Member Case Studies
Contractor
Hiring subcontractors to do things you can’t — or don’t want to — do yourself
She could develop organizational systems for homes along with doing what she most enjoys—working in business settings. But why should she have to?
Knowing there are NAPO members who prefer to work only in residential settings, she is inclined to let them do so. When a residential job comes her way, she subcontracts it out to one of six pros she works with on a regular basis, keeping a portion of the client fees for her own business. “It works out beautifully. Everybody wins,” she says, including the client, who “gets somebody who loves residential.”
The system has run seamlessly since the NAPO member decided in 2004 that she no longer wanted to handle residential jobs. “The people I subcontract the work to offer so much more for residential organizing,” she said. “It just wasn’t my forte.”
Her roster of subcontractors, in turn, often refers business and commercial clients to her. “We refer business to each other all the time,” she says, noting that NAPO members should make networking with fellow organizers a priority. “You have to know people. Building those relationships is key,” she says, especially with subcontracting.
“Have a very solid agreement. There is a danger of someone taking your client. Be sure to know who you’re dealing with and be covered.” Warnings aside, once the details are finalized, she adds, “Contracting can be a very lucrative income stream.”
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