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"What are your hours?"...

Home Stager with Round Rock Home Stager Austin Home Staging

September 09, 2008 02:00 AM

"What are your hours?" - I never really thought about it until I was asked... Almost every storefront business has work hours posted, so why shouldn't I? It is important to me to set some guidelines for my business because at my previous job, I came in early and worked late every day. Rarely ever took a lunch away from my desk. Typical work-a-holic stuff. This had a ripple effect into my family life - and we do not want to go back to that. Thank the Man Upstairs, that stress is gone!

If I had to say what my hours are, it would go some thing like this:

I am available by phone:
Monday through Friday, starting at 8am (after drop offs) through 7pm
Weekends, 10am through 5pm
I am available for consultations, schedule permitting, all week, including evenings and weekends.
I am available for Staging - schedule permitting - after a signed contract and deposit are delivered.

Here's my Dirty little secret: I "try" not to schedule work on Fridays. I do not want to call it my day off, because if there is work to be done, I need to do it whether it is Friday or not. The reason I try to block Friday on my calendar is so that I can tend to some of the domestic issues that get put off when both parents work. This then frees up the weekend for family time or any Staging Consultations if needed. At the bare minimum, when I am working on Saturday, my wife does not have to drag the kids to the grocery store, as the shopping is done.

Realistically, Self-employed people are working almost every waking hour of the day, whether you realize it or not. When my wife and I decided it was time to make the jump to Home Staging full time, it was very important for me to avoid the work habits I had developed. We would rather make less money and have more enjoyable time as a family than be rolling in the Consultations & Stagings and being stressed out. Mainly, we are trying to maintain a balance between our happiness, her career as a Nurse Practitioner, and a successful/profitable Staging company.

So, What are your hours? Have you thought about them?

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Sandra Hughes

Redesigned Spaces - Northern Virginia - Fairfax, VA

Redesigned Spaces - Fairfax County, Virginia

Right now I pretty much available 24/7 until I can get my business built up. Once that happens I plan not working on weekends except for high paying jobs or special circumstances.

Sep 09, 2008 04:38 AM

Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging

Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR

"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

It sounds like you've come up with a schedule that works to balance both your career and your family life -- it's a challange for most of us to find what works well. My hours (as posted on my website) are 9am to 6pm Monday thru Saturday. However, most of the time I don't schedule consultations or stagings on the weekends. I'm a former workaholic too and I vowed "never again" -- but as a small business owner you do what you need to!

Sep 09, 2008 04:51 AM

j r

International, IT

Always outline your hours of operation very clearly from the start ,its better to give a client that extra special feeling from "Look I am here on my weekend or my time off to help you out" makes a better impression then 24/7 ;)

Sep 09, 2008 07:54 AM

Michael Fontana

Round Rock Home Stager Austin Home Staging - Round Rock, TX

@ The Stage Coach

thanks for stoppin by, All:

Sandra: That's what I used to say... But you do not want to give some one the impression that they can call you at 5pm and expect you at the house in an hour. My 2 Cents on the 'always ready': it can sound more like "need the work".

One that note: A client called me after 10pm one night and I let it go to voice mail. Turns out an air mattress was deflating (it had just been placed the day before). First thing I did was buy a new one and drive out and replace it. When I called to inform them that I was on my way (I did not want to phone them at 6am when I listened to the message), he was upset that I did not answer my phone. What was I supposed to do after 10pm on a week night? Nowhere in my contract does it reflect 24x7x4hr service. I was at their home by 10am. Less than 12 hours. That is darn good service (at no extra charge) if you ask me.

Maureen: Yes - it's all about the balance.You do what is needed, but I keep an eye on the price we are paying in other areas of your life as part of our decision process. Bottom line is important, but the family's happiness is as well.

Jean-Marie: Nice point - thanks for chiming in. I like the 'here on my weekend'...

One more point: I am not trying to make it sound like I turn business away because it does not meet my schedule. It's just that I learned quickly that if you give some one too many options, like, 'whenever you need me', they are less likely to make a decision and more likely to walk all over you. If you tell them, I am available Tuesday morning and Wednesday evening, you are giving them options, but still maintaining control of the situation. I think I learned this on A/R actually. :)

Thanks for reading,

The Stage Coach Home Stager Austin Home Staging Round Rock Home Stager

Sep 09, 2008 08:11 AM

Cindy Bryant

Redesign Etc. Home Staging - Houston, TX

"Houston Home Staging Pros"

I'm afraid I crossed the work-aholic line a long time ago. My hours are crazy!

Sep 09, 2008 04:45 PM

Cathy Lee

CL Design Services Home Staging - Danville, CA

ASP, IAHSP, RESA Danville, CA

HI! I have one scheduled day off every week that I spend watching my three grandboys. It is my favorite day of the week. Any Realtor, Affiliate or Vendor that refers business to me knows this and respects it. I also reserve Sundays for consultations after I have attended church. My husband is a Realtor and he is usually showing property, so it is a good day for consults or destages. I rarely work at night but I strive to be flexible and accomodating.

Sep 09, 2008 06:25 PM

Kathy Riggle

STAGING SMART N SOLD - Houston, TX

Houston Home Staging

Michael-

While I take calls at all hours, I will not work evenings. Weekends yes- if I have not made plans. I don't break my word on any commitments, be they business or personal.

Sep 28, 2008 11:20 AM

Debbie Wheeler

Real Estate Staging/Rooms Rearranged, LLC - Chandler, AZ

Chandler, AZ Rooms Rearranged RESA, IRIS

Michael - My hours are pretty much from the time I open my eyes in the morning, until I close them at night. If I am not staging or consulting, I am on the computer doing things that pertain to my business. Don't get me wrong.....if I want a day off to play, I will schedule it somehow. That is the beauty of owning your own business. My children are older so that helps but I do need time for those grand-babies. Make time for your family - you never get it back. Good luck to you.

Sep 28, 2008 11:34 AM

Terrylynn Fisher

Dudum Real Estate Group - BuyStageSell.com - Walnut Creek, CA

HAFA Certified, EcoBroker, CRS, CSP Realtor, Etc.

Yes, hum, Chris comes in in the am and I'm already at the computer in my jammies sometimes and here it's 12:30 pm and I've just finished a counter offer and sent it off to the other agent. SO, sometimes round the clock. BUT during the daytime hours between 3 and 7 I often pop in at my grandkids soccer games or help with homework or something. I like to be available when they are. But it doesn't always work that way. I try.

Sep 28, 2008 07:28 PM

Marianne Sweet

Home Sweet Home Staging - Rochester Hills, MI

Home Sweet Home Staging, LLC Rochester Hills, MI

I turn my phone off around 8pm every night. I don't think that is unreasonable at all. I turn it back on at 8am. I'm surprised at how many calls I get on Saturday and Sunday mornings. It cracks me up when people say "OH! I didn't expect you to answer....I was just going to leave a message".

Sep 28, 2008 11:18 PM

Virginia Tatseos

Stage-Show-Sell - Bloomfield Township, MI

I make up my schedule as I go. Tun off my phone when I've had enough. I "Scheduled" for the kids football games etc.

I've found that clients like to know when you can see them not necessarily when are your hours.

Sep 29, 2008 07:29 AM

Karen Otto

Home Star Staging - Plano, TX

Plano Home Staging, Dallas Home Staging, www.homes

Hi Michael, I agree, self employment is a 24/7 task because we're always thinking of it - I work with my client's schedules and advertise 9 - 5 M-F but will work evenings - only consults and the last one I'll schedule is at 7 PM no later and weekends up until noon - again consults only unless I am destaging or doing a small vacant job. I like to say I'm flexible but know my limits with family and other committments as well.

Sep 29, 2008 09:52 AM

Michelle Minch

Moving Mountains Design Home Staging, Pasadena, CA - Los Angeles, CA

Home Staging Los Angeles and Orange County, CA

Michael: I stage only Monday thru Friday 8am - 5 pm, although I will occassionally drop off an extra piece on the weekend. I usually wind up working on the weekends as sometimes that is the only time clients are available to meet and I try to catch up on paperwork. I often finish the week wishing I had one more day or a few more hours in the day to accomplish more.

Sep 29, 2008 03:49 PM

Lori Kim Polk

Premiere Home Staging : Home Staging Services - Roseville, CA

Home Stager - Roseville, Sacramento

Michael. When you are starting out I would say 24/7. After a while you can weed out what really is important. You do have to decide with yourself exactly what you want to be available for. Once you have an established REA base, I would cut the phone to 9:00pm and "maybe" sundays. It all centers around what your main base is.......... do they believe in down time or not? And then... what YOU want to continue with.

Sep 29, 2008 03:53 PM

Michael Fontana

Round Rock Home Stager Austin Home Staging - Round Rock, TX

@ The Stage Coach

Thanks for posting, Everyone! I am surprised this one got bumped up again!

I think of it this way - the first time I answer the phone at 10pm for some one, every time after that they are going to expect me to answer the phone that late. One thing I learned in the computer industry: There's always going to be one Jacka**. I mean, if the airbed in a home is deflated at 10pm at night, what is the point in running out to a 24hr Walmart, buy a new one and run it over? Some one showing houses at 2am? It can be tended to first thing in the morning.

It cracks me up when people call a low air-mattress an emergency. When my wife was a floor nurse, she would run 'Codes' - you know, prevent people from dying. THAT is an emergency. I do my best to tend to any issues as quickly as possible.

Right now my Staging Services agreement does not offer 24x7x4 Service - that's computer geek lingo for "It will be responded to within 4 hours, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I need to add some thing to my contract stating that issues will be attended to within a reasonable time frame... My reasonable time frame.

And I answer my phones whenever they ring before 8pm, with the exception of dinner time, or any other planned family event. If we are just sitting around, I take the call. If I am at Ballet class or helping with homework - it goes to voicemail.

The Stage Coach Home Stager Austin Home Staging Round Rock Home Stager

Oct 02, 2008 01:33 AM

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