Now that February has begun, I have to ask: how are you doing with your New Year’s resolutions? If you’re having trouble getting organized or being more productive at work, you should consider hiring a professional organizer or productivity consultant.

Hiring an organizing or productivity professional is a significant time and financial investment so here are three things to look for to help you make the right decision. (NOTE: I use the word organizer as an umbrella term covering both professional organizers and productivity consultants.)

Cost – What’s your budget?

The first thing most people want to know is how much it costs to hire a professional organizer or productivity consultant. Unfortunately, the answer is “it depends.” It depends on several factors: what part of the country you’re in, the organizer’s experience level and specialty, and perhaps most importantly, the size and type of project.

Rates for experienced organizers in the Houston area ranges from $50 to over $200. There are some organizers who charge by the project instead of hourly. If you find an organizer you like that is beyond your budget, see if they have a blog or YouTube channel where you can get general advice and ideas. Or contact the organizer and let them know your limitations. Many organizers offer DIY or virtual options for those whose budget may not allow for in-person organizing services.

Specialties – What kind of help do you need?

There are two primary types of organizers: Residential and Business. A lot of organizers do both, but some may choose to work in one area exclusively. In addition to residential and business, many organizing and productivity professionals have sub-specialties that they focus on.

For example, I’m a business organizer who specializes in technology and digital organization. There are numerous sub-specialties, everything from closets and garages, to team productivity and workplace operations. Any space or life stage you’re in, I can pretty much guarantee there is an organizer who specializes in it.

Fit – What kind of approach or style works best with you?

Fit is perhaps the most often overlooked criteria when hiring an organizer. Organizers not only have different specialties, but we all also have different styles and approaches to the process of helping you become more organized and productive. Talk to the organizer on the phone and get a sense of their personality. Organizer-client relationships depend on trust, so you want an organizer who “gets” you and understands your challenges. This is even more important if you’re dealing with specific challenges like ADHD and hoarding or you’re a creative, Type-B who has rejected all previous attempts to get organized.

If you decide to hire a professional organizer or productivity consultant, answering these questions will help you find the one who is best suited for you and who will help you achieve your goals.