How to Choose a Home Staging Professional -- Essential questions to Ask
aka Man cannot shop by price alone
Like most weekday mornings, I walked my youngest to the bus stop the other morning. While we waited for the big yellow behemoth to arrive, I was absently watching a few other children throw snowballs on the road as they'd excitedly shout when a car tire would cause it to explode on impact.
Looking at the little hooligans boys, I took notice of their outerwear. All the major ski brands were represented, except by one kid who was wearing a perfectly decent jacket from a big box store.
It got my mind to thinking . . . what compels the proverbial "us" to spend more money on a specific brand, than the least expensive product available that meets our needs?
Or for that matter, why spend more at the grocery store -- or even choose one supermarket over another -- to buy essentially the same looking fruit?
Why pay for a $50 haircut, when you can get one for $14.95?
Most of us know the answer to these questions. These choices represent more to us than the actual end product or service. And of course, we absolutely believe there is more to it than just pure vanity and image obsession.
Any Mercedes owner will passionately defend their purchase as giving them more peace of mind, safety and security, and that their purchase is a better long-term investment.
It's quality.
It only took one disaster house move for my husband and I to learn that age-old lesson -- you get what you pay for. You really should toss out that lowest bid!
The same is true in the world of Home Staging. People tell me that prices are all over the map. And because it is such unfamiliar territory for most home owners, they are prudently getting those 3 bids before making a decision. I would do the same!
But how do you compare, um (excuse the pun) apples to apples? How do you make sure you don't get a lemon?
Ask questions! Certification is a good start for choosing a Home Stager, but realize that there is no regulating or "certifying" body in the Home Staging industry! These are often just certificates given out from the proprietor of the course that the Home Stager took.
Move on to experience. Obviously some kind of artistic flare is necessary for the job, but what do they know about real estate? Making a home look good, and making it flow for a showing -- drawing the eye where you want it to go, and away from where you don't! -- are two different things. It's not just about nice "contemporary décor".
Include questions about business insurance, quality movers (that won't damage your floors or walls), alliances with other professionals and (drum roll) customer service. Testimonials are a big part of a Home Stager's marketing. Make sure they are real.
And . . . don't forget to ask about the Home Stager's portfolio. Does their website contain "stock" photography? (You'd be surprised!) Are these photos from actual client jobs? And while we're at it, how do those photos look? If they are selling "professional photography", make sure they have a professional doing the photography! Just because you pay for it, doesn't make it professional.
At GreenApple, we look forward to answering these questions for potential clients in Calgary, AB. We not only love what we do, but have enjoyed the success of a job well done. We have many repeat clients that will happily tell you how we went above and beyond, delivering an exceptional product with professional service.
Put us to the test!
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