How to Choose a Successful, Reputable Home Stager

Another important tool for every stager/client relationship is a Staging Contract.  Our contract not only protects us -- it also explains carefully every expectation both parties have so there is no miscommunication.  

Great post. Great List.  It gave me something to measure my services by. I passed! Thanks.

It really hurts  all stagers when an agent finally decides to use a stager and he/she does't use this criteria to hire. Things don't go well and he/she has a negative outlook about staging.

Of course, the inverse is true as well.  Great experience. Repeat. 

Staging is so important to a home and yes a portfolio makes a big difference.

Great Poat!

Your work certainly speaks for itself Kristine....beautiful pictures with stunning before and after shots!  Staging truly can make or break a sale and how quickly that home sells.

A seasoned and successful stager will gladly produce all those things and more.

A stager’s portfolio should include only their own work and should represent what they can produce over an over. It should include a variety of projects so the client knows what they’re getting by working with you...one of my pet peeves is seeing photos from group projects where many stagers worked on the same house, in my opinion that is not an accurate representation of one stagers work.

Excellent post Christine!

Kristine,

This is valuable information, thanks for sharing.  These same principles can be used for any profession.  Your after picture definitely looks cleaner, more organized, and most importantly inviting and relaxing. 

Kristine - thanks for the guideline - very helpful!  Home staging is a big factor in selling - I will definitely start applying those guidelines when choosing a home stager. 

Hey Krystyna, you already have a home stager! :)   And I do have all of these qualifications.

However, I will humbly admit that occasionally my before and after pictures aren't the exact same angle.  Sometimes when I'm getting the "befores," I am in a hurry and forget to take from every corner, or the best "after" picture is just slightly different. 

2011 was our best year - every house we staged that wasn't previously on the market sold the first week for right at or above list price!

Kristine: Before & after photos speak volumes of talent. Your's is showing!

Kristine:

Another important item to consider is to make sure the stager has liability insurance that covers the homeowner in the event damage occurs to the home or someone is injured as a result of the staging. Also, it is very important that anyone the home stager employs in the staging is covered by workers comp insurance. Otherwise the homeowner may be on the hook for injured workers.

We make proof of staging insurance and workers comp insurance available to any clients that request it. It shows we are professionals and have the clients best interests at heart.

Concise and very informative. I always recommend a client consult with a stager before listing their property.

kristine, great advice but its to bad in the price point we work in and addt he shortsales, this service just is not being used.

Very Good post.  I follow your post and you certainly have nice photos.

Great post and great re-do of the room.  I think you would definitely be the stager of choice for anyone in your area.

Hey Kristine!  I'm going to G+1 this one.  Great info!

Hi Kristine.

I really like the post.

So true in every way. I really like your work as well, From what I have seen in the Rain.

Your portfolio is a great way to show case your talents.

Congrat's on the Featured post.

Best, Clint McKie

Great post!  I agree with those above that say ask about insurance.  I would also make sure everything is in writing.  Contract protect the client and the the Home Stager.

Hi Kristine, great post and great tips on finding and working with a stager!

Wow Kristine, this is such a great summary of advice on choosing a stager.  I went to your website and looked at all of your before/after photos.  Incredible!  

I really like how you list your prices, and what you get for them.  Many of my clients are hesitant to hire a stager because of fear of the unknown and not really knowing how much it will cost. 

I wish you lived in Charlotte!

This is a great list.  Another thing in our province is we want to make sure they have business insurance and also have a contract to enter into.