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So You Want to be a Home Stager? Here's a Letter just for You ...

Many of us regularly receive emails or calls from "wannabe" stagers .... I've had so many that I came up with a letter to send them. They deserve to know the "reality" of the staging business and not just hear about how "easy" it is (as shown on TV and by some staging training companies) ....

Dear Wannabe Stager,

Thank you for inquiring about the home staging business. I’m often contacted by people who’d like to know more about staging and how to get started. One of the most important things to consider is that professional stagers should be committed to running a business which is so much more than “decorating” someone’s home. There are a lot of costs to consider, such as:

Inventory and props – even if you plan to rent some of the furnishings, you’ll still need to invest a substantial amount of money into accessories, rugs, wall décor, linens, plants, etc. The cost of these items adds up much quicker than you might imagine.

Storage space – once you’ve accumulated accessories and small furnishings you’ll soon find that you need more than just your garage or spare bedroom to store them. Public storage or warehouse space will add to your expenses.

Special insurance to cover your staging company for liability in the event you or your helpers damage something in the client’s home, and also to cover your staging inventory whether it’s in transit, in the client’s home, in storage, or in your own home.

Legal help – you’ll need a good business attorney who can help you develop a staging contract for occupied & vacant homes; this is very important as you’ll find that being in other people’s home exposes you to liability you may not have thought about, or what happens to your rented staging inventory in the event of non-payment, etc. It’s best to seek help even if you have a “template” contract, to make sure everything in it applies in your state.

A good accountant who can help with taxes and what requirements your city & county have for small business owners.

Labor help with packing, loading & unloading, transport, and the actual staging and de-staging.

Register your business with the city and county you’re in and get the proper instructions on your responsibilities; get a TAX ID number.

A domain name for your website & a reputable host for it; SEO help to get your site noticed.

A great blogging platform to help your business grow (Active Rain)

A portfolio and website with photos of your own work (not the work of your training company or stock photos off the internet!).

A reliable vehicle that can carry your many staging props to each job.

Office space with a good computer, printer & supplies ~ and good computer skills.

Marketing advice on the look of your company logo, letterhead stationery, flyers, etc.

Investment in advertising & marketing to potential clients in your area.

Cost of joining local professional organizations to network and get support from others in the industry

Sources for purchasing your inventory and for local furniture rental if needed.

The ability to give presentations to Realtors and Homeowners

These are just a few of the things to consider when thinking about setting up a staging company. The best advice I can give someone interested in staging as a career ~ and not just a hobby ~ is to take one of the professional foundation staging training courses that are available (some are better than others so be sure to get recommendations from established stagers). Continuing education in this field is vitally important. It’s also just as important to maintain contact with other local stagers for support and to further our common goals. We have a lot of work to do to educate real estate agents and homeowners about the powerful benefits of staging their properties.

If you’re truly committed to starting a professional staging company then I hope this advice has been of help to you. Home staging is an extremely rewarding career ~ but please don't quit your current job just yet until you've really considered all the facts. You may also want to read this blog post about running a staging company. Best of luck to you as you move forward with meeting your goals!

*** *** ***

Maureen Bray is a fulltime professional home stager in Portland Oregon. To see Before & After photos of both our Vacant and Occupied properties, view our updated Portland OR home staging photo gallery.

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Posted by Maureen Bray ~ Home Stager Portland OR ~ Room Solutions Staging on 09/20/2009 08:33 PM

Comments (50)

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Originally posted at: Home Staging in Portland Oregon Blog: So You Want to be a Home Stager? Here's a Letter just for You ...

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50 Comments on So You Want to be a Home Stager? Here's a Letter just for You ...

SEP

Great post. Often someone thinks of the fun side of the business instead of the "business".

Hi Maureen- thanks for a great organized post. I'm not receiving as many email requests as I did last year but will keep your letter in mind for the next time I do. It's very thoughtful of you to take the time to let the "future Stagers" know exactly what it will take.

Oh man.... I just thought that I was staging because it was "fun". You just burst my bubble. ;)

Bookmarked and flagged asI believe this should be featured. Excellent post and thank you. I have two newbies I am forwarding this too.

Sherry ~ it's the "business" side that we should think about -- and then we'll have "fun" later!

Kathy ~ I found that I was sending a new email reply back to so many people that I'd just organize my thoughts. Hope it will be helpful to others.

Lori ~ well you're entitled to have as much FUN as you want, seeing as how you're an established successful stager! :-)

Cathy ~ thanks, I hope it helps them to understand what's involved. Much more than most people think, isn't it?

Bravo Maureen!

How about including getting connected with a generous mentor who is considerate enough to share ideas, wisdom and professional advice? That's what you've done for me and it has been invaluable.

Kate ~ that is so sweet of you -- it's a pleasure working with talented stagers such as yourself. I so appreciate your helpful spirit and wonderful input!

Thanks for sharing ... your right it's so much more than decorating.

Hi Maureen! Great post and I am going to flag it as well. I haven't been getting as many calls lately, but I am going to keep this bookmarked and refer the "inquiring minds" to your words of wisdom. Reputable training programs should place a heavy emphasis on the start-up aspects of the business and be truthful about the fact that this is where the primary focus has to be when first getting going.

Liz ~ it certainly is, and we know it! thanks for stopping by.

Kathy ~ There is so much to the business aspect of running a staging business, and if a wannabe stager thinks it's mostly "fun decorating" they'll be in a for a serious shock. Thank you for guiding our local RESA and ASHSR Chapters with your excellent leadership to educate and support our local staging community!

SEP

Maureen - you are right on target with this post.

Excellent advice for those considering starting a staging business. It is rewarding, fun, challenging, hectic at times, but it is indeed also hard work. You have pointed out several important aspects of owning a staging company if you want it to be more than just a hobby.

Great summary of the "business" side which most newbies don't fully take into consideration. This not only gives them a wake up call, it gives them an outline to use to get started.

Maureen - Many, in my opinion, simply aren't aware of everything involved in having a staging company. Your list is excellent.

Kathy

Maureen -- Excellent -- Now I need a letter for those wanting to be my understudy and work for me for free to learn hands on. From the close of business Friday to the open of business at 8:00 am this morning, I have received 5 resumes with requests.

Ugh

Wanda ~ Glad to hear you thought so. It's been on my mind for awhile to put together.

Michele ~ Yes, it's written mainly for those who think they can stage as a "hobbyist" -- as we know, it's more challenging than they may think.

Sharon ~ It would have been helpful for me to have it a few years back, as a checklist.

Kathy ~ hopefully it will help to enlighten them.

Karen ~ Wow there must be a lot of newbies in your area! I can see why they contact you especially since you share your ideas so generously. But we can't all start training our future competition can we? What's the answer -- please write another post!

Excellent "letter" to wantabies. I received 2 emails and 1 phone call just this past week. However, they were from film industry people and Interior Designers who are asking if I am hiring.

This post should be featured on a continual basis here at the top of Stage if Forward and I'm flagging it for a feature on AR.

You are spot on with all of these points Maureen. With your permission, I'd like to bring this to our first RESA Chapter Meeting and read some of it. If anyone wants a copy I will refer them to your blog. Thank you for posting!

So well put Maureen. I don't get many requests or inquiries but when someone "in the marketplace" says "Oh what a FUN job", I no longer just smile and agree...they get my mini-lecture about it being a business where I sweat a lot. I try to say it with a smile and not a grumble. Bookmarked and flagged!

you forgot fake finger nails since your real nails will be worn to mere nubs from scraping stickers and price tags off of your props! Great letter! KH

Connie ~ That's the other issue here that my post didn't address but is a common experience for many of us ... are we hiring?

Karen ~ please feel free to use at your RESA meeting. Thanks for your support!

Ginger ~ Oh yes we know about all the "behind the scenes" reality of staging don't we? There is sweating involved for sure!!

Kate ~ LOL you can tell a good stager by the lack of long nails! (And since you bring it up -- when will those retailers either place the sticker where it's easier to remove, or use better adhesive that doesn't act like cement?)

Maureen, perfect timing. I was just this morning talking to someone about this very same issue. I was even thinking of an email I could put together to answer all of the questions that are being asked, after I rec'd another one last night. The questions I get, "how do I become a home stager", "are you hiring", and "what training do you recommend". I am re-blogging again, your making this easy, I'll just re-blog all of your posts! lol

Oh, I don't even want to talk about nails...what's that? Nubs maybe!

I've also flagged and bookmarked as this definitely should be featured.

Hi Maureen!

Excellent points.

I am still amazed how many people think that this business is just fun, little or no investment and a fat pay. Now I receive 1-2 inquiries a week: some are interested in job shadowing, they love the concept but cannot afford to take classes, some are graduates who are looking for permanent employment...I wish everybody who is thinking of changing careers do their own research and decide if this is good for them or not.

I will send them to your blog from now on:)

Maureen - What a great post. We just finished five vacant stagings in the past four days and I was curious as to how many of the "wanabees" that have called would have wanted to move furniture up three flights of stairs on a day where the humidity was over 80%. (We also staged four bedrooms in one house that required almost two hours of ironing.) I had someone call last week and want to know how many "people" I employed to move the furniture and take care of the inventory. :)

I would also like to refer others to your blog - you covered all the points well.

Cindy ~ Glad you can use this info to answer questions you get about home staging as a career. I get those "are you hiring" emails too. Someone needs to write a post about that subject!

Hi Monica ~ Yes it's true everyone needs to due their own careful research before they decide on a training course, and they all really SHOULD take a good training course. The business aspect of staging is very different from the "creative" side of it, isn't it?

Lynn ~ Wow, 5 vacants in 4 days? That is mind-boggling and you deserve a break! Too true about how staging wannabes don't have any idea of the hard physical labor that's involved! Another stager here on AR commented recently that when asked if they'd like help from a job-shadow, she replied that she had lots of ironing to offer ... and suddenly the person wasn't nearly as interested. Please feel free to refer others to my post, of course!

Thanks Maureen, great post I have bookmarked.

I will attach a link to this post in my return emails to job searchers. I get 1 to 2 weekly. I wrote a blog yesterday about some of those resumes and letters I receive. Between that and the lack of understanding about what it takes to get to the point where you are, it's no wonder so many are set up to fail before they even start. Thanks for laying it out so well organized and concise.

SEP

Ana ~ Beginning stagers need to hear the truth. I've heard that some of the staging training companies gloss over the "business" aspects of running a home staging business -- and don't do their students any favors.

Great post, Maureen. I have just bookmarked it and flagged it to be featured.

Maureen: Great timing on this post. I had two calls the past two weeks asking if I would train them to become a stager, or if they could work for free. As you know, nothing is free.. there are always strings attached some how. I directed them to a few websites to gain more information. They thought it would be a fun environment. Yeah it is fun if you don't have to deal with stressed out people who want it staged yesterday, and have no money to spend for your services. Come join us at our party.........

Catherine ~ thanks for your feedback.

Todd ~ Right -- staging is a "party" that's probably what some people think LOL. Watch out for that "free" labor!

Maureen,

Awesome. You forgot to add that you'll work at least a 40 hour week, and most of that week is not accessorizing with fun and stylish objects.

Right on! I'm getting at least one call a week from interested stagers and I try to give them a reality check.

Julea ~ More like 50 to 60 hrs a week doing hard physical labor LOL!

Beth ~ They need a reality check. I just had 2 more contact me today, asking how to get started ....

SEP

Love it!!! You are so right on about everything. I think it will open a lot of eyes to the newbies. Great letter. Thanks for sharing

Maureen ~ Good post. I had two inquiries this week as well. Look forward to seeing you tomorrow!

Chrissie ~ When you're starting out, isn't it better to know the reality of the home staging business? So many people seem to enter it with such enthusiasm, but end up closing down after a couple of years because they just couldn't handle the "business" part of it.

David ~ We just keep getting enquiries and people who want to work with us, but like you I don't hire direct employees. See you at our meeting!

SEP

Maureen: I read your article with great interest. Although written with the staging profession in mind, it sure could serve as a template for other professions. It's never as easy as it seems and there's always more to the story, isn't there? I have volunteered to provide free training and an internship to business majors at a nearby university with the hopes that I can offer a more clear and honest view into the life of my industry. I think your letter/blog written provides much of that same insight to those seeking your employ or advice, in a very gracious manner.

Hopefully, the students, and those considering a change in employment/careers, will talk to a caring professional such as yourself as they consider or travel down their new career path. Well done!

Gene

Gene ~ thank you for taking the time to read my post and to add your insight as to how it can relate to other careers. It sounds as if you're on the right track by reaching out to your nearby university in hopes of helping to educate students about the mortgage industry.

SEP

Maureen: Thanks for the kind words. I'm hoping that I get the chance to work with a student during this next and upcoming quarter/semester. I fear that many of the students might view this opportunity as "work for no/little pay", but I believe I can offer some added value and insight to their education, something they won't get in the classroom. I would hope that someone would step-up and do the same for one of my boys, should they need it. BTW ... loved the transformation of the condo in your latest blog. Unbelievably, my wife and I have that same area rug (shown in the family room) in our vacation home in Galena, IL. Fits perfectly in both of the homes. Now THAT'S versatile ... Thanks again, Gene

My business is 90% marketing and the 10% staging I do is the icing on the cake. Just like any other business, there is a lot of hard work.

I still think it's a darn great gig and I love and respect my boss for a change. I'm proud of the company I work for. I look forward to everyday. I wouldn't change what I do for the world.

Allegra ~ it sounds like we both like our bosses LOL! :-) I feel VERY lucky to be able to do what I love, and thank God every day for the opportunity. It's the most fun I've ever had -- but also the most work! (Funny enough, my %'s are just the opposite of yours: 90% staging and 10% marketing)

SEP

Very impressive %'s! Now that I'm in a new/tougher market and have started my staging training biz I have to market more than I did in my previous territory. I used to market about 40% and stage about 60%, I thought that was good! You're amazing! Considering I write articles and social network (both of which I consider marketing) at least two hours a day I would have to stage 18 hours a day to be 90/10 like you. You go girl! You are doing something right!

Bottom line, you get what you put into it and it is a job and it is hard work. But if you love what you do, it's worth it!

Didn't know if I told you that I reblogged this. It really is a great blog Maureen ;)

Hi Lori! Thanks for the reblog of this post ... I hope the info here is helpful.

SEP

This is a great letter. I'm going to share some of this....so many think about the "fun" and not the work. Staging is a job, a business, and not a hobby.

OCT

Lisa -- you're so right....it IS fun, but only after a LOT of hard work! Business has to be first if you're doing this to support yourself.

OCT

Can I copy this letter and use it to reply to the email's I get every week??? I try to be honest with these ladies while not sounding too scary at the same time when I get these kinds of inquiries, but the truth is that it's HARD WORK to establish a business like this.

OCT

Tori ~ Feel free to refer anyone to this post, I hope it helps them to se that it's not the easy, "just for fun" business that some may think. Those of us who have been stagers for a while know that it takes a lot of perseverance and business smarts.

Maureen,

Fantastic post. It includes all the points you need to consider before you can really start a home staging business. I am new to the business this year, but I get about one call a month from a "new" home stager asking me about the industry, if I liked my staging training, how much business am I getting.

I think the HGTV shows make everyone think you can read a book or take a 2 day class + order a business card and you are ready to run your home staging business. Your post really drives it home, it IS a business not a day of "fluffing" or "decorating." Most stagers spend the majority of their start-up time on business tasks not the creative side and running a staging business can be hard work.

Great post. -Kate

Kate ~ Thanks for your feedback. It does take "both sides" of the brain to be a successful home stager, IMO. Business skills can be learned, and I believe the creative staging side is something you're either born with, or not. It's a shame that some people are duped by unscrupulous training companies into thinking that it's so easy and doesn't require an investment. We need to educate folks that it's primarily a business and not just "so much fun." (It can be a lot of fun, and rewarding, if you know what you're doing!)

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