what do you do when a client breaks a prop

Sandra:

Yes, you need to put clauses in your contract to protect your assets.  You can hire an attorney or talk to your peers and "borrow" their contract to use for ideas. 

You (we) need to have something in your contract for that type of thing.  I would at least charge what you paid for the item and possible shopping time to replace.

Sandra: As stated above, you need to have a contract that allows you to collect full replacement value (cost to purchase plus time, gas, etc.) for items that are damaged, lost or stolen. I get a security deposit as part of my contract and the above losses are deducted before the security deposit is returned.

Sandra:

I'm with Michelle. I collect a refundable security deposit and deduct for damage, etc. Have you already tried to clean it? Cleaning fee comes out of sec dep before the final cost of rug if permanently damaged. It's always the favorite thing!

I will smack him. haha just kidding, but you thought about it, didn't you? I will charge him the dollar amount that will cost you to replace it, so however much that means for you. Some people do it by retail, some do it retail + shopping time. But like Michelle says, you need that in your contract first. I have had mystery stains before and I did charge the sellers for them.

Cheers,

Cindy 

I do the same.  I have it stipulated in my contract what happens if props are damaged or broken.  I usually do retail plus cost of time to re-purchase.  It also depends on the item.

WHoa, you put your props into lived-in houses with children?  You are brave.  I have never done that and I don't want to do that, but never say never, right.  I even hesitate at putting my inventory into lived-in homes without children.  Does everyone do this?  I use what they have, make suggestions for purchases and leave my stuff for the vacants or a tidy couple (maybe). 

My contract does cover theft, damages and breakage, plus an itemized list of all props left in the house, so that they know the retail value of what they are dealing with.  Most are really surprised and impressed at the overall value and investment that I put into their houses.  In my most recent job the realtor was shocked that this was in my contract and that she was responsible but she wants my services so she signed and paid.  I think that it's part of being a professional. 

DO NOT suck it up and swallow the cost and replacement...I really don't think that any client would expect that, want it yes, but not expect it.   

If you are going to put rugs in homes where people live I would add that to the cost of staging (You just bought yourself a rug) mentality.  If not, I would have to pay to have the rugs cleaned as not only are the homeowners walking on them everyday, but every Realtor and potential buyer is too.  The cost of cleaning is huge and I would have to add this to the fee I charge also.  Most of the time in vacant homes I can vacuum a rug and use it a couple of times before I need to have it cleaned.  I no longer use high end rugs unless the owner insists (they pay for it too)as the cost is just too high.  When I approach a seller about a rug that is needed in  a home they are living in I always have them pay for the rug up front.  I don't rent rugs to homeowners that live in the home anymore.  The first time you make one pay for an item, the quality of your work in their eyes just diminished.  If the client hasn't offered to pay or replace the rug, then add it to your lessons learned because if you force the issue they wont remember that thier home sold in 2 weeks and for top dollar, they will remember that you made them pay for a rug that was ruined and word of mouth in this market is important.  If they had paid for the rug up front they probably wouldn't have let the child have things on the rug that could stain it in the first place. 

I am sure we all have horror stories to tell, but live, learn, and share, 

I hope I have helped,

Sherry

 

Thanks, everyone, who commented.  I found it helpful to read how others handle this situation.  I only place my inventory of furniture and accessories in vacant homes.  If I am staging occupied, then part of the contract is a 'prop budget' which includes the price of the item (includes a 10% surcharge) I purchased for this job.  This prop budget is part of the fee I charge.  When I walk out the door after the work is done and the bill is paid, the props belong to the seller.