So how can staging a vacant house be viable in any way except in high end markets?  I can't see how a normal staging that would cost around $400 would be less than $1500 for this type of staging.  Is it economically viable?

For those in the unglamorous world of vacant home staging with their own inventory add:

Shopping for more furniture because all of yours is out - or you just don't have the exact thing for the space.

Shopping for just the right rug, pillows, accessories to compliment the paint color because you just don't have the right thing in your warehouse. (For us perfectionists)

Wrapping/padding all of your furniture so it does not get damaged in transit and stays looking new and fresh. (Repeat process when unstaging)

Unwrapping/unpadding all your furniture before set up.

Joan Inglis, Charlotte, NC IAHSP Chapter President

You can add:  Staffing and sceduling of assistants, instalations such as draperies and window treatments (in some properties), STEAMING & IRONING of linens the night before or day of staging, cost of food, gas & supplies, Project Managment of upgrades such as flooring, painting, lighting, etc,  hmmm~ I'm sure I'll think of more.... 

You need to copy this to the blog, "Does staging in ...FL make sence?"  It's mentioned in a response that, "for something that only takes a couple of hours of placing props..." I replied - HAH!

...or you could just call a professional and have them stage it for you.  Cost?  Around $600.00.  Well worth it. 

What would something like this cost for a 1700 to 2000 sq ft home? I assume there is a charge to set up and take it down as well as a monthly charge (furniture rental)

Also

Who is responsible when the furniture is stolen from the home?... (notice I said when, not if)

Ron the cost varies by stagers.  Furniture Rental here cost about $150 per room, per month.    We usually do 3 or 4 rooms and the rest we use air-beds and misc items to fill the bedrooms.  As far a theft, make sure your stager has insurance, which covers this! 

Becky

Cindy,

I know the shopping and the trips back and forth can get crazy.   The one thing thats no one thinks of is hauling all the stuff that a normal occupied house would have.  Like an ironing board, an iron or steamer, a vacumn cleaner, a broom and dustpan, rags, just the stupid little stuff you need for spills and dusty tables, and fuzzy rugs. 

Good post.

I notice alot more realtors commenting on the blogs now that a few months back.  Not always in a postive light, but I find it very helpful to hear where they are coming from.  It teaches us to grow!

Becky

You're right about the manicure!  Fuggedaboutit!

Add:  Be sure all lamps have bulbs and WORK!  Julie

Great post!!  You can add making sure any new items purchased for the job are included in your inventory list.  Staging - especially vacant staging - is not glamorous!  It is a labor of love.  LOL

Don't forget the extension cords, tape of ALL kinds, velcro, glue, stapler...and I love ZOTS...there is awas something you have to tweak! 

Ron, I think it depends on what services you offer, and if you own your inventory, etc.

Joan, Yes, how could I forget the endless hours of shopping, great point!

Connie, vacant homes take so much longer, than an occupied, but people think the cost for the service should be the same, they don't see all of the behind the scenes work.

Jon, I agree it should be done by a professional, it sounds like you've had it done before.

Ron, most stagers either charge a flat fee or work on an hourly basis.  Homeowners insurance should cover it, but home stagers should have their own insurance as well.

Thanks, Becky for giving Ron that information.

Great list?  May I borrow it?

Kim Dillon, Creative Eye Home Staging

Yes, of course, feel free to use.

Hi Cindy,  I love this post!  It is so true that staging is actually NOT glamorous, but we love it anyway!  The glamorous part is what the homes look like after we stage them.  I'll add to your list:  Starbuck's coffee and treats for the crew.  We have to keep our helpers happy!

No matter how I try, indeed I my SUV always looks like Jed Clampett is coming to town.  The photographed example is not far from reality.

In Katy TX, you'd be amazed what can be done for $1200!   It's not only economically viable for me, the stager, the R.O.I. for the seller is fabulous because their house gets bids (generally) within 14 days.   I get to turn my staging package 10 times a year, Realtors increase their volume, costs are kept to a minimum - everybody's happy.

As far as liability is concerned:  I believe a flipped home would have to have a special rider on their insurance policy to cover furnishings.   Most flippers get basic insurance which doesn't cover contents.  For a recently vacated home, most sellers don't change their coverage, but the duty of the Insurer is to protect the seller's personal property.   Without an articulated inventory and leasing agreement I believe that most Insurers won't cover the loss of the staging inventory.

In our contracts we specifically articulate the client's liability, and we also limit our own liability to $200 (in case of damage to their property).   Whether the client is insured or not, they are responsible for exercising due diligence, and for returning the furnishings and accessories in as found condition.   The theft that we have encountered thus far, has been surprising.  It's not the little stuff that wanders, it's been a couple of huge floral arrangements.   In both cases a Realtor had to let the thief in and let the thief out!  No doors were unlocked, and no other (more pawnable) items were taken.

Good post!  (How's the library going?)

Cindy, great post and  I agree with Diana " The glamorous part is what the homes look like after we stage them".

WOW ! That is one comprehensive list - I will keep this handy so I can show the client the justification behind the price. Well done!

Great Blog, Cindy. Although we love staging vacants it is definitely more time consuming and alot more labor intensive than staging occupieds. You have to really love it.

What it REALLY takes to stage a vacant home, and what MUST be added to the list is.......many doses of Ibuprofen!

$8.00 for a bottle of 750 tablets at Costco........about a 6-month supply for me!!  The best investment in my business I can possibly make:)

Hi Cindy -

You can add e-mailing the pictures to the Realtor at the end of the day and inputting inventory into a computer program. Usually there is a trip in there somewhere to purchase some small item that you forgot like a throw, candles, etc. Great post!

Diana-Starbucks is a must all around!

Tom-Really, that picture is not too far from the truth!

Patty-Absolutely, it's certainly not schelping stuff outside in 100% humidity, and 3 flights of stairs!

Gabriele-Good idea, and I'm sure we can add to it.

Tanya-It is extremely labor intensive.

Marianne-I second that, I use Alleve!

Kelly-Yes, sorting through the pics and the computer work is part of the dreaded admin. part.