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Staging, Who are we staging for and Budgets

By Isabel Gomes

Home Stager with Gomes Design

October 24, 2007 09:19 AM

Since May I have had 30 consults and have staged 3 homes. A lot more than I expected. Each one has been successful so far. I'll have to upload pictures when I can get it to work.

I have noticed that the majority of home sellers are middle working class and have a very limited budget. Most are willing to do all the work themselves. So I give them as much of the info I can in my report, because very few are going to have you stage.

It is very important when we consult with them that we not only do our site evaluation and report but actively educate our clients about staging and marketing their house. People want to know the why's. This get's them thinking and also reflects on you as a professional who knowledgable about their field.

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Gary Bland

Century 21 All Islands - Lahaina, HI

I just had one staged here in Hawaii. I would like to get your email to view the pictures. I need your opinion for free. I will also include this furniture is for sale and that opinion is also needed.

Oct 24, 2007 09:29 AM

Chris and Maria Jeantet

Shasta Living Real Estate - Redding, CA

Top Realtors in Redding CA

do you get paid for the consults? It seems like 3 out of 30 is low but then again this may be normal. Is money the primariy reason for sellers not to have you do the full blown work of staging?

Oct 24, 2007 09:31 AM

Todd Moeller

Seven Gables Real Estate - Anaheim Hills, CA

I only have done 1 stage. It looked real good but I guess it depends on the budget

Oct 24, 2007 11:23 AM

Jackie Peraza

Perceptions AdverStaging(TM), LLC - Framingham, MA

Home Stager - Framingham, Massachusetts

Isabel- I enjoy offering (paid) consults to existing home owners that are motivated to do the work themselves. Do you offer to go back to fine tune the staging after they are finished? How about offering to take the best shot of each room using a wide angle lens for the MLS? There are a miriad of other add -on options available to home owners that opt for consult.

It sounds like you're having fun with those consults and I'm looking forward to your staging photo's.

Oct 24, 2007 04:37 PM

Val Allocco

Staged 2 Sell New York & Long Island - Northport, NY

HSE; ASHSR - Home Stager, for Manhattan, Brooklyn & Long Island

Isabel,

You are so right about educating the sellers and explaining the 'whys' of what we suggest when we give consultation reports! When the client understands the reasoning behind the changes, they are more likely to follow the recommendations.

VAL

Oct 25, 2007 06:49 AM

Michelle Minch

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

Home Staging Los Angeles and Orange County, CA

Isabel: Correct me if I am wrong, but you did 30 PAID consults and 3 PAID home stagings. Consults are not to be confused with going to look at a house to give an estimate, true? I think you must be very good at what you do to get so many consultations. Congratulations!

Oct 25, 2007 09:49 AM

Laura Everett-Osiadacz

RE/MAX NW - Cle Elum, WA

Do you charge for educating the sellers to stage themselves? When going into homes that are staged. It always shows so much better. Especially in older homes where people might not imagine what all the funny little nooks and crannys can be used for and add a special uniqueness to a home.

Oct 25, 2007 09:55 AM

Kathy Riggle

STAGING SMART N SOLD - Houston, TX

Houston Home Staging

Paid consults are a niche in themselves, and I like Jackie's idea about offering to go back for tweaking and photos.

Oct 25, 2007 11:19 AM

Minnesota Home Staging Firm, Minnesota

Minnesota Home Staging Network~ MN's Top Home Staging Firm - Inver Grove Heights, MN

I agree Michelle, I think she is talking about paid consults. Right Isabel?

Oct 25, 2007 02:03 PM

Kathleen Lordbock

Keller Williams Realty Professionals - Baxter, MN

Keller Williams Realty Professionals

I give my clients the option of having me come back for a few hours - paid by the hour- to tweak, if they did the work after I did a paid consultation. I would then take the photos for free, edit and email them. They are still not usually as good as if my team had done the hands on.

Education is crucial to get a good response and to share a little of your knowledge. establishes you as the expert.

Oct 25, 2007 04:04 PM

Sandra Hughes

Redesigned Spaces - Northern Virginia - Fairfax, VA

Redesigned Spaces - Fairfax County, Virginia

Isabel,

Since you are giving so much info. in your consultation so the seller can stage the property themselves are you charging a higher price for the consultation then?

Oct 26, 2007 12:42 AM

Isabel Gomes

Gomes Design - London, ON

Interior Decorator, Stager - London, Ont

Yes, They are all paid consults. You should never do anything for free. You are worth your time. If a client has me come back and do any work I do not give back the consult fee. I am there to provide further services so I charge for that time.

I do not give estimates or free ones for that matter. If someone calls I tell them what I charge for the consult and what my hourly rate for staging and that accessories and furniture are extra. That's it.

I think it is very important to take the opportunity to educate about staging and it's benefits. If you are going in for a consult - by educating your clients its furthers their knowledge of the importance of marketing a house for sale. They may have you come in and do some additional staging and will likely refer you to some one else. (Don't forget to give them 2 business cards one to keep one to pass on). I don't sit down and educate, I do it while I do site evaluation.

It is very important to network. Shmooze. That's how the word gets around. Research and then join a group that you find will help you get referrals. Like a BNI, each group only has one of each group. They actively work on referring their members on to others.

I quite enjoy just doing consults. Low overhead. Less paperwork. etc. etc. I have just started my business and I know that it will take 3-5 years to have a thriving business.

You always have to consider budgets. You can not go into a house and expect someone to renovate and then remove all their belonging for you to come in and bring in furniture and accessories. That is not reality.

Oct 26, 2007 02:21 AM

Lea-Ann Virnig

Lea-Ann's Home Beautiful Staging and Design LLC - San Antonio, TX

Home Beautiful: San Antonionulls Premier , Home Staging Company

Isabel-

I too focus more on occupied home consultations where the homeowners do more of the work themselves. If they do want assistance I offer this at an hourly rate. Do you charge a flat consult fee or do you charge by the hour for the consultation? How long does a consultation typically take you? I agree educating homeowners and helping them work within their budgets is so key and they really appreciate it!

Oct 26, 2007 05:19 AM

penny white

Jacksonville, FL

Isabel,

This is very impressive, thanks for helping spread the word for all of us!

Penny W

Oct 29, 2007 06:00 AM

Heather Chotard

In Style - Edmonton, AB

Hey Isabel,

I agree with you about the paid consultations. Money is paid for me to walk through the door. I am not sure about if you do a "bid" I hear alot of stagers talking about this. But this is something I dont do. Or have yet to do. When they call me, and we speak, I know I have the job, once I book the consultation.

Usually by the time I get to the consultation, I know I have the staging job. I have only ever had one consultation that didnt turn into a staging job. But it was with the Realtor, and I got the feeling, he was fed up with the listing and his clients. the home is no longer on the market.

Nov 02, 2007 10:46 AM

Isabel Gomes

Gomes Design - London, ON

Interior Decorator, Stager - London, Ont

I charge a flat fee for a consultation and an hourly rate for staging. My consultations are now taking on average 1 - 2 hours at the most. I have templates for the reports. I find most of my clients want me to e-mail them their reports. So I now considering having the standard template of things to do. Then a a separate sheet to write specific things for each room. Like this the client can keep it and start working right away.

Heather, it seems out west the staging has really taken off. In London I still think it's taking it's time to take off. It will though I am sure.

Nov 05, 2007 02:00 PM