Professional organizers may be very specific in the types of organizing they offer or they may be general and offer a wide array of organizing services. Some professional organizers work with specific populations such as seniors, children, students, home business offices, and the chronically disorganized.

Most specialize in one or more areas. Most organizers do not do cleaning or clerical work. If either of these is your primary need, you'll be better off hiring a cleaning service or a secretary.

Once you contact an organizer, he or she will do an initial consultation in person or over the phone to assess your needs and give you a time and money estimate for your project. Some organizers do this consultation for free, others charge. They will tell you up front. Depending upon project size, the organizer may provide you with a verbal or written plan for the project, and develop a schedule for project completion.

-- Tips courtesy of HomeAdvisor.com