Letting someone into your home to help you declutter is a big step. For many of my clients, it’s the first time they’ve let anyone see the rooms they keep the door closed on. That takes courage, and it takes trust.

So who you trust with it really matters.

Over the last few years, professional organising has grown hugely in the UK. That’s a wonderful thing, because more people are getting the help they need. But it also means lots of new “organisers” are popping up, and not all of them are trained, experienced or insured. Some are cleaning businesses that have simply added decluttering to their list of services.

Before you book anyone, there’s one simple check I’d always recommend: make sure they’re a member of APDO.

What is APDO?

APDO is the Association of Professional Declutterers and Organisers. It’s the professional body for organisers in the UK, and I’m proud to be a member.

Here’s what it means when you book an APDO member like me:

  • We’re fully insured. APDO members must hold public liability and professional indemnity insurance that covers decluttering work. If something goes wrong in your home, you’re protected.
  • We’re a real, registered business. Members must be registered with HMRC, and APDO checks our insurance and registration before we’re listed in their directory.
  • We follow a Code of Ethics. We promise to keep everything about you and your home confidential, to be honest about our skills and experience, and to only take on work we’re properly equipped to do.
  • We keep learning. APDO offers ongoing training, specialist groups and regular meet ups, so members keep building their skills in areas like hoarding, ADHD, downsizing and moving house.
  • You have somewhere to turn. If you’re ever unhappy with an APDO member, there’s a formal complaints procedure. With an unaffiliated organiser, there’s no one to go to.

Here is the logo to look out for:

Your things, your decisions

This is the part I feel most strongly about.

I hear stories of organisers arriving and taking control: deciding for themselves what stays and what goes, filling bags without asking, and treating a home like a clearance job. To me, that simply isn’t decluttering.

I don’t know that the chipped mug was the last thing your mum gave you. I don’t know that the scruffy teddy got your son through his first night in hospital. I don’t know which birthday cards you’ve read a hundred times. Only you know what’s special and what holds meaning.

My job is to guide you, ask the right questions and help you make decisions that feel right. It’s never to make them for you. A good organiser works with you, at your pace, without judgement. You should finish a session feeling lighter and more in control, not like something has been taken from you.

There are some brilliant cleaners out there, and cleaning is a real skill. But decluttering is a different skill altogether. It’s as much about emotions, memories and decision making as it is about stuff.

Check the terms before you pay

Many professional organisers, including me, ask for payment upfront to secure your booking. That’s completely normal, and it means your dates are reserved just for you.

What matters is who you’re paying, and what protects you if plans change.

Sadly, I have heard from people who paid an organiser, then couldn’t get a date booked in. Messages went unanswered, and getting their money back became a real struggle. That’s the last thing anyone needs when they’ve finally found the courage to ask for help.

Before you pay, make sure the business has clear terms and conditions in writing. They should explain what you’re paying for, when your sessions will happen, and what happens if you or they need to cancel or rearrange. A trustworthy organiser will be happy to talk you through them, and you’ll be able to see their reviews and their APDO listing for peace of mind.

Before you book, check:

  1. Are they listed on the APDO website’s “Find an Organiser” directory? (Don’t just rely on a logo on their site.)
  2. Do they have insurance that covers decluttering and organising work?
  3. Will they let you make every decision about your belongings?
  4. Do they offer a free discovery call so you can get a feel for them first?
  5. Are their prices, booking terms and cancellation policy clear and in writing?
  6. Do they have genuine reviews and experience with homes like yours?

If the answer to any of these is no, it’s worth pausing before you book.

You deserve to feel safe

Decluttering can be emotional, and you deserve someone who treats your home, your belongings and your story with care and respect.

If you’re in Stockport, Manchester or the High Peak and you’re thinking about getting some help, I’d love to chat. My team and I offer a relaxed, no pressure discovery call where you can ask anything you like, including about our APDO membership. You can contact me here

Clutter isn’t a personal failing. It’s just something you haven’t had the right support with yet.

Georgina x

For the Love of Tidying, APDO member