"How Much Do You Charge?"

"How much do you charge?"--I can see, and read the thought bubbles over a potential new clients' head, as we exchange initial pleasantries.

"What does Staging cost?"--asks the agent who I've met about 5.8 seconds earlier.

It's a fair and important question...but not necessarily a simple one. Preparing a property for sale is a service, not a fixed commodity, and projects can unfold is so many different ways.

"Is Staging expensive?"--asks the potential seller, nonchalantly, after the ice has broken.

"Well, can you just give me a quick range?"--presses the agent.

"My house could use the help, but I can't afford it"--states the homeowner.

The thing about Decorating, Home Staging, or anything else you're not real familiar with...when you're in new territory, you just want a snippet of information-just enough so if it's not where you want to be, you can make a graceful exit. Exteraneous conversation feels like you're being pitched.

But I learned a number alone never did it, because it doesn't complete the equation-it's just a number. The Refreshed Home had to present a complete picture: a specific number for an understandable product that would work in many scenarios, and be adaptable for the rest.

"Interactive in-house consults start at $285.00. That's two hours in the house, with a detailed written report emailed within 36 hours." --replies this Westchester County Decorator and Home Stager with a smile. " And look how much more space we have now that the elephant in the room is already gone!"