Decluttering, Estate & Moving Sales & Organizing Services

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. Ask a lot of questions. Make sure you are comfortable with the person who will perform the major tasks that you have in mind. Make a list of questions that you would like answered before they arrive. Make sure the quote includes all the fees, that there are no hidden costs. The first visit should be "no charge". Also; that they are really "in business" and have not just hung up a sign to see if this is something that they think they can and want to do.

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. That cheaper is not necessarily better. Do others bid low just to get the job? In some cases yes! Do they have references or testimonials? Are they reliable, meaning trustworthy? Can do the job (do what they say they are going to do) or walk their talk. Having a presence on the internet, have a significant amount of experience, finding someone with a professional degree would certainly help me feel more comfortable.

Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?

A. This is a very important question. What do you want to have accomplished?

If it’s De-Clutter & Organizing:
How large is the area? Is it a garage, shed, closet, kitchen, entire house, etc.?
What is the time constraint? Do we have days, weeks or the month?
What is your budget? This is important so that we can work the areas that are most important.
If it’s an Estate, Moving, Downsizing or Garage sale:
What time frame do we have? Do we have days, weeks or a month or more?
What type of items? Are their Furniture & Household items; Antiques, Collectables, Vintage, Clothing, Odd & Ends, basic household items, etc.
Do you want an auctioneer on Saturday for the larger or collectable furniture items?

If it’s a Move-In/Out
What is the time frame for this to be accomplished? Time constraints usually require a premium.
What is the Square Footage? This really makes a big difference when you are asking for a quote.
Is this a new, remodeled or existing property? The process for each of these is very different with some overlapping similarities.
What type of flooring? Carpet, tile or wood, etc.
Do all appliances need to be cleaned in and out? This affects the quote big time.
How many bathrooms? They take a long time to get them cleaned correctly.
How many floors? Stairs are always a challenge and the second floor is sometimes very small and more even more challenging.
Were their pets? Pet hair has its own challenges as many people are very allergic especially to cat hair.
Is there furniture or boxes on the property or in any of the rooms? This will also have other challenges.
How many windows? How tall are they?
Any Special Requirements?

If it’s Cleaning:
How Often? Weekly, Bi-Weekly or every three weeks or monthly or just once? This makes a real difference.
What is the Square Footage?
How many bathrooms?
How many people live their? Of these how many are children?
How many floors?
How many animals?
How many ceiling fans?
What type of flooring? Carpet, tile or wood, etc.
Do you want the inside of appliances cleaned?
Any special requirements?

Deep Seasonal Cleaning: This happens four times a year and is bid on the above cleaning questions. Due to only four times per year it takes lomger to clean so there is a premium is added.

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. I have experience and I care about what my clients want to accomplish and try my very best to bring that into reality. I am a good listener and try to always go the extra mile. I am degreed from, the University of Texas at Dallas in Sociology - cum laude. My background is in Manufacturing Operations, Restaurants, Retail (Managed 7 Stores) and Hi-Tech Recruitment. I have been around the block a few times and I enjoy helping people. So; helping people to gain or keep their respect and dignity, while accomplishing their goals and helping them solve their problems is what ClutterBlasters is all about. The real key to my business is the business of helping people in many different ways. It is definately a "people business".

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. I enjoy helping people accomplish their goals and helping them achieve what they envision by bring that vision into reality. Sometimes tough decisions need to be made. Helping people is what ClutterBlasters is all about. Most of my clients are wonderful people who have a situation that is sometimes just too much for them at that time. I can help them through that. Sometimes it's just gaining back the dignity that they once had, I can help with that. I really enjoy the opportunity to help make someone's wants and desires to become a reality because I enjoy what I do. So, I'm just a call away from helping you . . .

Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A. How long will it take? I usually have to answer something like: It depends on what it is that needs to be done, the physical layout, location, time constraint, etc. and the client's budget. These main factors and many more need to be taken in consideration. I like to see the situation myself so I offer my first visit (one hour) Free. I will tell you that I go the extra mile to make the client get to where they want to be.

Q. Do you have a favorite story from your work?

A. I had a client who lived in a home for 50 years. This person had three generations of stuff accumulated and stacked so neatly in every room that for most people it would have been overwhelming. The home had become a storage facility. It was like three homes under one roof. As we started to de-clutter and organize the stuff in the house the items seemed to grow. As with most projects the home gets even more disorganized before it gets better. We also found a significant amount of money, almost $6,000 tucked in books, cards and between papers. I am able to envision the outcome before we even start. I listen to the clients needs, desires and wants and then we begin. In this case we ended up selling most of the belongings and the client moved to the new desired location. It was a very successful De-Cluttering, Organizing and Estate/Moving Sale.

Q. What do you wish customers knew about you or your profession?

A. I am able to envision the outcome. What the client wants to accomplish becomes a reality even though sometimes it may even seem impossible to both of us at the time. Yet, it gets completed and the client is happy. My experience in the corporate world (manufacturing & operations, retail management, consulting and recruitment) has helped me be more accurate and plan a more realistic outcome that we follow to accomplish their objectives.

Q. How did you decide to get in your line of work?

A. I enjoy helping people and seeing what they want to accomplish become a reality. All the services that ClutterBlasters offers I see as a process which has been with me since a young age. My talents were certainly required during my corporate days, Manufacturing/Operations, Retail, Consulting and Recruitment. It has made the tasks that ClutterBlasters needs to preform much easier to preform and accomplish. I also seem to have a knack for these types of services. I have helped people with all of these services that ClutterBlasters currently offers over my entire lifetime even during my non-working hours. I enjoy the work and I enjoy helping people accomplish their desires. So I started ClutterBlasters just for you!

Q. What are your most common types of jobs?

A. De-Cluttering and Organizing services are my number one. Next comes; Estate, Moving, Downsizing and Garage Sales. This leads to Cleaning and Seasonal Deep Cleaning. And finally Move In - Move Out Services. I find that by performing any one of these services they are all intertwined. So I see all of these services relating to one another. ClutterBlasters is a Full Service company which helps people stay focused on what makes them productive.

Q. Tell us about a recent job you did that you are particularly proud of.

A. A Moving Garage Sale which was a rather logistics challenge. It includes a two story home, with a double garage along with a shed and two storage facilities. We managed t consolidate all of the physical locations and ended up having a very successful three day sale.

Another was an Estate Sale which we only had just over one week to accomplish the task. Along with only a few helpers we managed to get everything finished, sorted, staged, priced, advertised on time and ended up having a wonderful three day sale which included selling a car.

Q. Do you do any sort of continuing education to stay up on the latest developments in your field?

A. Yes, I visit many of my clients to make sure that they are still able to maintain the systems that were set-up. I read many stories and articles, watch Hoarders; try to understand collectors, and packrats. I also have extensive experience with people who have ADD and ADHD along with suffering from depression. I work with other professionals like Lawyers and Doctors. All the education that I can get only helps me understand more quickly how to help my clients in a more effective and efficient way. I also tour homes, talk with designers and builders. I present to professional organizations and church groups to help people understand that they are not alone and how to better help and understand a loved one.

Q. What are the latest developments in your field? Are there any exciting things coming in the next few years or decade that will change your line of business?

A. There are many interesting and exciting changes that exist today. I find that many of my clients are the middle and working class or the elderly who are about to downsize. Many families have had loved ones who have passed and the family is left to deal with the estate. I try to satisfy my clients and listen to their wants, needs and desires. Yes, changes are always either real positive or negative. My job is to make it as painless and comfortable as possible. I like my clients and help them through many overwhelming and difficult circumstances.

Q. Describe your most recent project, what it involved, how much it cost, and how long it took.

A. Most of my projects are very different with many overlapping solutions and circumstances. However, the most recent involved cleaning out a double garage and a large enclosed patio room. We are talking about 35 years of stuff. The owner engaged a large dumpster and we filled it. We tugged, and looked over all the stuff in three days. It was estimated correctly right up to the last hour. The homeowner was so pleased and very grateful

Q. If you have a complicated pricing system for your service, please give all the details here.

A. My pricing system is very straight forward. I do like to talk with my clients first and then I visit them at their location (free) for 1 hour. I try and help the client (if they have a budget) which most do. This is required in order to accomplish what they desire. I do charge in four (4) hour increments. I charge for prep when associated with a sale. I then charge a percentage during a sale.

Q. If you were advising someone who wanted to get into your profession, what would you suggest?

A. Having experience in retail, pricing, cleaning, staging, operations, research, process, puzzles, along with good common sense is essential. You must understand human behavior and really like helping people through sometimes some very tuff situations. You must be able to thrive on doing a good job in some very challenging surroundings. I do not think that many people really understand what needs to happen and what takes place in helping others in these time-constraints, budget-constraint challenging circumstances. Even the normal cleaning can be a challenge. You might end up having to clean an area or areas that really bothers you - then what . . . So, make sure you like all the drudger that goes along with these services.

Q. Write your own question and answer it.

A. Why am I doing this work instead of working for a corporation?
I enjoy helping people and solving problems along with making what seems; the impossible happen. I am very good at what I do (I seem to be using my gifts) and my clients think so to . . . just read my testimonials. If you are reading this Contact me, Donna at ClutterBlasters when you need some good reliable help.

Q. Write your own question and answer it.

A. Do you enjoy shopping, bargain hunting, or going to garage sales? If you answer yes; I say great! You enjoy the process of finding great deals and nice things. However, what do your closets; cabinets, rooms, garage and overall house look like? If they are full of stuff, dis-organized and in need of cleaning then you definitely need to call ClutterBlasters. And; if you have sheds in your yard and if you are currently paying for storage units every month then it is really time to face the reality that your stuff is out of control. Well the day has come to de-clutter and organize your life, to sell all your unwanted, unused, (new or used) items that have become a liability. Allow ClutterBlasters to help you take control; we will help you de-clutter, organize, clean, sort, stage price and sell your items. During this entire process you will make more than enough $$’s to pay for our services; and get your home, life and stuff in order once again. Give us a call; it is the first step in taking charge of your life once again. Call ClutterBlasters today – you will be glad you did.