FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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About Streamlined by Steven
What does your company do?
Streamlined by Steven offers a wide range of organizing services, freeing you (or your child, or parent) to focus more on what you love.
Services include, but are not limited to:
Services include, but are not limited to:
- Organizing physical spaces, including homes, offices, and individual rooms
- Creating user-friendly systems for papers, bills, and schedules
- Managing personal technology, including email inboxes, computer files, and music
- Structuring projects—from school assignments to job searches—and preventing procrastination
- Teaching skills for staying organized
WHO IS STEVEN?
Steven Cohen is the founder of Streamlined by Steven and the company's principal organizing consultant. A Washington, D.C., native, Steven holds a B.A. in History from the University of Chicago and a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Maryland School of Social Work.
Steven is a lifelong learner whose wide-ranging career history and experience enable him to connect with the company’s diverse clientele. Among other roles, he has served as a:
Steven is a lifelong learner whose wide-ranging career history and experience enable him to connect with the company’s diverse clientele. Among other roles, he has served as a:
- Business analyst for an international management consulting firm (McKinsey & Company)
- Counselor for families and youth in Title I public schools
- Teaching assistant and guest lecturer for an undergraduate biology course
- Paralegal in the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division
WHAT GEOGRAPHIC AREAS DO YOU SERVE?
Streamlined by Steven is a Washington, D.C.-based business, serving clients throughout D.C., Maryland, and remotely. I consider other in-person work on a case-by-case basis; please get in touch for more information.
I am available to clients worldwide via phone and videoconference, including FaceTime, Google, Skype, and Zoom, among other programs. If you wish, I can incorporate screen-sharing services to provide remote tech support, at no extra charge.
I am available to clients worldwide via phone and videoconference, including FaceTime, Google, Skype, and Zoom, among other programs. If you wish, I can incorporate screen-sharing services to provide remote tech support, at no extra charge.
WHY START A PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZING COMPANY?
My interest in organizing stretches back to childhood, when I could be found helping friends get organized for the upcoming elementary school year (!).
Professional organizing combines many of my passions:
I want my services to be workable for a wide range of budgets and can discuss sliding scale options with you.
Professional organizing combines many of my passions:
- Helping others
- Making life more convenient, so we can focus on the people and experiences we love
- Conveying my deep interest in and respect for other people
- Honoring history, both individual and global
I want my services to be workable for a wide range of budgets and can discuss sliding scale options with you.
Will yOU WORK WITH my child or teen?
Yes, I enjoy and have experience working with youth in multiple contexts! I can help organize:
Please be aware:
- homework
- toys
- playroom storage
- shared rooms
- school paperwork
- the various "stuff" that accompanies kids and can overwhelm parents!
Please be aware:
- A parent or guardian must be present during organizing sessions with youth.
- While I have a Master's degree in social work, I am not providing therapy. I am not a substitute for your child's clinicians. My organizing assistance is not a treatment for ADHD, anxiety, or any other condition.
- Your child must have received all vaccines for which he or she is age-eligible (including COVID-19), because I cannot risk my own or other clients' health. I do not require printed proof of vaccination, but will request your verbal affirmation that yes, your child is vaccinated. If your child has a medical condition that prevents them from receiving vaccines, please let me know so that we can discuss steps to keep everyone safe.
- I believe that all children deserve the benefits of organization skills, regardless of their families’ finances. I offer sliding scale discounts when needed; please contact me to discuss further.
What steps are you taking in response to COVID-19 (coronavirus)?
ARE YOU Fully VACCINATED against covid-19?
Yes, I (Steven) am fully vaccinated, with proof of vaccination that I am happy to show you.
DO You take additional steps to ensure my safety?
Yes: your safety is my top priority. You can count on me to:
- Arrive masked and remain masked throughout our session
- Wash or sanitize my hands before, during, and after our session
- Accommodate any requests that would make you feel more comfortable: e.g., staying 6 feet away at all times
- Answer any questions you have about my safety practices
DO I NEED TO BE VACCINATED IN ORDER TO WORK WITH YOU?
I strongly prefer to work with vaccinated clients and I appreciate proof of vaccination.
I recognize that some clients have children who are too young to be vaccinated and that children may be present during our sessions. I am happy to discuss with you how I can meet your organizing needs while keeping you, your child, and me safe.
I recognize that some clients have children who are too young to be vaccinated and that children may be present during our sessions. I am happy to discuss with you how I can meet your organizing needs while keeping you, your child, and me safe.
Do you offer sliding scale fees, given the financial impact of the pandemic?
I have always offered sliding scale fees, both prior to the pandemic and now: I value my diverse clientele, including economic diversity.
I recognize that the pandemic has posed particular challenges for many people's finances, and will do everything possible to accommodate your budget.
I recognize that the pandemic has posed particular challenges for many people's finances, and will do everything possible to accommodate your budget.
I have another covid-19/pandemic question that I didn't see listed here...?
I am happy to talk with you at no charge! Please contact me to discuss further.
Why choose Streamlined by Steven?
Value
I provide effective, customized, sensitive service. You can read rave reviews of my work on Yelp and Google Business. I can also connect you with happy customers who have volunteered to be references.
I want as many people as possible to experience the benefits of streamlined living, so I price my services to be affordable for a wider range of budgets. I offer additional sliding scale discounts in cases of financial need.
For comparison's sake: In the metropolitan DC area, professional organizing services can easily run to $140/hour or more. Other companies often include a time minimum, which means you pay for a set number of hours, even if the work takes less time!
By contrast, I charge one hourly rate: $80 per hour, with no minimum number of hours.
I want as many people as possible to experience the benefits of streamlined living, so I price my services to be affordable for a wider range of budgets. I offer additional sliding scale discounts in cases of financial need.
For comparison's sake: In the metropolitan DC area, professional organizing services can easily run to $140/hour or more. Other companies often include a time minimum, which means you pay for a set number of hours, even if the work takes less time!
By contrast, I charge one hourly rate: $80 per hour, with no minimum number of hours.
- You book however many hours you want on a given day.
- Payment is accepted at the end of that day's session, by cash, check, or app.
- Clear cancellation policy: If you cancel with less than 48 hours notice, I charge $160: two hours of organizing time.
PricE transparency
I charge one hourly rate: $80 per hour, with additional sliding scale discounts in cases of financial need.
I am upfront about clients' financial responsibilities:
I have zero hidden fees:
I am upfront about clients' financial responsibilities:
- If you cancel with less than 48 hours notice, I charge $160, two hours worth of work.
- I bring basic work tools for each session, including tape measure, notepad, masking tape, and permanent markers. Additional supplies that will remain onsite, like files or hangers, are yours to supply or purchase.
- I can research and purchase items for you at your expense, and have them delivered to the address of your choice.
- I can coordinate additional businesses--a cleaning company, secure shredding--whose separate billing will be your responsibility.
- My research, purchasing, and coordination services are billed at the same hourly rate: $80 per hour. These services are subject to an advance written agreement with you: I will never order products or arrange for other businesses' involvement without your specific, signed permission.
I have zero hidden fees:
- No minimum session commitment: I don't require you to commit to four or eight or 20 sessions. If you want one session, I can do one session!
- No mysterious price quotes: I don't issue a "project quote" that might run overtime and over-cost. I charge based on hours booked.
- No consultation fee: I offer a free phone consult and a free in-person consult at the site you'd like to organize!
- No transport fee: I don't charge for time in transit or mileage to your site.
- No commissions: Proud to be conflict-of-interest-free! I don't recommend particular products order to get commission fees.
I don't get "kickbacks" from any closet design, rental storage, or other business. I have no incentive to get you to go shopping--so if I recommend a product, you can feel confident that my recommendation is unbiased. - No caginess around pricing or pricing bias: I don't delay offering a price until after we've seen your space, or charge more based on what it seems you can pay.
MY full attention
I listen carefully and closely, and you will have my full, responsive attention. My phone will be off--though yours can certainly be on, if you wish!--and I will have cleared my schedule specifically for you.
I care about your organizing goals. My work with you is effective only insofar as it functions well for your unique life--which is why I ask for your feedback throughout... and then respond by putting your feedback into action!
I prioritize creating a comfortable working partnership, so you feel at ease saying whatever's on your mind.
"It looks nice, but I'd never actually use it," or "I'm concerned that I won't be able to maintain that system": your candid feedback is always encouraged! I don't get offended and am happy to come up with alternatives.
I care about your organizing goals. My work with you is effective only insofar as it functions well for your unique life--which is why I ask for your feedback throughout... and then respond by putting your feedback into action!
I prioritize creating a comfortable working partnership, so you feel at ease saying whatever's on your mind.
"It looks nice, but I'd never actually use it," or "I'm concerned that I won't be able to maintain that system": your candid feedback is always encouraged! I don't get offended and am happy to come up with alternatives.
Sensitive responses to individual needs
I care about your individual needs, whether related to time, money, health, or other situations.
Please let me know: I value your business and am honored to have you as a client. All inquiries are private, and I will do my best to serve you!
I enjoy and value interacting with clients of different backgrounds and identities. I:
- In a hurry?
- Have a limited budget?
- Have health concerns that might affect our work together?
- Feeling hesitant for another reason?
Please let me know: I value your business and am honored to have you as a client. All inquiries are private, and I will do my best to serve you!
I enjoy and value interacting with clients of different backgrounds and identities. I:
- Offer sliding scale discounts in cases of financial need
- Bring the same high quality of service to projects of varying sizes, scopes, and budgets
- Am LGBTQ+ friendly
- Collaborate with interpreters and speakers of other languages
- ... and more!
How does the process work?
How involved can i be?
As involved as you like! I welcome your active participation.
We’ll discuss your organizing goals, and use that information to structure our work. Depending on the nature of your project, you can choose to:
We’ll discuss your organizing goals, and use that information to structure our work. Depending on the nature of your project, you can choose to:
- Work side-by-side with me
- Complete some components by yourself and delegate others to me
- Hire me to do research and issue recommendations, and then send you my findings
- Do some components via videoconference and other components in person
- Another arrangement that you'd prefer
WHAT IS THE FREE PHONE CONSULT?
We'll talk by phone about what you're envisioning and how I can help you meet your needs. This call generally lasts about 20 minutes, although there is no charge if the call goes longer! All inquiries are confidential.
Here are some questions that I usually address during this initial conversation:
Here are some questions that I usually address during this initial conversation:
- What spaces (e.g., home office, garage, storage, attic) or systems (e.g., email, calendar, financial) are you looking to address?
- What do you wish were different about them?
- What are your organizing goals or desired outcomes?
- How involved would you like to be?
- Are other family members, housemates, or pets involved?
- Are there financial, time, or other constraints I should be aware of?
WHAT IS THE FREE IN-PERSON CONSULT?
I will come to your site (home, office, or other) and look closely at the spaces or systems you've identified. I will then offer detailed verbal suggestions, in person, for multiple ways to meet your organizing goals. You will have abundant opportunities to ask any questions that occur to you.
The free in-person consult does not require any further commitment on your part. At the end of the consult, you can choose whether to book additional sessions. If you need additional time to think it over before booking, that's okay, too. All sessions are confidential.
The free in-person consult does not require any further commitment on your part. At the end of the consult, you can choose whether to book additional sessions. If you need additional time to think it over before booking, that's okay, too. All sessions are confidential.
WHAT ARE SUBSEQUENT sessionS LIKE?
For every session, you can count on me to:
- Arrive on time
- Be prepared with a plan--and be flexible about revising the plan if your needs change!
- Have cleared my schedule to focus on you. I do not field calls or texts from other clients during sessions. Your time with me is all about you.
- Sorting through bills and financial paperwork, to determine what to store, scan, shred, and send
- Transforming your email inbox using filters, labels, the "snooze" function, and more
- Facilitating a conversation between you and your housemates, about how to meet each individual’s needs in the shared space
- Conducting a joint session with you and your high school graduate, to prepare for a successful, organized start to college, trade school, or a gap year
What about my privacy?
I am committed to maintaining your privacy to the utmost extent allowed by law. I do not share the Streamlined by Steven client list or any identifying information regarding clients. All references have volunteered to speak with you about their experiences.
ARE you hiring?
Streamlined by Steven is not currently hiring; however, I do offer services to aid job seekers.
I recognize that job hunting can be a full time job! Let me help. I can work with you to find job openings that excite you, track deadlines, submit applications, and manage interviews. For more information, check out my Services page, under the "Preventing Procrastination" section.
I recognize that job hunting can be a full time job! Let me help. I can work with you to find job openings that excite you, track deadlines, submit applications, and manage interviews. For more information, check out my Services page, under the "Preventing Procrastination" section.
ARE THERE ANY SITUATIONS YOU DON'T WORK IN?
I am unable to come in person to sites with cats or cigarette smoke, due to respiratory allergies. (All other pets are welcome!)
I remain available to provide consultation by phone or videoconference, as well as digital organizing services.
I remain available to provide consultation by phone or videoconference, as well as digital organizing services.