PROFESSIONAL HOME STAGING SERVICES AND CONSULTING

When you are ready to make the plunge to hire a professional home stager or home staging consultant make sure you do your homework.  Because this industry is very new, especially in our area, there are very few regulations or government standards in place to insure you are hiring a professional. 

I am a professional home stager and staging consultant and I see home stagers or individuals who say they are home stagers or home staging consultants come and go.  They stage a few houses (typically very badly) and then they go away leaving the real home stagers holding the bad reputation baggage.

Here is how you can protect yourself by asking the right questions:

1.  Ask where they received their professional training.  If they do not list their training credentials in their advertising, business cards etc.  they didn't receive any.

2.  Ask about liability insurance.  They need to have that, protect yourself and do not hire anyone without insurance.

3.  Ask about affiliations.  These stagers or staging consultants should have several affiliations such as the local REALTOR Associations, Staging organizations etc.

4.  Ask them for references of properties they have recently prepared for market.  Most non-professionals will have friends and family say their home was staged but there is little to no experience outside of that.  Do recognize that everyone has to start somewhere and with the first 3 questions you have at least established that they are are on the right path to professionalism.

5.Ask if their company is incorporated.  Fly by night stagers or staging consultants do not incorporate because they are in it for the money and not as a partner in your success. 

6.  Interview several home stagers, choose the one you feel is the best fit for you.  Your home is your largest personal investment choosing the least expensive home stager or staging consultant may not be your best choice.