Decluttering professionals near you

When looking for a professional decluttering service, make sure you: 

• Verify their license and insurance: Some states require pros to have a general business license. While formal training isn't required, certain companies offer professional home organizer certification. It’s also important to hire an insured company to protect your home and belongings from accidental damage. Requirements depend on your local area so be sure to do your research.

• Get several estimates: The pro will ask you specific questions when preparing a quote. Is this a one-time task or an ongoing project? What is your time frame for completing the work? Do you need help with general clutter, organizing a specific room or preparing to move to a new home?

• Read their reviews: Check online reviews and social media sites like Google, Yelp, Trustpilot, Thumbtack and Facebook. A detailed consultation process, no pressure to sign a contract and positive reviews are all good signs.

• Look at their portfolios: Check pros’ websites for descriptions of their services and look through before-and-after photos of past projects to get a general overview of their work.

• Find out about their guarantee policy: If you aren't 100% satisfied, many pro organizers will return to make slight adjustments within 48 to 72 hours.

• Ask plenty of questions: Find out what’s included in the pros’ services. For example, will they supply storage bins? How long might the project take? Do they have experience with homes/rooms that are similar to yours? Can they handle item removal, like trash or old furniture?

For more tips, visit Thumbtack's Smart Hiring page. 

The national average cost of decluttering services ranges from around $220 to $610,* according to Thumbtack data. This cost estimate reflects how much home organizers typically charge for their services, which includes removing unwanted items, organizing your space, etc.

There are several factors that might impact the cost of this project, including:

• Scope of project: What is the total space and number of rooms that need to be organized? How many items require removal?

• Travel: How far does the decluttering pro have to travel to come to your home?

• Supplies: Will the pro need to buy storage bins, shelving or file cabinets to help you organize your remaining items?

• Additional services: Do you need the pro to help you manage your important papers or create a storage system in your home? These services might increase the cost.

You might be able to save money on your decluttering project with these tips:

• DIY some of the work: For example, you can start throwing out junk mail, old magazines and other unneeded paperwork.

• Gather existing storage supplies: Hold onto your old cardboard boxes, plastic bins and other storage materials.

• Look for discounts: Shop local to find deals on plastic bins, closet organizers and storage baskets. You can also ask your pro if they offer any discounts for their decluttering services.

*Data on file at Thumbtack. For a personalized cost estimate, request a quote from a professional.

Some of the biggest benefits of decluttering your home include:

• Financial gain: You can potentially sell lightly used furniture and home decor items online or at a garage sale. 

• Improved well-being: Well-organized, clutter-free homes can help reduce stress and anxiety while increasing focus and productivity.

• Potential tax benefits: Check the IRS website to see if donating your items to a nonprofit charity organization will count as a tax deduction.

• Extra space: Reclaim previously cluttered areas to create an inviting space. For example, remove clutter from your basement or attic to convert it into a living space. Decluttering a guest room that’s filled with old junk may get you closer to your dream home office. 

In most cases, a professional will take the following steps when decluttering your home:

• Initial consultation: The pro will usually begin by assessing your space and discussing your needs with you.

• Step-by-step decluttering plan: The organizer will create a decluttering plan customized to your needs — and may even help you decide which items to keep, sell, donate or throw out. 

• Room-by-room decluttering: Most services will tackle one space at a time — including offices, closets, garages, kitchen cupboards and pantries, playrooms and more — according to your agreement. 

• Storage solutions: Pros will help you implement a storage system for the items you're keeping to maximize space.

• Final room organization: After decluttering, the pro will help ensure each space is well-organized.

• Maintenance tips: During the final walkthrough, the pro will typically suggest tips and tricks for maintaining your newly decluttered home. 

It can take anywhere from a few hours to several days to declutter your home. It ultimately depends on:

• Your home’s size: A large house could take days, while a small condo may take a few hours.

• Amount of clutter: If many of the rooms in your home are severely cluttered, it will take more time to finish this project.

• Your schedule: For this project, you should aim to be home while the professional is identifying items to remove. If you’re available for only a few days out of the week — or only short periods of time — the project may be delayed. 

• Your willingness to part with your items: If you have sentimental attachment to many items, it may be harder — or take longer — to get rid of things you don’t truly need. 

Remember: The timeline for your project will vary depending on many factors. Always ask your decluttering services pro to provide an estimate. 

Consider hiring a professional to declutter your home if: 

• You don’t have the supplies needed for this project. You’ll likely need to invest in plenty of trash bags, trash cans, cardboard boxes or plastic bins, packing tape and other storage and organizing systems. You might also need a large vehicle or truck to remove big and heavy items. In many cases, a pro will already have all the supplies needed to declutter your home, though you should always confirm this before hiring.

• The process is causing you stress: If your clutter makes you feel overwhelmed, it might be best to hire a professional. Their assistance may help relieve some stress.

• You’re not experienced with organization: Organizing and creating the best storage solution for your space isn’t always easy. Professionals offer expert organization strategies and fast results.

• You have a hard time letting go of items: A pro can provide emotional support when sorting through sentimental items you’re torn about removing. These pros are experts at helping you focus on what to do with each item — keep, donate, sell, throw out or store for later.

Yes, you can hire a professional home organizer to help you get your house in order. 

On averages, hiring a professional home organizer costs $117, with most customers paying $75-$150. Prices can range from $50-$540 on the low-to-high end. 

Many factors can drive prices up or down. Reach out to organizers near you and request a quote for a more accurate, personalized cost estimate.

Organizers charge anywhere from $30-$130 per hour for their services. Most clients pay an average of $50-$60 an hour.

Some professional organizers may offer cleaning services, including move-out cleaning and deep cleaning. Before you hire an organizer, ask them to provide a full list of their services, along with the price for each offering.