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SOOOO FRUSTRATED!!!

By Kimberly Wester

Home Stager

September 13, 2007 11:33 AM

I know this stuff happens, but I am so frustrated I could scream!

I have been talking to a builder about staging one of his listings for about a month now. He has been easy to deal with, but other factors have slowed down the process and we finally worked out a deal. The contract is signed, the check is deposited (and cleared) and I was scheduled to deliver the inventory this evening. The trailer is packed and I have the skinned knuckles to prove I loaded it myself.

Two hours before I was scheduled to arrive, the builder calls and asks if we can postpone for a week or two. WHATT??!!! They received an offer today (it has been on the market for over a year) and want to put things on hold to see if the deal is legit. If not, they will proceed with staging when it is resolved.

All is not lost, though I may end up returning the fees, because he will be finishing another model soon and wants to have it staged BEFORE it goes on the market. But man, talk about the last minute!

I was so excited about staging this house. It is really nice, just needed some life breathed into it and I knew it was gonna look great. Now I have a whole trailer loaded and no where to take it. Anybody need a vacant staged?

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Abby Roselli

ALR Home Staging and Showcasing, LLC - Staten Island, NY

Staten Island Home Stager

Hey Kimberly, I had that 11th hour cancellation too. Thank goodness I had the furniture rental salesperson's cell # so she could call in to cancel the delivery scheduled for the next day. Since then, I've instituted the deposit to be non-refundable within 2 days of the scheduled staging day. That way, they can still say 'oops, I changed my mind' for whatever the reason is but I still get something for all the preparations made and the anxiety of cancelling everything that was scheduled. In their case, I'd charge a fee even to postpone---like Sheron said, a % (10%, 20%?). I charged my client $150.00 to postpone a $1,900. job, the night before I was due there. That was before I instituted a non-refundable deposit clause.

Sep 13, 2007 01:07 PM

Chuck Dellorto

Coldwell Banker - Serving INDIANA & ILLINOIS - Highland, IN

"Talk To Chuck"

Hi Kim,

I wish I had a vacant to sell. Actually I have a vacant coming on the market next week in Hammond but I already talked to her about providing your services and right now she is declining. I have been trying though.

I have a relo home in St. John that is immaculate (but I think your touch would help). I talked to the seller to see if they would be willing for you to stop by. I will keep you posted.

Take care.

Sep 13, 2007 01:21 PM

Kathy Nielsen

http://atlantahomestaging.net - Marietta, GA

Atlanta Georgia Home Stager

I could use that inventory! Come on down to Atlanta and we'll home stage a home together (smile).

Kathy

Sep 13, 2007 01:26 PM

Margaret Ann Innis

Decorate To Sell - Merrimack Valley Real Estate Staging - Andover, MA

Real Estate Staging - MA & NH

This is good news for your builder! So it should be good news for you, too! He will be able to move his property and get on with his business - share his success! Unpack the trailer, have a glass of wine and celebrate! Anything UAG in this market is a godsend!

Sep 13, 2007 01:31 PM

Cindy Lin

Staged4more School of Home Staging - South San Francisco, CA

Host, The Home Staging Show podcast

I agree with the ladies. It sucks but that's why there is the "restocking/cancellation fee" in our contracts ;) But now he will stage his second project with you, and that's fabulous!

Cheers,

Cindy

Sep 13, 2007 03:00 PM

Amanda Woodall

Transistional Designs, LLC - O'Fallon, IL

Transitional Designs, LLC

We also have a nonrefundable fee we charge for last minute cancellations. This is to cover any rental fees we will be hooked with, and any special items we have to go out and purchase for the home. I can feel your frustration!!!

Sep 13, 2007 03:00 PM

David L. Britt

Platinum Realty, LLC - Olathe, KS

MBA

Kimberly, I may not understand your frustration from a staging point of view, but I can surely feel the pain from a realtor point of view. I have had a buyer pull out the day of closing after showing homes for several weeks, writing 3 other contracts on homes only to have something happen to each deal. I finally gave him the boot! Not worth the hassle any longer. I trust you will be better off than I!

Sep 13, 2007 03:43 PM

Jackson West

Reveal Estate Home Staging - Vancouver - Vancouver, BC

Kimberly this happened to me last month just when everything was actually delivered to the property. They decided that morning that they were going to wait 3 more weeks before putting it on the market. My contract states that once signed it cannot be canceled so I did not refund their money but did offer to give them a break on the renewal fee. Since then my contract has been amended (yet gain) and now if the property is not prepared as discussed (and documented) there is a daily charge until it is. Live and learn.

Sep 13, 2007 04:03 PM

Betty Haney

Haney Consulting - Calgary, AB

Kimberly, quick - jump into your truck and haul your trailer up to Calgary. Do you think you can be here by 9:30 tomorrow morning? LOL Would love to have your inventory to stage with. Kimberly, I am happy you will be staging his new model - and before it goes on the market. Betty

Sep 13, 2007 04:42 PM

Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging

Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR

"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Kimberly,

This is important for all stagers, but especially new ones, to read. You might consider posting it in the Newbie Stagers group also. My policy is to collect a deposit upon signing of the staging agreement; clients may cancel the staging 24 hrs before it's scheduled to begin and receive a refund. After that, the deposit is non-refundable due to the expenses incurred. But I might also consider a partial refund based on the individual circumstances. I would hate to have the entire trailer loaded though -- ouch!

Sep 13, 2007 06:04 PM

Carol Ellis

Luxury-Domain to Home Stage - Charlottesville, VA

Kimberly, this really sucks!!! I agree with everyone who has the cancellation fee provision in the staging contract. In my case, because i cannot load the stuff myself I would have been out $500.00 and I do not eat that kind of cash myself. I would have refunded less the $500.00! Period.

09/14/2007 Carol R. Ellis----Luxury Domain to Home Stage

Sep 13, 2007 11:15 PM

Melissa Marro

Keller Williams First Coast Realty - The Marro Team - Orange Park, FL

Jacksonville Real Estate and Home Staging

I had 2 bids yesterday, one for $700K, one for $3.3M, and two for today, $995K, and $1.5K.... I have the furniture for the first 2, but these two I don't think I can accomodate without doing a lot of shopping... do you think it'll work for either of them today? lol...

Sep 14, 2007 12:44 AM

Kimberly Wester

Valparaiso, IN

Thanks, everyone for the encouragement and advice. I agree that I need to have a cancellation fee in my contract - actually I thought I did. I will now, that's for sure. This may not be a cancellation after all - the builder is asking for a postponement only. He is skeptical of the deal, so he has asked me to just hold off. He doesn't want to go through the whole process again if it falls apart. We'll see...

As for all of you needing my inventory - I wish I could help you out...or would we be helping each other? LOL

Chuck - You are so sweet! I would love to take a look at your relo house either way. Thanks.

Sep 14, 2007 01:47 AM

Kathleen Garvey

HomeSmart Cherry Creek - Denver - Denver, CO

Denver's Neighborhood Expert - Listings & Sales

Sending you a hug and good thoughts Kimberly!! It would be a nice thought if we all were able to quickly fly to help one another! Hang in there and adjust your cancellation fee as needed!! Regards-Kathleen

Sep 14, 2007 02:15 AM

Yvonne Root

rooms b.y. root - Prescott, AZ

Home Stager - Northern Arizona

Kim, And here I was fussing because my potential client postponed our meeting to look over his property by one day. I take it back. This is worse. I agree with Sheron Cardin. Restocking fees make sense to me. I've paid them myself.

Sep 14, 2007 03:49 AM

Sandra Hughes

Redesigned Spaces - Northern Virginia - Fairfax, VA

Redesigned Spaces - Fairfax County, Virginia

I have a cancellation clause that says if the seller cancels 3 days prior to the staging date I keep 50% of the fee, which I have already collected as a deposit. However, if I have not gone to any trouble and there is no problem in cancelling the help I might refund more, although this is not written in.

Sep 14, 2007 08:34 AM

Janice Sutton

1st Stage Property Transformations - Murrieta, CA

Home Stager - Temecula Murrieta

Kim - I feel your pain. It really stinks when this happens. I don't have a cancellation policy in my contract. Thanks for sharing your experience it has helped me to realize I need to update my contract. Live and learn!

Sep 14, 2007 09:28 AM

Phyllis Pafumi

ReStyled to Sell Home Staging New Jersey - Old Bridge, NJ

ReStyled to Sell Staging Homes NJ

Hey Kim, what was the outcome, did he finally sell it. THis is awful because I know all too well that you killed yourself shopping, piecing together your inventory and then packing it all after that. How many sleepless nights did you spend designing that home as well. There is a small paragraph in my contract about cancellation, needing notice 14 days in advance. But then again, what was the builder suppose to do, he did get an offer.

This happened to me while I was about to give a consultation, they got an offer 2 days before. Not the same thing, but hey at least they got an offer. Consider updating the contract.

Did you get his other house?

Phylis Pafumi

Oct 02, 2007 01:31 PM

Toronto's 2 Hounds Design: Decorating + Staging

2 Hounds Design + Home Staging - Toronto, ON

Hi Kimberly, congratulations on the contract even if you don't stage this particular one for the builder.

I was going to suggest you add a 'restocking fee' but I see Sheron beat me to it!

Oct 02, 2007 02:01 PM

Kimberly Wester

Valparaiso, IN

Phyllis - We are still 'on hold'. They received an earnest check, but they are dealing with an overseas buyer, so....He has yet to complete the next house. :(

Dane and Everyone else..thanks!

Oct 02, 2007 02:22 PM