Top 10 Disposophobia™ FAQs

Why have I never heard of your company?

Good question. You probably have never had the need for such a unique service as DISASTER MASTERS®. Fortunately we have enjoyed a fine reputation in business since 1980, performing Contents and Crisis Management services for individuals, families, attorneys, Estate Executors and people just like you.

What services does DISASTER MASTERS® provide?

We provide end to end crisis contents management services for people's homes, apartments and businesses. Our specialty is dealing with abnormal amounts of contents, and people who need our unique services. Specifically, those that are extremely disorganized or cluttered beyond normal. Said another way, we provide life transition services for Disposophobics across North America.

Is DISASTER MASTERS® in the organizing and cleaning business?

No, almost any grade school kid can organize things and very little skill is needed to be in the "cleaning" business. We provide life altering services for people who have abused themselves by holding on to "Stuff" instead of people.

Cleaning is just one of the end results of our services but never the first step.

Clutter cannot be cleaned.

Clutter must first be managed. DISASTER MASTERS ® primary function is managing the restoration process for homes and apartments that have been grossly neglected, cluttered, or have in some other way become uninhabitable due to a flood, fire or wind storm. Our services are far more comprehensive than cleaning and or professional organizing services.

Can you forestall evictions?

Absolutely. We enjoy a 100% recovery record for clients who have been given a "Ten Day Notice to Cure" summons from the court system. As a matter of fact, the larger law firms in the City of New York recommend our service in their eviction notice letters.

Moreover, some of the housing court judges recommend our services to court appointed attorneys for people who are undergoing guardianship proceedings.

How much do you charge?

To provide an intelligent answer to this question, each project must be appraised by a project manager. If we were to provide a quotation or a fee for services without seeing the project and knowing what is necessary, we would be like a blind man judging a beauty contest. It just is not realistic for you or us.

To eliminate false expectations, every project must be seen before we can provide any of our services.

Once we have seen the project, we have the capability to provide a FIXED fee for services and then provide a written document which includes exactly what will be done, how it will be done, how long it will take and exactly how much it will cost. GUARANTEED

Paying for unknown or undefined services by the hour without a specific written commitment of results is a perfect recipe for your disappointment.

Most people want to know exactly how much a project will cost in time and dollars so they can make an intelligent decision.

We believe that amateurs charge by the hour because they don't have the years of experience or the wisdom in essential matters to provide a guaranteed fee for a specific project and detail in writing the timeframe and the outcome. We do!

We believe that a true professional is able to review a clients situation, determine exactly what the client wants or needs, create a written Plan of action with exact costs and time for completion. No guess work or open ended issues.

We know exactly how to do that.

DISASTER MASTERS® professional services require a wide combination of human resource skill sets similar to those found in hospitals. These projects can employ up to 13 different human resources to undertake and complete.

Skilled, reliable and competent management is the key for success in these kinds of projects.

What areas do you provide services?

Our home office in NYC and we make personal on site appraisals in NY NJ and CT.

For all other states and Canadawe provide a very specific method for you to retain our services.

Why should I hire Disaster Masters and not some local people?

Daily we get email and phone calls from people asking if we have “someone” in their area like The Disaster Masters.

There is NO shortage of people in your home town who can clean a kitchen or bathroom. The shortage is finding a competent Project Manager who knows how to manage clutterers, delegate and carry out a search, salvage and debris removal project and direct up to as many as 8 people with different tasks to get the job done quickly and economically.
There are no people in your town like who has the wherewithal and over 30 years experience in recovering projects than Ron Alford.
Last and the first reason is that we get the recovery project done, on budget, on time and with out any complaints or regrets.
Our services are all encompassing in that each of our projects is conducted like a surgeon’s operating room. One doctor and several support staff on every project. Sound complicated or expensive? Nothing is complicated when you know how to plan a recovery project and to manage a hand picked staff to carry it out.
Expensive? In thirty years we have never heard a recovered client say that our services were too expensive to get a new and more joyful life.

Will you help us liquidate Grandma’s stuff?

After our appraisal, we can discuss with you whether or not the "stuff" has real value. If so, we are perfectly positioned to liquidate the valuable items for you. To avoid conflicts of interests, we function as your facilitators or Agent. We don't buy or work for buyers so we can get you the highest possible amounts. We assist or locate the types of dealers or auctions who may be interested in your pieces.

Will you deliver some things to me in Texas?

DISASTER MASTERS® can provide any know service that has to do with the contents of a dwelling. We can arrange for a local moving or shipping company to pack and send anything, anywhere to anyone in the world.

What do you do with all the clutter?

That information is only known to DISASTER MASTERS® after we have had the opportunity to appraise the situation. After we have the opportunity to see the situation, we then fix a firm fee for our services and create a written plan of action that details the outcome including the disposition of the contents.

Our expertise is making cost effective, value judgments for you or the Client.

What about valuables?

Our reputation is impeccable. Very often in cluttered residences, valuables are juxtaposed with the junk.

Our first order of business is a "search and salvage" operation. It is our process to carefully filter through and identify valuables such as documents, photographs, ephemera and safeguard these items. We often uncover jewelry, money, checks, bonds, stock certificates, collectibles, etc. These items are placed in containers and presented to the person who authorized the project.

When can you provide an on-site evaluation?

Usually within 24 hours if it is necessary. Evening and weekend appointments are possible. We will work with your schedule.

But Wait! Aunt Millie does not want anything done in her house!

That's Right!!! She thinks that she is perfectly OK and we are out of order.

Most of our clients don’t want anything done – yet some situation has forced their hand. We will make every attempt to work with Aunt Millie and to assure her that we are there to help. Her self-respect and dignity are important, and she can still be allowed to feel like she has some control over what’s happening. Yet, the project must be done with expedience as well as compassion.