How to find a quality staging business
In the world of property marketing, first impressions matter. A well-staged home can make all the difference between a quick sale at a great price and a listing that lingers on the market. If you're looking to maximize your property's appeal, finding a quality home staging business is a crucial step. Here’s a guide to help you choose the right professionals to transform your home.
1. Understand What Home Staging Involves
Before diving into your search, it's important to understand what home staging entails. Home staging is the art of preparing a home for sale by arranging furniture and décor to highlight the property's best features, making it appealing to potential buyers. This process can involve anything from decluttering and depersonalizing spaces to bringing in rented furniture and accessories.
2. Research and Gather Recommendations
Start your search by asking for recommendations from your estate agent, friends, or family who have recently sold their homes. Personal referrals can provide valuable insights into the quality of service and the outcomes you can expect.
Additionally, explore online resources such as:
The Home Staging UK: the first national Association to have been established in the UK.
HouseWow Services: a network of the UK’s leading home stagers and property professionals.
Social media and review sites: Platforms like Houzz and Trustpilot offer ratings and reviews from previous clients.
3. Review Portfolios
A quality home staging business will have a portfolio showcasing their work. This is your opportunity to assess their style and expertise. Look for:
Before and after photos: These demonstrate the stager's ability to transform a space.
Variety in styles: A good stager should be able to adapt to different home styles, from modern to traditional.
Attention to detail: Notice how they use colour, texture, scale and arrangement to enhance the space.
4. Check Credentials and Experience
Experience and proper training are key indicators of a quality home stager. Look for:
Accreditation and training: Professional associations like CHSSP offer certification programmes for home stagers. Certified stagers have undergone training and adhere to industry standards. You will find websites which say that no official training is necessary to become a home stager. Whilst this is factually correct, in reality it isn’t true. Someone claiming to be a home staging professional with no qualifications is likely to be a hobbyist with little experience. Avoid!
Experience level: While new stagers can be talented, those with several years of experience often bring a deeper understanding of what works in your market and can provide case studies to back up their claims.
5. Request References
Don't hesitate to ask for references from previous clients. Speaking directly with homeowners who have used the stager's services can provide insights into:
Professionalism and reliability: Were they punctual, communicative, and respectful of the homeowner's time and property?
Effectiveness: Did the staging help sell the home faster or at a higher price?
Overall satisfaction: Were the clients happy with the final result?
6. Consider Pricing and Services
Home staging costs can vary widely based on the size of your home, the extent of staging needed, and the market you're in. When evaluating pricing:
Bear in mind that cheap staging is cheap for a reason: like most things, with staging you get what you pay for. The cheapest quote is very likely to be the option which gives you the least satisfactory results.
Clarify services included: Make sure you understand what each quote covers. Does it include consultation, staging, de-staging, and furniture rental? Does it include artwork and accessories? A good staging business will be able to provide you with a full inventory of the items they intend to use.
Think about what’s involved: each project we undertake involves a detailed design process, selection of the required inventory, physical packing of all items, transport, onsite furniture assembly and styling, rental of all the pieces and removal at the end of the contract period. There are many component parts to a successful job, so when you consider your budget, you need to understand just what goes on in the background.
Ask questions: experienced staging businesses will be able to explain to you how they price their work.
7. Evaluate Their Process
A professional home staging business should have a clear process in place. This typically involves:
Initial consultation: A walkthrough to assess the property and discuss your goals.
Proposal: A detailed plan outlining the staging approach and costs.
Staging day(s): The actual transformation of your home, which might take a few hours to a few days depending on the scope.
De-staging: Once the home is sold, the stager will remove all their items. You may also want to find out if any/all of the items can be sold to your buyer, particularly if you a developer with a show home.
8. Trust Your Instincts
Finally, trust your instincts when choosing a home staging business. Consider their communication style, enthusiasm, and willingness to answer your questions. A good rapport and clear communication are essential for a smooth and successful staging experience.
If you want to understand more about our work, contact us today on 01992 668091 or email us at hello@thepropertypresenters.co.uk