Security Issues With Staging Vacant Homes

Dale ~ This seems a bit odd to me -- You do carry insurance for your inventory, right?  If so, the client should not be concerned with security.  My staging insurance covers my inventory whether it's in a vacant home, an occupied home, my vehicle, or in storage.  In my service contract, all of this is covered and the client agrees to be responsible for my deductible in case of loss.  I've never yet had a complaint about this arrangement in several years.

I've done quite a few vacants and have never run across that.  The only thing I caution the homeowner or builder about is putting electronics in the home.  That came up yesterday when I bid on a vacant.  Also, not being allowed to hang wall art really limits you.  Although the end result was not quite as dramatic as you had hoped, I'm sure it showed much better with what you were able to put in the home.  Bummer.

Dale, I have never had this issue.  I have been limited on hanging artwork in a few vacants because they did not want holes in the wall.  Which is pretty silly since the holes can be repaired very inexpensively and artwork is the icing on the cake.

Hi Dale.. This biz seems to be one that is always challenging us!.. I guess this is why we love it so much ??  ..

I have had a few things stolen from the outside entrance of one house and it was a sad wake up call.

 I have four vacant properties staged at the present time. Only one of them has a security system. And YES, it makes me worry.

I just finished a really lovely vacant where the homeowners had spent a lot of time filling in hundreds of nail holes and meticulously matching the paint. So here I come with my pictures and they were not happy about me wanting to put new holes in their pristine walls!... BUT, they relented when I promised to make sure any damage was rrepaired when the staging came out. I think it's VERY important to make your clients understand the importance of art on the walls! Even Motel 6 has art on the walls!

Has anyone tried those hanger things that are removeable ?..

Anne & Dale ~ Jumping back in here ... about leaving small nail holes in the walls: Most staging contracts address this, stating that the client is responsible (not the stager) for filling in any holes.  When it's in the contract, clients accept this as part of the process and it leaves a clear understanding of who does any necessary repair work.  Last year there were several good posts written here on A/R about hanging art without nails ... you might try a Search and see if you can find them?

I do tons of vacants.  I carry insurance in case of theft or fire.  It is risky, but I think what happens is if the homeowners still have homeowners insurance, it would first go to them, and if they don't then my insurance would cover it.  I'm also bonded, which is if I'm staging and I break something, or scratch the floor or something goes missing and I am blamed for it.  I'm afraid to say I've been lucky and have not run into any problems yet, but I'm afraid I'll jinks myself.  Good luck and have fun.

featured in the group Real World Home Staging for Newbies!  Great issue

Glad to read you are getting a good policy which is vital in this business. 

I have had builders request only one nail in each room-it is very limiting-but we have to have happy clients.

Hi Cathy, one thing that hasn't been mentioned here in the comments, you said this was your first vacant staging, do you HAVE that much inventory?  The reason I ask is that if you were going to bring in rental furniture from an outside contractor (such as Brooks or Cort) they carry their OWN damage waiver insureance, which also covers theft.  It's usually part of the monthly fee, but your insurance should also cover your items and accessories as well.

As for artwork on the walls, I've only had that happen once.

I have used the nailess strips on a concrete wall and it worked well but it was a light canvas print...not sure about heavier pieces.

I would also stress how important the art is and that buyers typically look past a few " little" holes. Bigger or an excesive amount of holes can be a problem though, keep it to a minimum.

Yes, I did have one of my vacants broken into. They had intended to steal the flat screen TV until they realized it was a prop. the only thing thet took were a few bottles of wine. I also had one of my investment properties broken into, again the wine and they messed up a few beds but nothing else was taken. I now put at least one light on a timer set to go on and off sporadically for my vacants so it appears as if their is some activity.

I've had really good success using the 3-M hooks that pull-away when you are through with them.  I had to hang a painting on a paneled wall last week, and the 3-M hook made the builder very happy.  I've been using them for several years and have never had anything fall.  Of course, you aren't going to hang a mirror or a heavy piece with them, but most things are fine!

Plaster walls can chip.  Sometimes the homeowner fears huge/several holes in the wall. If you use blue tape and a hercules hook, the little hole can be plugged with toothpaste and a dab of paint.  I would not rely on the 3-M hooks unless it is a super smooth surface.  Show them the size of the Hercules hook and they should change their mind on hanging artwork that will accent their home and the staging that will sell their home. :)

This is a great post.  As a newbee to staging I wondered about this.

Dale:  I have staged over 1,300 properties and have never had a problem with theft except maybe a small accessory or towel.  I maintain my own insurance which covers my inventory and staff fully.  I very rarely have inquiries about insuraces.  If you are a professional staging company and you have a great reputation in your city, believe me, agents will talk about your service.. good or bad.  Always "CYA" when in any property.  If something can go wrong it will.  I use light timers put on different times to go on and off throughout the property.

Hi Dale - I seldom have anyone tell me they don't want me to hang pictures but when I do, I share the "30 mile an hour rule" with them. The first time buyers go through a home for sale, they only get a broad brush perspective of the property. If you can get them to fall in love at 30 miles an hour (which I believe requires that we stage in the high, medium and low areas of each room - hard to do without using art), then a buyer is NOT going to care about a few tiny nail holes when they are paying hundreds of thousands of dollars for a property they love.

I also use timers on all table and floor lamps. This adds subtle warmth, in addition to helping with security issues.