Not all home staging services are created equal. And since staging plays a significant role in getting a property to market and sold at a higher price, identifying the right stagers for your home is crucial.
Step 1. Don’t Go For “Cheap”
Cue the eye rolls. But before you scroll away, hear me out: the price is definitely a factor. Our advice is simply to avoid making price the only determining factor. Instead, look for a good deal. Look for good value. Do compare quotes. Just don’t choose a home staging service solely based on the price tag. The cheapest option is likely to skimp on furniture and decor items and rush design plans, which will negatively impact the sale of your home. And the most expensive option is probably padding stages with unnecessary furnishings and services.
For the best results, you’ll want to look at the staging company’s track record and value proposition.
Step 2. Compare Portfolios
The right staging service for your home is familiar with other similar properties and has a solid portfolio. Look through their website for information and check out any of their before-and-after photos. Ideally, the staged interiors will look enticing and professional. The furniture layouts should match the property’s architectural structure (i.e., they didn’t try to cram a king-sized bed into a small bedroom). And the size of the properties should be roughly the same as the one you’re trying to stage.
Pro tip: If you can’t find any recent images through their website, try contacting the staging company for their most recent staging photos.
Step. 3 Get References
Request testimonials or look through review sites like Houzz and Yelp. If a relative, friend, or colleague recently staged their property for sale, ask about their experience. Did they like the staging service? Was the process what they expected? Is the price worth the result?
If you are working with a real estate agent, ask for their preferred staging service. Realtors can recommend home stagers that will work best for both your property and your budget. Some agencies partner with stagers so that they can offer their clients a discount on stages. Worst case scenario: a realtor can give you a list of criteria to help you determine the right staging service for your particular needs.
Step 4. Make Contact
Call the staging company and ask about their staging process and what’s involved. Some companies may be able to provide you with an approximate price. For example, if given property details (like age, size, and location), a Boldrm analyst could quickly calculate a staging estimate.
We also offer free consultations as part of our services. You can schedule an appointment with one of our designers, and they will walk you through previous stages, possible design ideas, and which rooms/elements should be highlighted. This is also a chance to get to know the people behind the business--the people you may be working closely with over the next couple of weeks.
As always, feel free to reach out to us for more information and check out our blog for more staging advice.
