Getting Organized

What do you need?

You have too much stuff and can't get a handle on it. You've tried weeding out closets, emptying jammed garages, donating books and clothes. You keep buying storage bins, but the clutter keeps on coming. Your war against chaos could be a lifelong struggle or a situational problem, prompted by moving into a smaller place or navigating a life crisis. You want to live with a sense of calm, not in a jumble.

Who can help?

The National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), a nonprofit educational organization, officially started in 1985 and has more than 4,200 members, a number that has doubled in the past three years thanks to reality TV home makeover shows, growth of the storage industry and magazines such as Real Simple. There are no special training requirements for joining NAPO, although the organization holds seminars and conferences to refine skills. There are also plenty of organizers not affiliated with a professional group.

What will they do?

An organizer's job is to help manage your time and space, at home or at work. Clients describe their goals, and the pros come up with systems (both boxes/bins and daily routines) to help. Some pitch in and impose order; others work side by side with clients, encouraging them toward a gradual winnowing of a lifetime of items. They also identify local charities, consignment shops or eBay drop-off centers that will take what you're clearing out.

"Our goal is to transfer skills -- that's our job," says Standolyn Robertson, current NAPO president and founder of Things in Place in Waltham, Mass. A NAPO Web site search using a D.C. Zip code turned up more than 150 members in this area.

What won't they do?

Organizers are not cleaners, and they are not tyrants: They won't come in and insist you throw everything out, and they will not be judgmental.

How much will it cost?

NAPO members usually charge $50 to $200 an hour, depending on experience and other factors. Some charge by the project.

How to find one?

To find local NAPO members, visit http://www.napo.net; also check classified ads in local papers, or the Yellow Pages.

Jura Koncius