Our Services
As a Professional Organizer in Toronto, Kathleen designs a maintainable plan to organize your files, edit out clutter, set up a system to keep you organized, and maximize your space. Clients are left with an organized space where they can work with reduced stress and increased efficiency. The results create an ideal work environment where you can be highly productive.
To get help now, call 647-710-1134 to schedule a free assessment. We are happy to sign a Confidentiality Agreement at any point.
OFFICE ORGANIZATION
- Sort through, reduce, and file papers (on desk, floor, in boxes, etc.)
- Help with purging and reorganizing electronic files
- Create efficient paper or electronic filing system tailored to your needs
- Establish or work with existing electronic file retention/tracking system (help colleagues share knowledge)
- Hang awards, certificates, designations, degrees, framed photos
- Audit furniture set up, and make adjustments for efficiency
- Set up efficient office space for a new business
- Scan business cards and set up contact management system
- Establish secure and accessible personal filing system
- Set up reminder emails (birthdays, read articles, gym, subscription renewals, etc.)
- Help comply with company’s “Clean Desk” policy
MOVING AND UNPACKING
- Packing up offices for a smooth transition
- Retiring
- Renovating
- Changing offices
- Switching office floors
- Moving to new building, etc.
- Prepping office space for new employee
- Merging offices/companies
ORGANIZING SYSTEMS
- Organize photos electronically (preserve corporate history)
- Deal with incoming email, projects, files, business cards
- Set up system to keep supplies, samples, and products organized
- Sort out how to artfully display and preserve collections and hobbies
IMPROVING OTHER SPACES IN THE OFFICE
- Declutter office supply room, storage room, or closet
- Track and store corporate art work
- Clean fridge, restock supplies, and make staff kitchen area welcoming
ORGANIZING ALTERNATIVE WORKSPACES
- If you frequently work on the road, or out of your vehicle, you’ll have different needs than an office worker
- How to deal with invoicing, filing, receipts, supplies, garbage, etc.
MAINTENANCE VISITS
- Review systems quarterly, every 6-months, or annually
- Provide Maintenance Visits (3-hour session to clear any papers, file, readjust or tweak system, get process back up and running, etc.)
OFFERING SEMINARS, WORKSHOPS, LUNCH-AND-LEARN SESSIONS
Whether it’s a Brown Bag lunch, Lunch N’ Learn, workshop, or a special Human Resources-initiated presentation, help educate employees on how to maximize their efficiency and productivity in the office, while tamping down their stress levels.
Suggested potential topics are:
- A Professional Organizer Puts Your Office In Order
- 5 Ways to Optimize Your Desk
- Tips & Tricks to Stay Organized and Remain Productive
- 7 Ways to Organize Your Workspace
- Reset Your Work Life: Be Organized & Productive
- 10 Tips for Smart Filing
- Your Personal Work Style: How to Use it for Optimal Office Setup
- How a Cluttered Office Holds You Back: Tips & Tricks to Fix It
- Why Organizing is Key to Peaceful Working Life
- How to Spring Clean Your Office
- Employee Satisfaction: Why Organizing is Key to Profitability
GIVING BACK
- We will organize a clothing drive in your office, with donations picked up by the Canadian Diabetes Association (a free service). The clothing is then sold to Value Village, where proceeds go to support charities in Toronto.
- If you know of a Toronto-based charity or non-profit that needs help organizing, please email us your suggestion.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is a Professional Organizer any different from just being very organized?
The Professional Organizations in Canada training program gives graduates the ability to assess your physical environment and find the root causes of disorganization. Based on that assessment, we use that intelligence and our expertise to formulate a plan. With your help, we execute the solutions needed to maximize the efficiency of your space.
What is the organizing process?
Once you are ready to get your office organized, call How It Stacks Up at 647-710-1134, and you’ll speak to Kathleen about your needs. She will visit your workspace to do a free one-hour assessment. Next, you will receive a cost estimate to do the job; it will outline the scope and timing of the work to be done. Once accepted, both parties sign a Letter of Agreement outlining expectations, and the work begins. How It Stacks Up is happy to sign a Confidentiality Agreement at any point in the process.
How much do you charge? What forms of payment do you accept?
Our rate is $70 an hour. Individual office organizations usually take between three to eight sessions, in 3- or 4-hour increments ($700-$1,700), plus any shopping, supplies, and sourcing fees. To have us come into your workspace and provide consultation only, our fee is $125 an hour. Written reports on how to do your own office organization, based on an in-person assessment at your workplace, are written at $100 an hour. When travel of more than an hour is required, a mileage fee will apply. We accept cheques, cash, and electronic transfers. Payment terms are within 30 business days.
Do I need to be there while you organize?
What works best is for organizers to work alongside clients, guiding them to make decisions on what to keep, what to place where, what to purge, file, etc. The organizer can work independently once some momentum has been built and decisions have been made. Then, it’s just a matter of implementing the organizing systems. There are times, however, where the organizer can work alone from the start.
What do I do to prepare for the on-site assessment? Should I clean up before you arrive?
Nothing is required on your part. In fact, we ask that you do not clean up so we can get a true, and accurate picture of your situation.
I’m embarrassed with my mess and don’t want my colleagues to know you're helping me. Can you pretend you’re a client?
Sure thing. We pride ourselves on discretion and protecting your privacy. To provide a comfortable working environment for clients, we approach jobs in a non-judgmental manner, and more important, have seen it all. It is our passion and pleasure to help.
I work with highly sensitive material. How do you keep confidentiality?
Discretion is key to our work. Your organizer is also more than happy to sign a Non-Disclosure or Confidentiality Agreement.
Do you need to go through every drawer? What happens if you find something personal?
We ask the client if there are any areas off limits. We respect our client’s space and know we are temporary guests who will get in, help you, and get out. Organizers expect to find personal items since the workplace is where clients spend a lot of their time. Know that we will use discretion in dealing with anything of a personal or confidential nature.
What happens if I have to cancel?
Our policy requires 48 hours’ notice to cancel a session. A cancellation within less than 48 hours will result in a $100 cancellation fee, payable within 15 business days.
What can I expect as the outcome the project?
How It Stacks Up tailors a maintainable plan to organize files, maximize space, and clear clutter. Clients learn new habits, reduce stress, and increase efficiency. Our job is to construct an ideal work environment where clients can thrive, thanks to a fresh start.