I have been thinking about this for a while.  Everbody loves to have a guarantee on product or service they purchase, as it makes them feel safe.  So, as a Home Stager, are there any guarantees I can offer my clients?

Maybe it's easier to start by determining the things which I can NOT guarantee...I can not guarantee that the house will sell faster and for more money (and how much more!) after Staging, as there are several factors which are out of my control, including the sale price, the location, the condition of the structure itself, the marketing efforts put into the sale by the owner or the realtor, etc. 

I can guarantee the quality of my services, though.  I can demonstrate that I am a professional in my field and that I have the client's best interests at heart.  I can guarantee that I will listen to their needs and will respect their timeframe and their budget.  I can guarantee that I will always be honest in my recommendations and that I will find an appropriate solution for them (even if, sometimes, it's not ideal).

I think if I do that, the clients will see my value as a Home Stager and will understand the benefits of Home Staging.  What do you think?

 
Post is included in group: Stage It Forward...

10 Comments on What can I guarantee my clients as a Home Stager?

AUG
03
2007
279,831 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog

You can guarantee that their home will look 100% better after staging!

7:49pm • #1
1 Featured Post
Youe can guarantee them an honest appraisal of the needs of their home to compete for the best price and quickest sale. Good post!
7:55pm • #2
125,790 Points 7 Featured Posts Outside Blog

I think it's the Californian in me but I am very hesistant to use the word "guarantee." A very senior agent in my area used to guarantee that she can sell your house or she will buy it! Well, that USED to be her guarantee.

Additionally I read a lot small business blogs and many have recommend to underpromise and overperform. Because once you say you will do something, your customer will hold you to it. But there may be a day when you are having a bad day, or life got in the way and you can't perform that promise. Then the client's impression of you will deflate. It's hard to recover and repair a disappointment. On the other hand, if you underpromise and over perform, then imagine the clients' shock when you said you would do something, then you did something even better! That's when they talk to their friends about you and rave about you, not when you fulfill something you promise or guarantee you would do because everyone already does that.

I hope this helps and doesn't sound harsh ;)

Cheers,

Cindy 

11:58pm • #3
AUG
04
2007
139,048 Points
Started out this blog thinking one way and ended up another.  Thanks everyone, great information and food for thought!  Had a client just yesterday as for my "guarantees" and I kinda stumbled with my words.   Have to think it through more thoroughly!
8:55am • #4

Thanx for everyone for your thoughts - keep them coming! 

For Terry:  I thought about that one but, in my opinion, it's a bit risky to say that the house will look better after staging, as it might offend the owner...Also, «looking better» is a subjective opinion...But what we could say, I think, is that the house «will look better for SALE peurpose».... 

For Cindy:  I understand what you're saying...On the other hand, we are dealing with competition and the need to distinguish ourselves as well as reassure the client.  So, I want to find the way and the right words to do just that...

9:06am • #5
199,479 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog
I just broached this topic with my Staging Sisters - and what came up was much the same - good service, an enhanced product, the sharing of your expertise, and an ear to listen.
3:03pm • #6
279,831 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog
Yeah Sveta you're right about insulting homeowners.  I think thats one of the reasons they hesitate to hire us in the first place.  Either they think their houses are perfect, or some stranger is going to come in and insult them.
3:18pm • #7
AUG
05
2007
4 Featured Posts

After reading your blog I can tell that you LOVE doing what you do!  Having your clients "best interest at heart" is a MUST in our industry.  I GUARANTEE you do the best job you can do!  :)

1:17pm • #8
125,790 Points 7 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Hey Sveta

There are a lot of great ways to differentiate yourself but at the same time protect yourself without making guarantees. I have differentiate myself from others without making any.

Also it depends what you guarantee for, chances are every other stager will guarantee similar things like "sell your home for top dollars," etc. Then it just becomes meaningless marketing words because everyone says it. As a consumer, I do feel more at ease when there is a guarantee because I can hold the vendor responsible. But usually guarantees apply to quantitative things that can be measured. If you cannot fulfill your guarantee, the customer will take actions to get their money back. So just be careful about that.

Cheers,

Cindy 

11:59pm • #9
AUG
06
2007

I appreciate every response I got - glad to see that it provoked a good discussion...

Janice - thank you SO MUCH - your words made my day!!

11:07am • #10

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Sveta Melchuk (www.home-staging-montreal.com)

Montreal, QC

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Home Staging Montreal (HSM)

Address: 5716 Westluke, CSL, QC, H4W 2N4

Office Phone: (514) 482-9776

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