becoming a declutterer

Decluttering is an exciting new service industry in the UK. If you're a natural at organisation and have been inspired by programmes like Life Laundry, House Doctor and the huge media interest in lifestyle issues, consider these important issues before joining apdo-uk.

working with clients | earning your living from decluttering | setting up your business | promoting your business

working with clients

Decluttering as a profession can bring untold satisfaction as you help a client achieve an organised home or office and regain control of their lives. However, before you plunge in and give up your day job, remember there's a lot more to being an organiser than "tidying up". Ask yourself the following questions:

• Do you have the sensitivity to deal with people's resistance to change? Decluttering can be highly charged for many people, and it's not uncommon to find clients who want everything to change whilst keeping everything the same!
• Could you offer support to people going through life-changes such as bereavement, divorce, the stress of moving home or setting up a home-office for someone who's always worked in a large office environment?
• Clients have the right to expect confidentiality and professionalism. You will have access to many personal details about their lives. It is good practice never to accept gifts of unwanted clutter from clients.
• Have a look at the articles written by members of apdo-uk for a bit of inside information.

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earning your living from decluttering

• Organising is a professional service and you can expect to charge in the region of £30-£60 an hour (regional markets will vary). Remember that, like everybody who is self-employed, you need to cover yourself for unpaid time - travel, sickness, holidays...
• The market is very new in the UK and it may be some time before you can make a full-time living. Can you supplement your income with part-time employment while you build your business?
• Most people in the industry work alone or in pairs so it will be difficult to be taken on as an employee.
• At present there is no formal training in the UK - so ask yourself: what special skills do you have to offer? Organisers have a range of experience and backgrounds, from being PAs to psychologists, from concierge work to life coaching to interior design. Your expertise may lead you to specialise in a particular area - for example, in organising office space or staging homes for the market.
• Are you physically fit? Decluttering can be hard work. Be clear exactly what you are prepared to do, and let the client know if there are any exclusions such as cleaning, heavy lifting, removing items from the premises.

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setting up your business

Get advice. There are so many things to consider: tax, national insurance, VAT, business name, and other matters.

• Start at BusinessLink for support, clear advice, developing a business plan and whether to set up a business or a company.
• Visit the National Business Register. Here you can check for availability of business and company names and the differences between the two, register your chosen name if it is available, and many other helpful facilities.We’d strongly recommend that you use a business name that is unique.
• Insurance is a difficult one at present, as insurers are not certain how to treat such a new industry. In simple terms, there are two types of insurance: public liability and professional indemnity.
  • Public liability - this protects you against causing injury or damage.
  • Professional indemnity - protection if somebody sues you over advice you've given, breach of copyright or confidentiality.
• In addition, we also recommend that members set out clear terms & conditions for clients.
• apdo-uk does not presently make specific recommendations about insurance or about terms & conditions; however, members have shared their experiences of these matters. Once you have joined apdo-uk, and as a result joined the Yahoo! group, you will have access to sample documents and contacts that members have been happy to share with their colleagues.
  

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promoting your business

Think carefully about how you will advertise and promote your service. You know you're offering a valuable service, but how do you let your potential clients know this?

• Your website is your most valuable tool - in a recent survey of apdo-uk members, by far the greatest source of client contact was through the internet. If the public can see your rates, see examples of your work and be reassured about your professionalism, they are more likely to make an enquiry.
• Don't forget local networking groups - start with BusinessLink (see above), and do make good use of existing business contacts.
• Try local press and radio. They are always looking for editiorial content; this only costs your time and works better than paid advertising.
• And of course, don't forget to join apdo-uk! With your listing in place on our website, you'll benefit from the reciprocal links of all our members, and from the extra visibility of Google AdWords.