Owner, Melissa Bowers, Answers Your
Frequently Asked Questions
We do our best to answer the most common questions we receive. If you cannot find an answer to your question here, please contact us and we'll be more than happy to assist you.
What qualifications do you have?
Melissa Bowers, Owner
Owner, Melissa Bowers, has always had a natural talent for organizing and has found great enjoyment in helping others find organizational solutions to meet their needs. Melissa has also implemented functional organized systems at each of her jobs throughout the years to increase productivity and efficiency of those companies. Melissa has taken coursework in professional organizing from the Universal Class of Online Learning and is currently a member of Faithful Organizers. Additionally, working fifteen years in the medical field and six years in social services has helped Melissa realize that there may be contributing medical or emotional factors to what others mistakenly perceive as laziness. With this experience along with her personal life experiences, Melissa strives to compassionately help people with special physical or emotional needs or medical conditions contributing to chronic disorganization. Clients can have full confidence in knowing that Out of Sorts takes great pride in client satisfaction and strives to make sure that organizers and clients work together to meet all organizing goals and expectations.
What does an organizer do?
A professional organizer is a person who can help you organize the physical spaces in your life — a kitchen, an entire home, an office, or an entire business space. We take the holistic, therapeutic approach in understanding the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs associated with reducing and reorganizing clutter. We offer support during the decision-making process, work in partnership to facilitate actions around removal of unwanted belongings, and set up systems, from shelving to labels, that help clients establish (and maintain) order and clarity.
Maybe you need someone to help you sort through generations worth of family mementos — or maybe you need someone who will work with you to identify the root of why disorganization or lack of productivity is happening in the first place. Many of our clients need assistance with working through the psychological parts of organizational concerns. Professional organizers aren't just organizers, we function as productivity consultants and offer an entire spectrum of services to help people,
How much does it cost?
Out of Sorts offers up to a one hour in-home, office, or virtual consultation to assess the goals of each client for a one time fee of $60.00. Additionally, organizing appointments are booked in 4-hour sessions to allow for budget and scheduling flexibility. Pricing may vary based on the size of the project, but in general Out of Sorts charges an hourly rate beginning at $75/hr. due at time of service.
Rarely, it may be determined that a request is beyond the scope of Out of Sorts' professional expertise and Out of Sorts reserves the right to decline any project.
What payment methods are available?
Out of Sorts accepts Cash, Checks through online bill pay, and Money Orders. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept personal checks at this time unless they are issued directly from online bill pay through your bank. All payments are due at the time of service.
We also accept most major credit cards via PayPal, including Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, and more. You do not need a PayPal account to pay us through Paypal. Please note that there is a 3.5% service fee charged by PayPal to cover the cost of this secure and convenient payment service. This will be reflected in your total bill statement.
What is your cancellation policy?
In the event you are unable to keep your appointment, Out of Sorts will retain your non-refundable deposit as compensation. Our consultants make great efforts to arrive at all scheduled appointment times in a timely manner and to keep unnecessary wait times to a minimum. Out of Sorts understands that your time is just as valuable as ours.
Is my privacy protected?
Out of Sorts strives to protect the privacy of each client. Any information collected on the client will be held extremely confidential and be used solely for demographical and billing information needed to provide the best services possible. At no time will your information be discussed or shared with any other party outside of the Out of Sorts family without client consent.
How far are you willing to travel?
Out of Sorts is happy to meet our clients where they are located however, we consider our travel time to be billable time.
Our hourly fees begin after 15 minutes drive time beyond our home office in Springfield, Ohio 45501 and rounded to the nearest quarter of an hour. For example, if the client lives fifty (50) minutes away from Springfield, Ohio, thirty (30) minutes both directions will be charged at the current hourly rate.
What if I have animals?
Animals should be contained for the protection of the consultant. We know our clients love their animals as we love ours. However, to minimize liability, no exceptions will be made.
What do I have to do before you come?
You don't need to do anything before the consultation. It is best for the Out of Sorts consultant to see the client in their current environment. This is important for the consultant to know what systems need to be implemented to help prevent falling back into a pattern of disorganization. So, please do not feel ashamed or like you need to "clean up" before we arrive. We are not coming to judge your organizational skills. We understand you contacted us for a reason and we look forward to assisting you with your concerns.
Do I have to be present while you are organizing?
Because many people have an emotional attachment to their belongings, it is important for the client to be available. The Out of Sorts consultant will work closely with the client (and family if necessary) to determine which items should be kept. It is the goal of the consultant to encourage but not force the release of items that may be causing clutter.
Do you supply and install the product if I need organizing supplies? Do I have to buy anything?
The needs of each project are unique and will be assessed during the initial consultation. We work within each client’s budget to keep costs down. To do this, we will try to utilize what the client already has within the home. If supplies are needed for purchase, it will be discussed prior to purchase and client will be responsible for the cost of supplies. Simple installations will be provided if necessary. For bigger installations and on rare occasions, we may refer client to a third-party contractor.
What happens to the stuff I decide I no longer need?
It will be the client's responsibility to arrange pick up for anything being discarded as trash.
Your consultant can help you schedule a pick-up appointment from a charitable organization of your choice or with a signed consent waiving ownership of any item as personal property, Out of Sorts is happy to haul away items that can be recycled, refurbished, or donated at no additional cost to the client.