Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What makes New Leaf an eco-friendly business?

A: We practice the green doctrine of Reduce Reuse Recycle in our daily lives, and we love to share our know-how. We’ll help you implement these principles in your own home. We can help you get off mailing lists and reduce the amount of junk mail that turns up in your mailbox. We’ll take your donation items to Goodwill and NextStep, putting them back into circulation. We’ll even take your used batteries and CFLs for safe disposal, or give you a list of local businesses that will dispose of them in a responsible manner. We can also show you how to clean with eco-friendly materials such as vinegar, baking soda and essential oils, for a fresh, healthy and chemical-free home environment.

Q: Will my privacy and confidentiality be protected?

A: Absolutely! New Leaf respects your privacy and does not share your information with any third parties, guaranteed. All information is considered strictly confidential.

Q: Can you estimate how long my project will take?

A: So many factors go into the length of time any project will take –how many interruptions will occur, how many boxes of paperwork are hidden in the back of that closet and how closely they need to be examined, whether you ate breakfast that morning or how many projects piled up since your initial consultation—that it’s impossible to provide an accurate timeframe. Most clients report progress was much speedier than they’d imagined!

Q: How should I prepare for our organizing session?

A: First of all, think about how you would like the space to function. Do you want a warm gathering place for family and friends? An efficient home office where you can pay bills and find important documents with ease? An area dedicated to creative activities, such as scrapbooking or jewelry-making? A quiet, meditative spot for relaxing? Then take the time to envision the space. It might even help to jot down a few notes, to remind yourself of your goals when you’re physically working on the project, and later, as you strive to maintain your organizational success.

Q: Should I buy storage containers or organizing systems ahead of time?

A: No. No, really: no! Oftentimes these items are part of the clutter—we might unearth some during our session. If, at the end of our project, you find that you do have some storage needs, you can measure the space and its contents for maximum efficiency. Don’t worry, The Container Store isn’t going anywhere!

Q: Do I need to be present at the organizing session?

A: Oh my, yes! We function as a unit: New Leaf will ask questions and provide guidance, while you are the ultimate decision-maker. You are an indispensable member of Team Organization!

Q: What happens to my donations? Will I get a receipt for tax purposes?

A: All donations are taken to Goodwill and/or NextStep, and may be tax-deductible. Upon request, we’ll send your receipt in the mail or bring it to your next organizing session.

Q: How should I pay?

A: Payment is made by cash or check at the end of each session. Returned checks or overdue payments are subject to a $25 administrative fee.

Q: What is your cancellation policy?

A: We require 48 hours notice of cancellation. Within 48 hours of your appointment, cancellations will result in a $50 penalty. If you are not present at your home within 15 minutes of your scheduled appointment, this is considered a cancellation.  We reserve the right to decline service at any time if we feel you are not sufficiently committed to your project (which multiple cancellations can lead us to believe).

Q: Why the strict policy?

A: We put lots of time into your project! From the time in your consultation to the time spent researching and preparing for your project, including administrative work, we are busy working on providing you with our best service. When you schedule a session with us, we set aside the entire day for you, and last-minute cancellations can leave us twiddling our thumbs.

Q: Can you come back for maintenance visits?

A: Absolutely! We’re always happy to schedule follow-up visits for fine-tuning or accountability.