How much does a professional organizer cost?
How much does a professional organizer cost?
$50 – $150 average cost per hour
$150 – $2,000 average project cost
Average cost to hire a professional organizer
Hiring a professional organizer costs $50 to $150 per hour on average. Professional organizer packages are priced at $150 to $2,000 for most small- to medium-sized projects. The cost of a professional organizer depends on the project location, size, scope, the organizer's experience, and whether they offer specialized expertise.
| Organizer fees | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Hourly rate | $50 – $150 per hour* |
| Package rate (small to medium-sized project) |
$150 – $2,000 per project |
*Minimum fees apply
Most organizers charge a 3- to 5-hour minimum fee for their services.
Why hire a professional organizer?
While DIY organizing seems cost-effective, a professional organizer can save you time and frustration by helping you:
Create customized systems to suit your lifestyle
Overcome emotional blocks preventing organization
Identify the best storage solutions for your home
Sort and purge items efficiently with an objective eye
Learn new habits to keep things organized
Consider hiring a professional organizing service when you move into a new living space. These pros can help you not only unpack but create efficient, easy-to-maintain organizational and storage systems to keep your new space clutter- and stress-free.
How much does a professional organizer charge per hour?
Most professional organizers charge $50 to $150 per hour, depending on their location, experience level, and specialization. You may find lower rates from less experienced organizers looking to build their portfolios. Highly rated pros and those offering specialty services often charge more.
| Experience level / service level | Average hourly rate |
|---|---|
| New organizers with limited experience | $25 – $45 |
| Experienced, certified professional organizer | $50 – $150 |
| Hoarding cleanout and organization services | $150 – $300+ |
Consider hiring an organizer with less experience if the help you need is relatively straightforward and you just lack the time to do it all yourself. Hire a seasoned professional for major decluttering jobs or when you're looking for someone to help you completely overhaul your current organizational system.
Professional organizer package prices
For larger or more complex organizing projects, many professional organizers offer preset packages at a flat rate. The exact price depends on the number, size, and condition of the rooms, how many items need sorting through, and what level of organization the package includes. Large projects often involve 2+ organizers.
| Package type | Average price |
|---|---|
| Small projects 1 room (bedroom, playroom, or small office) |
$150 – $500+ |
| Medium-size projects 2 – 3 rooms or more extensive room organizing (kitchen, basement) |
$1,000 – $2,000 |
| Large projects Whole home organizing or hoarding services |
$2,000 – $5,000 |
| Extra-large projects Extreme hoarding and remediation packages |
$3,000 – 15,000 |
Professional organizer cost by project type
Professional organizers take on various projects in homes and offices, with costs varying based on the size of the space and the specific services provided. The table below details common organizer services and pricing:
| Service type | Price Range | Typically includes |
|---|---|---|
| Closet organization | $150 – $300 (organizing only) $1,000 – $8,000 (custom organizer system installation) |
Organizing, optimizing closet layouts, storage, lighting, and more |
| Office organization | $150 – $1,000+ | Decluttering workspaces, paper management, time management training |
| Garage organization | $1,000 – $2,500+ | Decluttering, labeling systems, custom storage installations |
| Home staging | $1,500 – $4,000 | Preparing a home for sale using organizing and styling to highlight the property |
| Hoarding services | $2,000 – $15,000 | Empathetic decluttering, cleaning, counseling for hoarding disorders |
Closet organizer
Hiring a professional to help organize your closet without any structural modifications averages $150 to $300. A custom-designed closet organizer system costs $1,000 to $8,000 installed. The organizer listens to your needs, takes measurements, and designs an optimal layout for your closet space and storage requirements.
Garage organization
Professional garage organization averages $1,000 to $2,500+ and typically involves sorting, decluttering, labeling, and sometimes installing custom storage systems. As with all professional organization services, the project cost depends on the size and contents of the space.
Alternatively, the cost to finish a garage completely is $3,000 to $17,000 for labor and materials to add drywall and install new flooring, plus additional fees for a custom cabinet and storage systems.
Home staging
Staging a house costs $1,500 to $4,000 on average to create a welcoming atmosphere to attract potential buyers. Pricing depends on your home size, condition, and local real estate market. Hiring a professional to organize your own furniture typically costs less than staging an empty house, which requires renting furniture.
Professional organizer price factors
Several key factors affect the price a professional organizer charges, including:
Size & condition – Larger homes with multiple rooms or jobs involving heavily cluttered spaces take longer and cost more than smaller or tidier spaces. However, professionals may reduce their hourly rate for projects requiring several hours or days to complete.
Type of items – Categorizing delicate heirlooms takes more time and care than organizing clothes or kids’ toys.
Location – You may pay extra for travel fees if you live in an area far from the closest professional organizer.
Minimums – Most professional organizers charge a 3- to 5-hour minimum fee for smaller jobs.
Experience level – Seasoned organizers and those in high demand charge higher rates than those just starting to build their business.
Assessment fee – Many organizers offer free consultations and estimates, but some charge a consultation fee. Pros will often deduct the consultation fee if you hire them for the job.
Virtual vs. in-person – Some professionals offer virtual assistance via video calls or emails with pictures to create a custom organization plan for you to handle DIY. These virtual services sometimes cost less than in-person assistance, though it varies depending on the professional.
Supplies – Depending on your space and goals, a professional organizer may recommend containers or other storage solutions to better manage your items after decluttering. Most professionals do not include supply costs in their fees.
Extras – Special services like custom built-ins, lighting installations, and painting add to the total cost. For example, installing built-in shelves costs $300 to $850 per linear foot.
Disposal fees – Organization projects that involve decluttering a large number of items may involve extra disposal costs.
Renting a dumpster costs $280 to $500 per week
Junk removal service costs $150 to $350 per load of 30 to 50 square feet.
Cleanup – After the space is decluttered and organized, house cleaning prices range from $25 to $75 per hour or $120 to $280 total on average.
Donate as many decluttered items as possible to reduce your disposal costs.
Professional organizer FAQs
What does a professional organizer do?
A professional organizer helps people or businesses declutter and organize their spaces, aiming to reduce stress, improve productivity, and create functional and harmonious environments. They develop custom organizational systems based on your needs and goals and give guidance on reducing clutter and managing time efficiently.
Is hiring a professional organizer worth the cost?
Yes, hiring a professional organizer is well worth the cost if clutter and disorganization are causing you stress or consuming your time. A professional organizer can provide solutions to help you on an immediate level as well as education to help you manage your space more efficiently going forward.
Do professional organizers need a degree?
No, professional organizers do not need a degree, but many have certifications and credentials from organizations like the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals (NAPO) and the Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD).
Do you tip professional organizers?
Tipping a professional organizer isn't typically expected, but most professionals appreciate being recognized for exceptional service. If your organizer works for a larger company rather than independently, check to see if the company has a tipping policy.
Getting estimates from professional organizers
Prices vary significantly for professional organizing services depending on your unique needs. Follow these guidelines when searching for a professional organizer near you:
Define your goals, problem areas, and preferred timeline ahead of time so pros can provide accurate quotes.
Search organizer directories for local specialists from the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals and the Institute for Challenging Disorganization.
Seek organizers specializing in the area that suits your needs:
Look at professional organizer profiles and reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Schedule initial consultations and get rates from at least 3 experienced organizers within your budget range.
Ask for before and after photos of similar organization projects they've completed.
Ask detailed questions to understand exactly which services are covered and not covered in any flat-rate package.
Verify they will create a customized plan for your home and lifestyle.
Questions to ask a professional organizer
When interviewing professional organizers, ask these questions to ensure you choose one that is a good fit for your needs and goals:
How long have you worked in the organizing industry?
What is your specialization, and what certifications do you have?
Do you belong to any professional associations?
Do you have a business license and insurance? What type of liability insurance do you carry?
What is your process for designing customized organizing systems?
How involved can I be in the decluttering and organizing process?
Can you share photos of past organizing projects similar to mine?
Do you offer a free consultation and estimate?
Do you charge by the hour or a flat rate for specific services?
What specific organizing services are included and excluded in your rates?
Do you offer follow-up visits or support after the appointment?
What is your cancellation policy?
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.