Do you think there's any mileage in a decluttering business?

[whoknewthat]

Mainly because I'd like one so think there must be a gap in the market.

So not a cleaner, but someone who comes and actually SORTS your house for you.

The only flaw I can see us that you don't get repeat business like cleaning (weekly etc)

I wouldn't like someone else going through my stuff. How would a stranger know if something had emotional value or such?

I work for my a charity which helps people who need to move home because of a disability.Some of our clients would definitely benefit hugely from a de cluttering service but in my experience often lack the motivation to be proactive.

If you could offer the service through other agencies- for example estate agents who want sellers to show their properties to best advantage or sheltered housing providers/ residential care providers who have older clients who need to downsize-that

might be a better business model than being commissioned directly by individuals.
If you are in Scotland my organisation would definitely consider using/ recommending you.

In theory I'd love someone to come and declutter for me. The problem is, surely I'd have to sit with them and tell them if it was things I need/want to keep, so doesn't that defeat the whole purpose of someone doing it for me? Otherwise, how would you know that the tacky bit of cheap costume jewellery with stones missing from it (which looks like junk) is the present my (now) dh bought me for our first Christmas as a couple, when he had just been made redundant and had no money, but was determined to get me something? It's things like this which I'd be terrified of you getting rid of!

I think you would get loads of people saying what a brilliant idea it is, but just not convinced it would work in practice. Good luck with it though if you decide to go ahead with it.

People do do this as a job. I've used a couple of different ones but they have always been childless, single ladies with flats in inner London somewhere.
What I need is someone to work alongside me for a couple of hours a week, give me some 'homework' over the week, and then come back to help me again and again until it's all done. And it would be great if people understood how little time I have, and how much stuff kids have!
The trouble is, everyone wants a quick fix, but you really need to take it slowly and get systems in place so when you are finally decluttered, you can easily stay that way.

Sorry, meant to say that I would really benefit from someone to make me get on with it, and someone who would take away the stuff afterwards!

Yes, I want on too! I also want someone to go through all my bills (Internet, sky, elec, gas etc) and get me the best deals! Esentially I need a p.a. for my home :)

Professional organiser? There are programmes on SKY about them :)

Lurking with interest as I was thinking along these lines too. I would envisage it as working with the client to make the decluttering decisions, providing the motivation for them to get on with things they need to do for themselves as well as suggesting practical solutions for storage and organisation to stop the clutter from reappearing.
What do you think people would be willing to pay?

Proper hoarders or just those with a bit of clutter?

Hoarders - if you are going to do this you need to really read up on why people hoard and truely understand it. You need to be an incredibly patient person. Try watching some of the 'Hoarding' programmes on TV.

If you mean just go in to help people who have a bit too much clutter and no time to sort it out/organise themselves then that's a different thing altogether.

People already do it so there must be. You'd have to work with the people, clearly.
If you offered to sell on stuff at commission and put in some woo stuff about cleansing your life force, I reckon it'd work.

I would think only the latter in ChippingIn's post is realistic. Unless you're a heavy duty psychotherapist.

Anyway I'm like FiveHoursSleep. Mainly I don't sort the stuff out because it's hugely boring, depressing and lonely.

And there are a million better uses of my time.

Mind you, maybe we could start a co-decluttering network. My house first, though.

Thanks for the replies. Yes, was thinking more of sorting and helping hand, rather than tackling full on hoarders .

I understand people's sensitivities around personal items, but toys, kitchen cupboards, under stairs etc should be fairly neutral - maybe with suggestions for organising paper work etc, or going through it together.

There are specific qualities needed to properly help real hoarders de-hoard, dig out of, and clean up real squalor, and I suspect de-clutterers often come up against many of the same issues, just in better cleaner surroundings, with less ?unusual? items, and fewer of them.

But you don?t need to be a heavy duty psychotherapist, just have knowledge, an understanding of what causes it, different ?types?, the relationships people have with objects/animals/?landscapes?, strategies, patience, be non-judgemental, and be able to cope with cleaning and clearing very unsavoury things, without nightmares.

There are lots of professional declutterers, you can find the best one?s who are registered with a code of conduct, here: www.apdo-uk.co.uk/declutterers.php and some de hoarders, but often the people in most desperate need of the latter have no money and are in desperate situations.

Do some declutterers take stuff away and sell it for you? That would be a service worth having. It would help you part with stuff if you thought it could be sold, even if only for a titchy amount.

Just getting, I have booked from that firm you linked to, so thanks. I am embarised having to open up all the stuff I have shoved in cupboards, it needs doing though!

Hello,

I am thinking about setting up a professional organiser/declutterer business. Is there anyone who does something similar? I thinking of branching out into going into businesses who need help with organisation, perhaps filing, backlogs, office moves etc. Then down here in Cornwall there's a large market of holiday rentals and second homes, so was thinking I could offer a concierge type service for these too (like sorting out the bills, cleaning the house before they stay for the weekend, organising a gardener whatever).

Is there any mileage?
I can think of lots of other ways to branch out too.... like helping new mums find a routine, meal plan, ways to organise their family or helping people find the best gas supplier.... or what pushchair fits with their lifestyle.

What do you all think?
Thank you :-)

hereincornwall there is a market for everything. I think you need to hone in on who your target market is and do a bit of research on competitors.

If holiday lets are big in Cornwall focus on that market and what they need -- and figure out how you will tell them about your service. I'm sure you will have a booming business.

Helping mums figure out what pushchair to buy -- not as much of a need methinks.

hereincornwall

As a poster mentioned in march this year, there is an organization called apdo-uk.co.uk , the professional body for declutterers. It is a body that I joined when I set up my decluttering business in Kent in April this year. You will be able to join and then send an email via yahoo so you will get loads of advise and recommendations about how to go about things from lots of us . Good luck