How to Hire a Moving Organizer

Let’s face it: Moving is stressful. Studies have shown that it’s even more stressful than divorce. Even if you have a support system to help you move your stuff in exchange for pizza, packing still takes hours, if not days. Something usually gets lost or broken during the move, and that’s before you even consider how long it will take to unpack.

To ease the stress of moving, consider hiring a professional moving organizer to help you through the process. Let’s take a look at how this type of moving professional makes your life easier before, during, and after the move. 

What Is a Moving Organizer?

A moving organizer is a type of professional organizer who specializes in moving. Make no mistake, they’re not your average mover who only takes boxes from point A to point B. Moving organizers facilitate the whole process from the very start (the packing, organizing, and decluttering stage) to the very end (the unpacking and reorganizing stage). 

How Much Does Hiring a Moving Organizer Cost?

The price of hiring a moving organizer depends on the size of your home, the number of rooms to organize, and the amount of stuff you have to sort through. You can expect to pay anywhere from $80 to $140 per hour. The bigger the job, the higher the cost. Some companies charge by the hour, while others charge by the project. For example, you might pay a $350 flat rate to sort out your garage but more than $1,000 to downsize your whole house.

What Does the Moving Process Look Like With a Professional Organizer?

Most professional moving organizers start with a consultation that includes a project evaluation and a cost estimate. During the consultation, you’ll discuss the scope of the job, including how many rooms you need organized, exactly what role your organizer will play in your move, and how long it will take. If you agree to the terms, you’ll set dates for the project. 

From there, your organizer will:

• Go through your personal belongings and help you decide what to pack 

• Get rid of the items you decide to toss (through recycling, selling, donations, or the dump)

• Pack up your home and facilitate moving the boxes

• Unpack and organize your new home

How Can a Professional Organizer Help With My Move?

A moving organizer will take the lead during your move, leaving no box unpacked and no item behind. Here are some of the benefits of working with a moving organizer:

They’ll Reduce Your Moving Weight 

It costs homeowners an average of $1,400 to hire movers, but that’s only if you’re moving within the same state. If you’re moving to a different state, it can cost as much as $10,000. If you’re moving to a different country, it can cost even more.

Many moving companies charge by weight, so the heavier the boxes, the higher the cost. A professional organizer can help you decide what to keep and what to toss, effectively reducing your moving weight. As Marie Kondo says, if it doesn’t bring you joy, ditch it.

They’ll Get Rid of Your Junk

Most people pare down their belongings when they move. While it may be an ideal time to get new furniture and upgrade your appliances, the old stuff has to go somewhere. 

A professional organizer can help you sell the items that you don’t want, schedule donation pick-ups, and dispose of recyclables and large items like furniture.

They’ll Organize Your Boxes 

There’s no worse feeling than searching through your moving boxes to find a beloved keepsake, only to discover that it shattered during the move. Moving organizers prevent these kinds of mishaps by doing the following:

• Providing packing boxes, tape, bubble wrap, and other packing materials

• Ensuring that fragile items are secure

• Putting clothes in wardrobe boxes so they stay wrinkle-free

• Providing you with an itemized list (or a spreadsheet) of the contents inside each box

Their job is to ensure that nothing gets broken or lost during the course of the move. In other words, stop worrying about your crystal wine glasses and start enjoying the wine.

They’ll Help You Unpack 

Maybe you’re the kind of person who loves unpacking, but most people tend to put it off. Unfortunately, you’ll probably still need to handle your regular responsibilities on top of unpacking your belongings. Professional moving organizers will help you unpack so you don’t have to sit around eating takeout until you find time to unpack your dishware.

They’ll Organize Your Space

A new house is like a blank canvas, and a professional moving organizer can help make that canvas as organized as possible. They’ll help you organize your space in a way that actually improves your home. Random junk drawer? You don’t know her.

Is Hiring a Moving Organizer Worth It?

Hiring a local home organizer might seem like an added expense in an already pricey moving process, and it certainly isn’t necessary for everyone. However, benefits include making your move quicker, easier, and possibly cheaper. 

Efficiency

Moving is more efficient with a set of trained eyes overseeing everything. Professional organizers know what items are worth keeping and how to pack them. This also makes unpacking more manageable when you move into your new house since your belongings will be neatly organized instead of haphazardly stuffed into random boxes.  

Stress Reduction

Moving is stressful for many people, from ironing out all the details to dealing with change. Having an expert around—someone who coordinates logistics and sets a plan in motion— eliminates a lot of stress.

Price 

Professional organizers help clients consolidate their belongings and maximize packing space, which saves money when hiring movers or paying for shipping containers. Of course, hiring a moving organizer comes at a cost, too. Their average rate is $80 to $140 per hour or a flat fee of $350 and up, so you might want to tackle moving solo if you’re on a tight budget.