A. This varies for every client and every project. How long any given project takes depends on the scope of what you want accomplished, what "being organized" means to you, frequency and duration of sessions, how much "homework" you are able to do on your own, and how quickly you are able to make decisions when decluttering, filing, etc.

Q. Do I have to be there while you are organizing?

A. Generally speaking, it is important that the client be there during organizing sessions. Our process is very client-focused, and for that to best succeed, the client needs to be available to consult about decisions regarding their belongings. That said, it is also possible to do some or part of the work on our own (based on your needs, input, and guidelines), and then train you on the systems that Custom Living Solutions has created for your space. It depends on your needs/desires, your availability, and the scope and type of the project(s).

Q. Will everything be confidential?

A. Absolutely. Anything that comes up during our sessions will be kept with the utmost confidentiality. No details of your organizing projects will ever be disclosed without your express permission.

Q. I like watching the organizing shows on TV. Does the organizing process work how it's shown on TV?

A. Sort of. While the general elements of the organizing process are the same (assessing the situation, designing a solution, hands-on organizing, etc.), the timeframes, cost, and other considerations are very different. For instance, on TV, the support staff (handypersons, electricians, painters, etc.) are on standby, waiting to participate. In reality, those people are not on standby, so it may take several weeks to schedule those personnel. Also, the timeframes are very compressed - what may take weeks or months in real life is shown to occur in just a few hours or days on TV.

Q. Do you come in with a support staff or a team of organizers?

A. Generally speaking, no. If the need arises, we can call in support staff and other related professionals (handypersons, painters, more organizers, etc.).

Q. I need a custom cabinet installed, shelves hung, and a bookcase assembled. Can you do that?

A. While we can certainly help you design your custom cabinet and let you know what shelves you'll need and what to store on them, we don't handle installations or assembly. For that type of work, we would call in a handyperson or other professional who has skill in that area.

Q: Are you insured and/or bonded?

A: Custom Living Solutions is insured against damage to you and your property while we are working on your organizing project.

Q. What kind of background and/or training do you have?

Custom Living Solutions founder, Joshua Zerkel, CPO, obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in Industrial Design and his Master of Arts degree in Education, and went on to quickly reach the highest levels of achievement within his chosen field. The skills he gathered in various design positions provided a strong foundation for his organizational career, and today offer his clients an unparalleled level of expertise. Along with his extensive experience working as a Professional Organizer for a wide variety of satisfied clients, Joshua is also a member of and participates in ongoing training from the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) and the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization (NSGCD). Josh is also a Contributing Expert to The Organizing Network, a columnist for several newspapers and web sites, and teaches organizing classes at the Small Business Administration and other locations. Joshua personally trains each of the Custom Living Solutions team members to ensure that every client has a great experience working with us.

Q. Are you certified in any way?

Custom Living Solutions is proud to announce that we are certified through the Board of Certification of Professional Organizers (BCPO). The owner and founder of Custom Living Solutions, Joshua Zerkel, is one of the first professional organizers in the nation to become certified through this program. What this means is that BCPO has verified that we've completed a minimum of 1250 hours of Professional Organizing work, along with completing a minimum of 250 hours of related professional development, culminating with a comprehensive exam. Currently, this is the most rigorous certification program available in the Professional Organizing industry.

Q. What are your business hours?

A. We strive to work with your schedule and availability. We are available for sessions from 10am to 6pm, Monday through Saturday. We offer evening hours by appointment.

Q. Do you have any minimum hours that a session must last?

A. The shortest session we offer is a one hour hands-on organizing session. Beyond that, we can work for as long as you need, or as short as you like—it's up to you!

Q. Do you charge for driving time?

A. For clients in the San Francisco Bay Area: We charge only for driving time to clients outside the city of San Francisco. Round-trip driving time is calculated from central San Francisco to the site of the organizing session using time estimates from Google Maps, and is billed half the regular hourly rate.

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