Window Treatments - Will I or Won't I?

Michelle, I don't do windows.  In fact, that's one of the neatest things about staging vacants to me, no window treatments b/c they are so personal and so expensive to do well.  Ikea notwithstanding.  And they cover the light and sometimes great architectural trim as well, which is not good.  That being said, here's the exception to prove the rule.  The B&A of a deadly white condo in which the agent wanted no furniture to be used in the Staging.  Go figure.  This is 1/2 of one drapery scarf ($40) safety pin pleated and hung for color.  (The remaining 1/2 of the panel made drapes in the Master.

I am of the belief that they do not go into staging jobs unless they are specifically requested. If so I indicate that they are the seller's obligation to purchase since they are expected to be sold with the house. I am also happy to purchase them and add in fees for personal shopping and for installation. Most sellers balk at the expense, but there have been more than a few takers based on the serious need for their luxuriousness.

I also am a dealer for window shades, and make some sales to clients who want to install shades as an added value. Model homes are great potential sales. Plus, realtors themselves order a few shades as well.

Michelle - this is one of my favorite "after" pictures of your work.  I too am getting asked more frequently whether I supply window treatments or not.  I'm going to use your route and suggest that they NOT be part of the rental but instead, that these are items the client purchases. 

Kathy

Michelle,

I avoid doing window treatments unless I absolutely have to - which is usually my model homes. I buy basic curtain panels at discount stores and will add fabric on the bottom or as a stripe on the side to give a custom look. To save myself time I hire a seamstress who will do it for $10 an hour. Her quality is great and I can usually get about 3 panels done in an hour.

Michele,

I install window treatments in almost all of my listings and you're right; it's almost a $100 a window and the window treatments are conveyed with the house. Since I'm the Realtor as well as the stager I can afford to do this.

Over the years I've come up with several ways to cut the cost. I've got a new one that cost about $8.00 a window and I'm going to blog about it next week. I think it can make a huge difference and if I were to go into a strictly staging business model I'd still try to do it and get the seller or maybe the agent to pay extra.   

I don't do window treatments as a standard practice.  I can't wait to read Susan's $8.00 window secret though!  Maybe it will change my mind. . .

Kim Dillon, Creative Eye Home Staging

I did not realize there was a controversy with window treatments - as far as being included with the sale of the house and am now going to need to research my state to find out!  I have been including them as some of my vacants have DEFINITELY needed them - (think dead, weedy lawns and evil dogs next door!) 

A great thing I've found recently is a spring-loaded curtain rod that's mounted inside the window -- think of the old white cafe-curtain type - but these new ones are black, iron looking -- the spring part mounts inside the window but then an additional little finial comes out around the sides!!  It it the best thing since sliced bread!!  They also have a silver one that's not bad looking.   I think it warms up the room so much and no drilling/patching of holes!  I LOVE IT!  ---Sheri

Great conversation. I just submitted a proposal to stage and empty house and included shopping services for window treatments if the client wants them. She indicated she wouldn't know what to buy.

I didn't know I could/should change above my staging fee to hang them. What is the going rate for hanging curtains? Thanks.

I've dealt with this same issue when I Stage homes here in Murfreesboro.  In some cases, if it involves nicer curtains I have the seller buy the materials and I put them up.  I have also purchased inexpensive fabric or twin sheets to whip up some simple curtains and use those cheap white rods to just give some color or finished feel to a room and just leave them.  In both cases I figure my costs and include that in my Staging fees.

Kathy Fix, Owner, Staging Dreams