Do you have any other questions?
I often find myself asking this question to clients during a bid proposal. Typically this is after a review of our homeowner or realtor staging packet. If my clients are anything like me they will think of a great question just after I have walked out the door.
Education is priceless! Especially when it comes to HUGE investments such as a single family home.
Because of this we provide our clients with a few questions that may have, unfortunately only came after we parted our ways.
Questions to ask when hiring a home stager...
1. Are they Licensed? According to the State of California, designers or relevant trades are required to obtain a "Special" Business License. This allows consumers relevant information regarding their business practices. A Professional Home Stager should always be able to provide their licensing information.
2. Are they insured? Although it is not required by law, Professional Home Stagers should be insured for any potential damages. While Professional Home Stagers use extreme caution staging there is a possibility of potential damages occuring. Who will incur the costs should damages arise?
3. Do they have a portfolio of their work? Don't assume the photos you have seen on their website are their own. It has been discovered on the Internet, that some Home Stagers are "borrowing" photos from other Staging websites and passing them along as their own. A Professional Home Stager should be able to provide you with a portfolio at the time of consultation.
4. Can they provide references or have testimonials? Like any other contracted services, it is important to check references of previous clients. Was the client pleased with the outcome of the Staging or redesign process? Where there any challenges that came up, and if so, how were they handled?
5. What is their background? With today's Internet community, it is extremely easy to become "certified" in any profession. Look for a Home Stager that has had work in the 'Visual Merchandising' or 'Interior Design' field. People with these backgrounds will have more ideas for challenging spaces. They have been responsible for creating environments that appeal to 'buyers'
The goal here is to give a prospective client enough information to make an educated decision on investing in a Professional Home Staging Company.
Joe Kaspari, Essential Home Staging, LLC
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