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What to do in case of fire??

By
Home Stager with Showcase Your Space, Inc.

For the first time in 5 years of staging, there was a fire in the model unit of a new apartment building we staged! I haven't seen it yet, but apparently there was mostly water damage from the sprinklers, not from the fire. Most of our props are presumably ruined. This is a good client. Do i charge the full price to restage another unit for him? Is there a graceful way to ask my full staging fee, while not feeling like i'm hitting the builder while he's down? i'd really like to hear from anyone who has had a similar situation.

Comments (6)

Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging
Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR
"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Jill ~ Sorry to hear that this happened to you.  For repeat clients, usually I charge a reduced staging fee to move the staging from one model to another nearby one in the same complex.  This situation seems to be similar, you'd be charging your staging fee but most likely you'd be allowing for a reduction since it's a repeat client, and it's in the same complex?  That is how I would handle it.  You didn't say if your insurance covers the loss of your props, but that's another important issue to consider. Good luck.

Mar 27, 2009 05:40 AM
Diana Young
Staging Seattle, King & Snohomish Counties - Edmonds, WA

Hi Jill, As a starting point, what does your contract state?  Our contract states that the client is responsible for any damage to our inventory while it is in the staged property.  Either way I would think you generous to absorb the loss for the staging props, thus sharing in the client's loss due to fire,  and charge the client the  full price to stage another .  There are just no winners in a situation like this, but you can show empathy to the client in the loss, which is really loss for both of you.

Mar 27, 2009 07:06 AM
Jill Steinberg
Showcase Your Space, Inc. - Larchmont, NY
Showcase Your Space, NY

thanks for your comments Maureen and Diana. yes we do have a clause in our contract, and yes we'll charge them the replacement value for the damaged props.  but i'm not sure about charging the full fee for staging another model, exactly the same as the damaged unit. Perhaps we'll deduct a portion of the fee designated as the "design" part of the fee, as we already have the unit designed. We just need to replace the props, deliver and setup.

Mar 27, 2009 01:06 PM
Michelle Minch
Moving Mountains Design Home Staging, Pasadena, CA - Los Angeles, CA
Home Staging Los Angeles and Orange County, CA

Your client's insurance may cover the cost of restaging as part of their coverage. They need to check with their claims adjuster.

Mar 27, 2009 05:06 PM
Patsy Overton
Patsy Overton Interiors, Atlanta, Georgia - Duluth, GA

I'm with Marueen.  I would charge a reduced staging fee for set-up in the new home because, as you said, the "design" part has already been done, unless you are moving everthing to another floor plan.  I'm very sorry to hear that happened to you and the builder.

Mar 28, 2009 01:05 AM
Virginia Tatseos
Stage-Show-Sell - Bloomfield Township, MI

I'm with Michelle,   check their insurance coverage before giving up some of your profit

Mar 30, 2009 12:21 PM