Terms of Service

THE FOLLOWING OUTLINES THE POLICIES FOR KURTANI, UPDATED JUNE 2023. POLICIES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. UPDATES WILL BE SHOWN ON THE KURTANI WEBSITE, PLEASE BE ADVISED.

INITIAL CONSULTATION & NEEDS ASSESSMENT
FREE CONSULTATIONS: In the initial approx. 60-minute free consultation, I work with the potential client to identify and define the organizing challenges and goals. If the client does not have total autonomy in decision-making, with-regards-to the project(s), any other adult whose space is being affected should either be present for the initial consultation or must be told the outcome by the primary client. KURTANI is not responsible for communication gaps between household members/project managers.

CONFIRMATIONS: Once a date(s) is confirmed by the client, KURTANI will send out a confirmation text within 24 hours before the session begins. Please reach out to Ia/Kurtani with any cancellations and/or time changes.

EFFECTIVE SESSIONS WITH KURTANI
IN-PERSON SESSIONS: Organizing sessions may/will require the participation and decision-making of the client unless otherwise agreed. If the client will not be present, it will be discussed beforehand on how Ia/Kurtani should make decisions in accordance with the client’s wishes.

INTERRUPTIONS: To maximize productivity while a client is working alongside Ia/Kurtani, it is best to have little to no interruptions. That includes, but is not limited to: prolonged phone calls, limited interruptions from clients’ families, visitors, pets, etc. It is recommended that all preventative interruptions be considered before starting each project with Ia/Kurtani.

FOCUS: If participating in the organizing, clients are recommended to consider eating, drinking coffee, exercising, etc. before each session. Staying hydrated while we work together is important for brain activity to function. Come prepared to stay focused between 2-4 hours at a time! Ia will always have water and snacks of her own.

WORKING WITH MINORS: If requested, Ia/Kurtani is more than happy to work with minors as long as there is parental supervision at all times. Ia has worked with children on a professional level and is comfortable guiding them to make informed and effective decisions.

BREAKS: Breaks are encouraged and practiced, and specific times will be discussed before the start of each day. For 8 hours days, breaks can be broken down as follows:

  • Two 15 minute breaks over 8 hours

  • One 30 minute break during an 8 hour period

  • OR 1-hour lunch break (if a scheduled appointment is longer than 8 consecutive hours)

SAFETY
FIREARMS, WEAPONS, & “PERSONAL” ITEMS: Kurtani requests that clients remove and secure firearms, weapons, and personal items from work areas before appointments. This may also include, but is not limited to cash, jewelry, including precious and semi-precious stones, medications, stocks, bonds, coins, stamps, or other collections, precious and semi-precious metals, checks and un-cashed checks, credit cards, firearms, and ammunition, fireworks and other explosives.

HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS: You must inform Kurtani of all hazardous conditions or materials within the premises. This includes structural defects, faulty electrical wiring, and plumbing, firearms, hazardous chemicals, hazardous medical equipment, or medical waste (such as syringes, sharps, bandages, bedpans, etc.)  The cost of proper disposal is the clients’ responsibility. Kurtani may decline to move, organize, pack, or handle anything deemed by Ia to be hazardous or unsafe.  This shall include animal or pest feces, dead animal or pest bodies, or other hazardous or unsafe items.

CANCELLATIONS
CANCELLATION PROCESS:
Clients are responsible for reaching out for any cancellation of sessions. You will not be charged a cancellation fee IF the client reaches out to Kurtani 24 hours or more prior to the scheduled appointment. Please reach out via telephone and leave a message, to avoid issues with emails or texts not being delivered. 

CANCELLATION WITHOUT RESCHEDULING LESS THAN 24 HOURS: Unless considered an emergency, clients will be charged one-half of the hours booked and will be billed. Billed amounts must be paid in full prior to the next appointment or in 30 days, whichever comes sooner. 

NO-SHOWS & LAST MINUTE CANCELLATIONS: The following will result in the full session being charged and billed to the address on file:

  • If the client cancels within 120 minutes prior to the scheduled session

  • If Kurtani arrives at the client’s home/work and no one is there

  • If the client cancels when Ia arrives on-site, but does not message and/or call beforehand, it will be considered a “no call, no show.”

Billed amounts must be paid in full prior to the next appointment and/or within 30 days, whichever comes first.

INCLEMENT WEATHER & CORONAVIRUS: Inclement weather can be difficult to predict especially during the winter & flooding months. Navigating the pandemic has been and may continue to be unpredictable as well. The following will NOT result in additional cancellation fees. However, clients must arrange a new date with Ia/Kurtani within 1 week of the event cancelation. Examples are, but are not limited to:

  • If the roads are too dangerous for Ia/Kurtani to drive on. This can include but is not limited to natural disasters, flooding, snow, or high wind speeds.

  • If a client has children, schools are shut down due to weather or the coronavirus, and clients must look after children

  • Outlier events pertaining to weather or the pandemic will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Kurtani is also committed to the safety of each of their clients and will wear a mask at all times during the duration of the session, unless otherwise discussed with the client. Hand sanitizer will be provided by Kurtani, as well as additional cleaning supplies that will be used to aid in the functioning of Kurtani’s services. 

THE RIGHT TO WAIVE: Kurtani reserves the right to waive any cancellation fees.

PAYMENTS

FEES DUE:
Fees are due and payable upon the Client’s receipt of invoice and/or upon the completion of each session. Whichever occurs first, however, Kurtani will issue an electronic invoice within 24/hrs of completing each project for everyone’s records.

PAYMENT TYPES ACCEPTED: Venmo, Cash, Paypal, Cash App. Checks will not be accepted by individuals but will be considered by third-party companies and/or established businesses.  

COST VARIABLES: The total cost and time of a project is dependent on several factors, including:

  • Which hourly prices or package prices are agreed upon between Kurtani & Client

  • The speed at which clients make decisions regarding what is to be kept, discarded, or donated

  • Quantity of items/How large each room is

Upon entering a location and viewing the scope of the job, Ia may suggest more appointment dates to complete a project. Please be advised that an honest assessment will be given at the beginning of the project.

OTHER SERVICES, DIRECT COSTS, & VENDORS 
SHOPPING, ERRANDS ON CLIENT’S BEHALF, & RESEARCH TIME:
If it is agreed that Kurtani will run errands, in person, on behalf of a Client, including donation drop-offs, shopping on behalf of the client, and dropping off shredding, the travel and errand time will be added to Client’s invoice at the regular hourly rate. The fee for extensive online research (30 minutes or more), online shopping and online returns is one-half of the hourly rate. All receipts will be presented at or before the next appointment for reimbursement. 

OTHER DIRECT EXPENSES: Direct expenses, including, but not limited to, copying, shipping fees, delivery charges, parking, are the Client’s responsibility. Direct expenses will be billed to the Client at the time of service.

OTHER VENDOR SERVICES: During an organizing project, it may be appropriate to work with other service providers that are not provided by Kurtani, such as cleaners, movers, advance furniture assembly, junk removers, carpenters, physical labor, etc. At a Client’s request, we will seek to find service provider options; Clients, however, will connect directly with such service providers, holding Kurtani harmless for the actions or performance of other service providers.

LIVING EXPENSES: If a client is more than an hour away from Kurtani, living accommodations may be required. Clients will be charged an additional $100 per night for every night Ia is located at the client’s location for the project. Prices may be subject to change depending on location, housing, and duration of time staying in the area. All prices will be discussed prior to taking on a project and clients will be asked to sign a contract and invoice verifying the payment statement.

TRAVEL TIME & EXPENSE: Kurtani will travel, without charge, twenty (20) miles or thirty (30) minutes each way, whichever is shorter. Any travel time above 20 miles or thirty (30) minutes each way, will be charged based off-of the below gas calculations. Where travel fees apply, any tolls will be charged to the client, as well. Kurtani reserves the right to waive any travel fees. Kurtani mainly services the Capital Region of Upstate New York, but can also travel between Upstate, NY, and Philadelphia, PA.

How gas will be calculated and billed:
(Miles from Schenectady, NY to clients’ location ÷ 27.5 miles per gallon on Ia’s car = Gallons of gas needed x The current gas price = Total gas fee x 2 for round-trip/there and back)

Example of gas fee calculations from Schenectady, NY to Philly, PA (approx. as of March, 2022):

    • 248 ÷ 27.5 = 9.02

    • 9.02 x $4.39 = $39.59 (one way)

    • $39.59 x 2 = $79.19 (round trip)

CONFIDENTIALITY
PRIVACY & CONFIDENTIALITY:
Often times Ia/Kurtani will have access to sensitive documents or personal items. For this reason, Ia/Kurtani requests specific instructions from clients on how to handle documents, private information, personal belongings, etc. All private information seen during any given session will be kept confidential by Ia/Kurtani. Therefore, Ia & Kurtani agrees not to disclose any information or things found in or around each client’s home or place of business, without the written consent of the client. Kurtani emphasizes the client’s right to confidentiality, honesty, and integrity by Ia.

RESTRICTIONS & LIABILITY
RESTRICTIONS:
Kurtani reserves the right to withdraw from an organizing project at any time if the project involves perceived unsafe working conditions, if Clients are in breach of their agreement with us, or if we cannot render the services requested by Clients through no fault of our own. 

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: Each client will review all materials that Kurtani recommends be disposed of by means of recycling, shredding, donation, resale, or any other means. Ia helps each Client make informed decisions, but the final decision is always the Client’s to make. The client agrees that KURTANI is not responsible for any loss or damage caused by the Client’s failure to carefully review or inspect any discarded items. The Client agrees that the homeowner’s policy is the primary insurance policy for any property damage claim.

The client agrees to indemnify, defend, release and hold Kurtani harmless of, from, and against any and all costs, losses, claims, damages, liabilities, expenses, and other obligations (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs) asserted or recovered against or incurred by Kurtani in connection with the services proposed or provided herein. Kurtani makes no warranties express or implied in connection with the services provided or proposed herein. The customer acknowledges that results are purely subjective and may vary between customers. 

PHOTOGRAPHS, TESTIMONIALS, & DISCLAIMER POLICIES
PHOTOGRAPHS & TESTIMONIALS:
By agreeing to these terms of service, clients may give Kurtani permission to use, anonymously (without remuneration) testimonials, and Before & After videos and pictures of their project, in marketing materials, including print and online. Upon request & at the end of each project session, clients’ will be shown all videos & photos taken before it is used. Please refer to the PHOTO & VIDEO RELEASE FORM to GRANT or WAIVE Kurtani your permission to take video and photos of your project(s).

TESTIMONIAL DISCLAIMER: Kurtani presents insights and testimonials about other people’s experiences with Ia’s products and services for purpose of illustration only. The testimonials, examples, and photos used are of actual customers. Testimonials are not intended to represent or guarantee that current or future customers will achieve the same or similar results; rather, they represent what is possible for illustrative purposes only.

PROFESSIONAL DISCLAIMER: The ideas, recommendations, and opinions on this website, social media, and made in person are for educational and entertainment purposes only, and should not be considered legal, financial, or medical advice. Ia is not an attorney, doctor, or licensed financial professional. Kurtani is not liable for any losses or damages related to actions or failure to act related to the content of this website, social media, or in-person discussions. If you need specific legal, financial, or medical advice, consult a professional in your area.

PRIVACY POLICIES: We understand that privacy online is important to users of our Site, especially when conducting business. This statement governs our privacy policies with respect to those users of the site ("Visitors") who visit without transacting business and Visitors who register to transact business on the site and make use of the services offered by Kurtani.