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When do you pay for someone second guessing your expertise?

By
Home Stager with Decor Staging

We've all been  there. We are hired to do a job and then spend time convincing our clients that yes we really do know what we're talking about. It's a frustrating part of doing business and I suppose we can expect it to happen to some degree. However, it gets really difficult when the other person is convinced that they know more about your expertise then you do.

Staged Living Room for EichlerEichler Living Room Sofa

I am hired to stage homes to maximize their potential. It's a vital part of any Realtor's marketing strategy. It's usually pretty clear cut. I am diligent to bring out the home's character, style and time period in a fashionable and professional way.

However, every now and then questions arise. In this particular case it was about the height of the side tables to the sofa. Aren't they just a little too high? Don't they block the view out the windows? We want it changed out.

Eichler Family RoomAnd it continued into the family room. The requests would require hiring my moving crew again.

I have a clause in my contract for just this issue. I am more than willing to make design changes for an additonal fee. But the client doesn't want to pay any additional costs.

The staging fee was modest. The design serves the home well.

My question is this. Would you uphold your contract or appease a client at your own time and expense?

Tim Lorenz
TIM LORENZ - Elite Home Sales Team - Mission Viejo, CA
949 874-2247

It happens everyday in this field.  The homeowner wants to tell us how to do our job.

Jun 24, 2010 06:45 PM