Full Throttle Start-Up #003

Decluttering and Organizing Business - Turning Mess Into Money

Home Services In The News

  • Smart Homes Fuel Home Services Growth
    Smart home technology is driving significant growth in the home services industry, creating new opportunities for innovation and investment.

    Companies getting into this field are tapping into the rising demand by offering installations, integration, maintenance, and ongoing support for increasingly connected households.


    Source article: middlemarkergrowth.org

  • Home Service Industry Thrives Amid Economic Challenges
    The home service industry remains strong despite economic pressures, attracting new entrepreneurs and trade workers.

    Service providers continue to see steady consumer demand, increased adoption of digital payments, and growing revenue, which helps offset inflation and rising costs. This resilience highlights significant ongoing opportunities in home services.
    Source article: newswire.ca

Turn Clutter into Cash: Decluttering and Organizing Services

Many people feel overwhelmed by clutter in their homes and offices, which causes stress and reduced productivity. Items accumulate gradually until they become a daunting problem.

What if you could relieve this chaos and build a profitable business simultaneously?

Business Idea Overview:

A decluttering and organizing business provides professional assistance to individuals overwhelmed by disorganized spaces.

These could be people who have just let things pile up a bit and want to organize their lives, those who need to make room for life’s changes, or full-out hoarding situations that need a lot of attention.

You would help them sort, declutter, and create efficient storage solutions.

Customers seek you out to regain peace of mind, improve productivity, and enhance their living or working environment.

This service is increasingly in demand as more people recognize organized spaces' mental and practical benefits.

How the Business Works:

Your decluttering and organizing services typically start with an initial consultation, either virtually or on-site, where you assess the client's space and understand their specific needs.

You'll then develop a tailored action plan outlining clear, achievable goals.

During the hands-on sessions, you'll guide clients through sorting belongings, deciding what to keep, donate, or discard, and setting up sustainable organizational systems.

Typical clients include…

  • Busy professionals

  • Seniors downsizing their homes

  • Families preparing to sell homes

  • Individuals seeking a fresh start.

Depending on the scope of the work involved, each job might only take a few hours and could go up to several days.

On average, organizers charge between $50–$100 per hour, enabling earnings of $200–$800 per day, depending on the job's complexity and length.

If you hire employees to help with larger jobs, you could charge them $25 or more per hour.

A real key to success in the decluttering business is your ability to listen to your clients, understand their daily routines, and deliver practical solutions.

Your clients don’t just need help cleaning up—they need advice to keep the clutter away for good.

Something to keep in mind

Trust is critical here. Your customers invite you into their personal spaces, so being friendly, respectful, and non-judgmental is essential.

A positive experience leads to loyal clients and enthusiastic referrals.

Getting Started: Tools of the Trade

Starting a decluttering business is relatively inexpensive. Essential tools and materials include:

  • Garbage bags and recycling bins ($20–$40)

  • Label maker or labels ($20–$30)

  • Storage containers and bins (variable, often client-provided)

  • Measuring tape and a basic toolset ($30–$50)

  • A smartphone or camera for before-and-after photos

  • Reliable transportation to client sites

  • Business cards and a simple website or social media page (low-cost/free)

Initial startup costs typically range from $100 to $300, assuming you already have a vehicle. Legally, you'll likely need basic business registration and liability insurance, which usually costs $400–$600 annually.

Finding Your First Customers:

Your first clients might be closer than you think. Begin by offering your services to family, friends, or neighbors at a discounted rate to build a portfolio of before-and-after examples.

Share these transformations on social media and local community boards (Nextdoor, local Facebook groups).

Networking with real estate agents, property managers, and senior-living communities can rapidly grow your client base.

Offer workshops at local community centers or libraries to demonstrate your skills and attract potential clients.

Positive reviews and word-of-mouth recommendations will soon follow, building credibility and demand for your services.

Quick Tips:

  • Always approach each project with empathy and understanding—clutter often accompanies emotional baggage.

  • Keep your initial consultations structured but friendly to build trust.

  • Take clear, appealing before-and-after pictures to demonstrate your value visually.

With dedication and a knack for organization, turning clutter into cash is both rewarding and highly profitable.

Growth and Expansion Potential:

As your business gains momentum, consider expanding into related services, such as junk removal, home staging, or closet installations.

Eventually, hiring additional organizers can help you manage larger jobs and grow your business significantly.

Other Services To Offer

As you become more comfortable with your new business, you may want to start branching out and offering other services. I’ve put together a few “add-on” services that you may wish to offer below. All of these could be complete home-services business ideas on their own, and I will be creating editions on them in the near future as well.

1. Junk Removal Services

After decluttering, clients often have large amounts of unwanted items. Providing junk removal gives clients a convenient solution and generates additional revenue. You can even partner with a local bin rental or disposal company if you're not ready to buy equipment.

2. Home Staging for Real Estate

An organized and decluttered home sells faster and for more money. Home staging services complement decluttering beautifully, providing attractive arrangements that showcase homes for sale. Real estate agents and homeowners both highly value this service.

3. Closet and Storage Installation

Clients who declutter frequently realize they need better storage solutions. Offering custom closet organization or storage system installations can expand your service offering, increasing the overall value you bring to each customer.

  1. Evaluate Your Own Space
    Pick a room or closet in your home and declutter it using the same steps you'll offer your clients. Capture clear before-and-after photos to build your initial portfolio.

  2. Reach Out Locally
    Draft a simple message offering your services at a discounted rate to friends, family, or neighbors. This helps build credibility, testimonials, and confidence.

  3. Create a Basic Marketing Presence
    Set up a simple, professional social media page or basic website showcasing your services and your recent decluttering success photos.

  4. Plan a Networking Move
    Connect with at least one local real estate agent or senior-living community this week to introduce your services and explore partnership opportunities.

Taking these steps can quickly move your decluttering and organizing business from idea to reality, and you'll be getting your first clients in no time!

Tim