was meticulous and going through her things was a joy of memories rather than a drudge of sorting junk. I don't want my kids to resent having to deal with things after I go. I want it organised and easy for them. I'm not naturally tidy, and can ignore a growing pile of mail/magazines/fliers/bills all too easily. Not anymore.

SnooozyTree · 22/10/2022 09:52

Yes, would def pay someone for this. Help with organising and systems for keeping a nice home. My biggest problem is clothes - DH and I do not have a good system and it causes stress.

And secondly the things that come with having kids - books, toys, lego, extra backpacks (which are used regularly), roller skates, soccer gear. All things we need in a house with three kids, but struggle to store well.

Oh and sorting kids clothes as they grow out of them. Hate it with a passion.

Relocatiorelocation · 22/10/2022 10:16

@Helloautumn22 I have messaged you, thanks for the offer

I would definitely not want to do lofts or sheds, I have a spider phobia, and I'm also not great with mice or rats. I'll have to be clear with that on any advertising I guess "very organised, but complete wuss"

OP posts:
CocoPlum · 22/10/2022 10:31

I had someone come in and do my bedroom as a case study for her decluttering/organising course (which was run by a now well known influencer/declutterer!). We got rid of a LOT and it was really helpful to have someone impartial. She then reorganised everything.

That was in July and my room is still as beautiful as she left it because the systems she set up work. I would love to have her back for other rooms but her rate is upwards of £250 for a day - I had it done for free. She would be worth the money but it would definitely be a luxury spend.

ItsFlippingBoiling · 22/10/2022 10:45

I am effectively self employed.
You need to remember that you either have 5 chargeable days and end up working 6 plus days a week or 4 chargeable days to only work 5
People dont expect to pay for quotes/ a scoping visit and so that has to be built into the daily costings
People expect almost 24 hour access, particularly I would imagine the vulnerable people that you are working with
People cancel- what would you do then? Payment at time of booking? Write it off and rebook?
The paperwork is massive, pensions, invoicing and VAT etc. You probably need to pay for an online system to manage that - approx £300 a year
You need to allow for pensions contributions, sick pay and annual leave
You will need a very good indemnity insurance - again £300 a year maybe

hownowpurplecow · 22/10/2022 10:48

I’d use one! My house is cluttered because it’s small, we’ve got small children, I work full time & my husband is a hoarder, not because I enjoy living surrounded by clutter! Not sure how much I’d pay, you could pretty much name your price if you’d come in and take away all the shit DH has piled up in the kitchen cupboards.

CandyLeBonBon · 22/10/2022 10:50

I'd pay you!

Rinoachicken · 22/10/2022 10:51

I am cluttered and I hate it. The reason I’m not able to do it myself is purely down to time.

I don’t see how having someone else in to do it for me would help - how would they know what to get rid of and what to keep? What might be significant to me? So if I’d be there doing it with them, we’ll then I’m perfectly capable of doing it myself I just don’t have the time.

I don’t need someone to de-clutter for me. I need someone to take care of my two kids with additional needs for a day so I can do it myself.

So not getting done anytime soon! 🤣

beachcitygirl · 22/10/2022 11:18

@mondaytosunday

Are you me ? 🤣
Your person sounds a treasure. Where is she based? I'm in scotland. 🙏🏻 at OP id hire you in a heartbeat.

beachcitygirl · 22/10/2022 11:21

@Rinoachicken I see what you're saying and I would previously have thought that but after watching the home edit & nosying online & realising my own life is a riot as busy.

Professional organisers know that no one needs 3 ladles & 5 pizza cutters, endless shitey stained Tupperware with no lids, ripped tights that teenagers throw in washing rather than deal with etc

Someone who would deal with that could name their price 🤣

Valentine259 · 22/10/2022 12:24

I have just started helping someone clear their house. They have moved twice without ever really throwing much out, so it's going to be a long process as I don't think I've ever seen this amount of stuff for a family of four. I go to hers for 2 hours a week with an empty car boot and she fills it with whatever she wants to get rid of. I take recycling which is not kerbside and stuff which goes either on a local free site or charity, but nothing that she wants to sell as she will do that. So far its working well and I find it strangely therapeutic. It is quite mentally tiring and I could see a problem if someone was taking a lot of things and not being able to get rid of it, creating a backlog and having to store other people's unwanted items! I'm certainly not a professional and am doing research for when we get to the organisation stage, but at this rate, that could be a while away!

Fizbosshoes · 22/10/2022 12:34

I'm in the midst the 2nd house clear out of a deceased relative in 2 years. Both were hoarders to a degree. It's overwhelming....need to unclutter their house, and can't see how they can live like that...then end up transporting loads of the crap to my own house! The first one was during lockdown with limited options to dispose of stuff, but today I'm planning lots of charity shop trips (only books and unused items if anyone's worried I'm going to dump loads of rubbish there!!) and a trip to the pharmacy to dispose of unused meds.

ChaToilLeam · 22/10/2022 12:36

If it’s just a matter of not knowing where to start or having difficulty getting going, then why not pay a professional? I did this for my parents, they just needed some help with actually seeing what they had and deciding what to keep. I got rid of the unwanted items immediately, binned if broke and donated if in good nick. That was crucial as it stopped them second guessing themselves and delving back into the bags and boxes.

EmeraldShamrock1 · 22/10/2022 12:53

I'm in the midst the 2nd house clear out of a deceased relative in 2 years. Both were hoarders to a degree. It's overwhelming...

I agree.

It's almost selfish knowing that someone else will sort it without considering the emotional impact on those left behind.

I felt so guilty dumping my parents (mainly mums hoard).

The time expense and emotions are really tough.

Growing up in a cluttered house is awful when there is no where comfortable to relax or invite friends over.

It's confusing to children when they visit a friends house, it makes them feel dirty as a result of their parents love for collecting shit and not tidying up.

Cleaning your space is an essential life skill especially when bringing up children.

Helloautumn22 · 22/10/2022 13:26

Relocatiorelocation · 22/10/2022 10:16

@Helloautumn22 I have messaged you, thanks for the offer

I would definitely not want to do lofts or sheds, I have a spider phobia, and I'm also not great with mice or rats. I'll have to be clear with that on any advertising I guess "very organised, but complete wuss"

Funny you should say this! I don’t do lofts or sheds either 😂 it’s not caused me any issues. I’ve just sent you a message.

Fizbosshoes · 22/10/2022 13:45

@Relocatiorelocation @Helloautumn22

I found the most monstrous spider in a conservatory where my dad had conveniently been storing my old school books....because obvs I was looking for those after 25 years!! 🤣I had to just leave the box (and spider) in the middle of the room and move on to the next room

Caspianberg · 22/10/2022 14:22

Most organisers know that sorting a whole house is a huge job. Your better off getting someone ( or yourself), to break it down and just sort toy storage/ paper work system/ entrance way first. One area at a time

Hugasauras · 22/10/2022 14:30

I have a friend who quit her job to do this! She's been pretty successful. She helps a lot of older people who are struggling under the weight (metaphorical and physical) of their belongings and always seems v busy.

ZeldaWillTellYourFortune · 22/10/2022 15:13

I have been employing one off and on for the past six months. She charges 130 for four hours but I give her 150.

It's been helpful. My main problem is that I have a small cottage that over the last 15 years has become the repository for items from deceased relatives, making it grubby and overstuffed.

Working alongside her makes it easier to discard (donate, recycle, etc) -- she says things like "You can remember your gran without hanging on to her aprons..."

I have Freecycled or donated a number of small furniture items, bags of clothing/textiles, and identified several car loads of broken/dated items to be recycled. It is a relief and has spurred me on. Am enjoying my home a bit more.

Taking pictures helps me part with things. As does telling her the story behind certain items before they go off to their fate; it's sort of therapeutic. She understands this and encourages it (unlike friends and relatives, who get exasperated.)

Like others, I wish she would add to her services the ability to actually carry things off -- I still am stuck with getting discards to their new homes or responsibly disposing of.

If you decide to offer such services, another thing she includes at no extra charge is setting up 'homework' before she leaves -- storage bins to sort, etc., and texting me several times in the following week or two "set 20 minutes aside to go through Bin B and send me a photo with the results." Sometimes this is annoying but it does prod me to make progress.

She also, at her own behest, cleans. She asks for a broom, etc. and always sweeps and dusts the areas she is working in, even the garage. It helps.

She sets a timer on her smartphone when she arrives to ensure that the client gets their full allotment of time; if we digress into chitchat she stops the timer (which I don't think is necessary, but she is scrupulous about providing full value for the money.)

She markets herself on Facebook with non-outing before/after pictures taken at client's home. I once saw her promotional post with a horribly messy garage on it ("before") and thought "whoa, people who are even more slovenly than me!" before I realized it WAS mine. LOL.

She tells me that the husbands of her clients almost always pooh-pooh and protest about "spending money on a thing like that..." and that it's the wives (or solo women) who are hiring her as a birthday or other gift to themselves, or as part of self-care and sanity-saving.

She's even coordinated packing for a multi-prong move where some items go into storage, some go to temp accommodation and some go to the permanent home -- color coded, etc., and was there to supervise removal men. And she's only been in business a year or two but is getting plenty of referrals via word of mouth.

My only quibble is that sometimes she tries to be TOO directive -- "You have 200 magazines here; pick 20 and the rest are going into recycling." No, magazines are important to me. And she has "systems" that she likes to stick to; I feel that last weeks' 150 quid was rather wasted because she embroiled herself in shuffling items that didn't really need it and overlooked the two tasks I really wanted done that day (sorting old electronics and a cache of photos/frames/etc that needed to be organized and put together.) I was bouncing between WFH and working with her and she didn't really listen too well to what I stated when she arrived. Next time I will write out what I want.

Per the above, there is a difference between wanting someone to take over, and just wanting an extra pair of hands. I want about 70% extra hands and 30% her ideas/input/listening but other clients just show her to their office, playroom, garage or whatnot and say "Fix this" and walk away. So you need to be clear on what you are offering vs what the client expects.

Providing a list of places to donate, recycle, etc. would save the client time and research, if you can't remove things as part of your service. Or have a partner, even a teen, who will swoop in and do a pickup of all discards, and disperse appropriately, after you leave.

Hope this helps.

ZeldaWillTellYourFortune · 22/10/2022 15:14

omg no idea what happened to the font on my post above, mega apologies!

Rockbird · 22/10/2022 15:17

I'd love this but I wouldn't want to be around when you did it. I have ASD and far too many possessions, most of which I never use. I'm a hoarder and I hate it. I'd give you a list of things not to get rid of (photos, tech etc) and then bugger off for the duration. I dream of this.

ZeldaWillTellYourFortune · 22/10/2022 17:57

I'm not a hoarder but far too sentimentally attached to mundane items that trigger memories.

but I have to admit that once things are gone, even if they nearly had to be wrested from my hands, I am relieved. Just a few minutes ago pitched some of my mom's old handbags (not good enough to donate) even my sister texted me "they are trash! bin them!" and it was hard but now they are outside in the wheelie I feel at peace. It's the moment of parting that is difficult.

Again, having an album of digital photos of these "sentimental" items is nearly as good as the real thing and far easier than tripping over them or having the contents of the closet fall down on you.

My big problem is "aspirational clutter" -- the loft and garage are stuffed with "raw materials" for craft projects, DIY, artistic, etc. or "research" for that novel I'm going to write someday. None of the above probably ever will get done, especially if my free time is spent shuffling through the belongings of deceased people.

I have been getting rid of a lot of the art/craft/DIY stuff on Freecycle and binning my years worth of notes for possible stories and novels. at my age I need to accept that I am a reader, not a writer. Same with garden tools and supplies; I had far too many for my small plot of land -- been Freecycling those too.

One thing that is spurring me on lately: I have no children and who the hell is going to clear out this stuff if I unexpectedly kick off? My sister is in ill health and my cousins would be disgusted at the excess and the grubbiness. As I get older and the possibility of stroke, heart attack etc. rises, I feel more motivated to avoid such post-mortem humiliation. I don't want people to remember me for the musty boxes of sewing fabric or pile of half-filled notebooks or half-filled tins of paint in the garage.

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