Not all home stagers are created equal. Before hiring a stager, there are some things you should consider. At this time there is no independent national organization(like ASID for interior designers, or NAR for Realtors) that certifies or licenses home stagers, and no government oversight or licensing in most areas. Here are some tips to help you select the right stager to help you sell your home:
1. Experience and professionalism trumps "certification", "education" or "designation" in the staging world. Hire the stager with the most real world experience, not the stager with the most letters behind their name, although they may be one and the same.
2. Ask to see the stager's portfolio - either on line or hard copy (book form). If they don't have a staging portfolio, in all probability they have never done a staging job, they have never done a good staging job, or they are lousy at marketing - a very undesirable trait in a home stager.
3. Does the portfolio display a wide range of styles or do all the homes they stage look the same? Make sure the stager is capable of staging in a manner that accentuates the architecture of your home and will be attractive to the buyers in your area.
4. Ask if the stager rents furniture from another source or owns the furniture they will be using in your staging project. Make sure that the furniture that they will be using is appropriate to the style of your home and not just what they happen to have in their inventory at that time.
5. Ask the stager if the photos in their portfolio are of jobs they performed themselves, or as part of a class exercise. You want an experienced stager who has lots of jobs under their belt and lots of photos of their work, not someone who has never done a staging job, or has never done a staging job outside of a class environment.
6. Make sure none of the photos are "stock" photos that they purchased or lifted off of someone else's web site. All photos in a stager's portfolio should be of their own work.
7. Ask for references, including phone numbers and/or email addresses. Check those references. Ask the reference if they would hire that stager again.
8. Ask for proof of liability insurance. If the stager is not insured, then the homeowner may be liable for any damages or injuries that may occur as a result of the staging.
9. All employees and helpers the company uses should be covered by Workers Comp insurance. See #8.
10. Make sure you are given a clearly written contract and that you understand all aspects of the contract. If you don't understand something, or something that you discussed is not in writing, ask for clarification.
11. Do you get a good feeling from meeting the stager? Do they seem well organized? Do they listen to your input? Do they make notes or take photographs? Are they on time to your meeting? Just as in any business relationship, you should expect to be treated with professionalism, courtesy & respect.
12. Remember - YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. You are selling your most valuable asset (your home). Look for the staging professional with the greatest competency, experience and professionalism, rather than the cheapest price.
The Moving Mountains Design Promise:
We will treat all our clients with the utmost respect, courtesy & professionalism. Our prices are presented to you in writing and will not change unless you change the job requirements or circumstances. Our goal is to exceed your expectations and help you sell your home faster and for top dollar. http://www.MovingMountainsDesign.com
Moving Mountains Design & Home Staging, incorporated since 1994, is a full service Home Staging and Interior Design company located in Pasadena, CA. Michelle Minch, the founder and CEO, began her career in design as a Stylist and Visual Merchandiser for Commercials, Television and Feature Films. Home Staging and Interior Design are a natural progression in her design career, allowing her to use her visual merchandising skills, a refined eye and years of experience to create stunning one of a kind environments for her clients.
12 Tips For Choosing The Best Home Stager
