Staged to Rent...Part Two, the interior.

Hi Beth, first of all those owners would be foolish to pass you up as a tenant.  So many tenants destroy and put no value in where they live and that certainly wouldn't be you. This new tenant says he is also going to make improvement to the property inside and out.  He has pride in where he lives but just isn't able to buy right now. 

I do not have a contractors license and will never have one again.  Been there/done that and I don't like being in the middle between owners and subs.  I refer owners to vendors and usually give them several choices in each field.  Then, they have to make the contact, make the choice, pay them and hassle with them if there are issues. 

The homeowner and myself did much of the work in this house.  We did not do the tile work (I don't get on my knees...only do countertops and backsplashed) or lay the carpet.  Along with one handyman we painted, changed light fixtures, refinished cabinets, installed laminate flooring and much more.  I enjoy this type of work and have been doing it for almost 40 years so there is little that I can't do, just some that I won't do. 

My suggestion is that when you are making recommendations on updates etc with your staging consultations, mention what items you and your team can take care of.  For some clients I do not tell them of my skills because it is apparent that I would not like working for them doing anything more than the staging.  You walk a fine line and make decisions that will benefit you, your business and your family.

Good luck...hope the rental works out for you.

Thanks Wanda, yes it was but the results made it all worthwhile. 

Tessa I have been doing this type of thing for so long that I was relieved when the term STAGING came along because now it has some type of title.  Now I just wish that ReDesign had the recognition value that staging is finally getting.  Thanks for your kind complements and comments.   

Kathy...I do own a hard hat but I it's old and yellow and I think I need a new one with my company logo on it...thanks!! (:

Thank you Liz....Christopher Lowell is a BIG proponent of cross-pollinating of color and I try to do that with every job.  I will miss those red chairs. Thanks for commenting here. 

Susan, those cabinets cause considerable debate and the owner hunted high and low for a process to refinish them but not take them down to raw wood.  Happily it worked.  Thanks so much for commenting. 

Nancy you are so right.  I have had local agents tell me that my staging is SO-O easy to replicate that they now do-it-themselves.  BUT when I see their staging it makes me gasp and I don't want anyone to think that's what staging is.  I'm trying desperately to educate but too many are still unwilling to learn.  I don't care if they do-it-themselves IF they do it right.  Thanks for all of the praise and comments. 

Cyn, thank you, thank you, thank you.  The owner had so many positive comments and applications that I was thrilled too.  I'm really pleased that the kitchen cabinets turned out so well because they were such a point of contention. 

Thank Diana everybody is happy and I know that I will continue to get jobs from the client. 

I guess that I did Julie.  The nice thing is that destaging now will only take one van load instead of 3 or 4.  Thank you for stopping. 

Beth many of the professional painters that I recommend have contractor licenses and I suppose it could be an issue.  Since I usually work hand-and-hand with the homeowner I haven't worried about anything more than my business license.  I charge my hourly rate for everything that I do because the handyman "contractors" in our area charge about the same. 

Hope your rental turns out great for you. 

Thank you Nancy.  Now I have to decide if I want to do his next condo project. 

Thanks Michele. It's nice to have destaging minimized, a happy client and a thrilled tenant. 

Thanks Virginia.  It's great to have LONG-TERM tenants but the wear and tear means a lot of work when they eventually leave.  There's very little wear and tear on our vacation rental with tenants that only stay a month and usually just a week of two, but there's no assurance of the income either. Don't be fearful just be happy that you have someone in there providing you with the income. 

Thanks Sheila.  It was an interesting project.  The tenant moves in today and I'll be there again in three weeks to help him pull it all together, make a few more purchases and bring my remaining inventory back home.  Happy Spring to you. 

Thank you Iris.  I love my work AND my passion!

I'm thrilled with that Iris.  Most of the professional stagers that contribute here on AR feel that promoting our industry is crucial and I'm pleased that you are considering this service.  Let me know if I can be of further assistance.