Comments on: Home staging is not a minimum wage job

By: Debra Gould

Debra Gould — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 00:20:55 +0000

Hi Toni, Great question and thanks for popping by!

Yes the pricing discussion in this article is still highly relevant today. The only thing that’s changed is that the company, Haverhill, that was widely advertising $31.45 per hour when I wrote this, has gone out of business!

If you want a really detailed strategy for setting your prices, you’ll find it in course 2, The Business of Home Staging: What You Need to Start and How to Grow. Many established home stagers who aren’t making enough money take this course to solve the pricing dilemma. With what you learn about that you’ll make enough on your next client to more than pay for my entire training program, whether you decide to go further with the courses or not.

By: Toni

Toni — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 21:50:54 +0000

Hi Debra,
Very illuminating article re prices for consultations. I see that the comment go back to 2008. Do you see feel that the pricing is relevant today? Thank you.

By: Debra Gould

Debra Gould — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 22:13:57 +0000

Jillian, Your rates are only very partially related to the market value of the homes in your city. There are many other factors at play when determining the right pricing strategy for your staging services. I discuss these in detail in course 2 of the Staging Diva Program. You can learn more about it here: http://www.stagingdiva.com/store/#course2 Put the idea of free home staging consultations right out of your head! It's the quickest road to burnout and bankruptcy and not something that my students do once they learn the right way to market their business. You can read more about what I think about free consultations in this free article which is part 4 in a series: http://www.stagingdiva.com/homestagingbusiness/wrong-marketing-can-sink-your-home-staging-business-part-4/ You can also read about free consultations in this article http://www.stagingdiva.com/homestagingbusiness/home-stagers-should-never-waive-their-consultation-fee/ As for working full-time while building up your staging business, that's TOTALLY doable and something many of my students do. I've written articles about several of them which you can read in this FREE report, "Can a regular person like me become a home stager." Get your FREE copy at: http://www.stagingdiva.com/homestagersuccessstories.html I know you'll really find that report informative and inspiring and it includes a special gift from me that you'll be glad to have.

By: Jillian

Jillian — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 22:20:38 +0000

Hi Debra,
How do you determine based on the size of the city and the market value of the homes in that city what to charge for staging? Most people think that the consultation should be free and if they choose to hire you, then they will pay? Realtors think this way also.
Is it possible to work full-time until your business is up and running?
Thanks,
Jillian

By: Debra Gould, The Staging Diva

Debra Gould, The Staging Diva — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 00:32:06 +0000

Thanks Judy! So glad I could help you. Please feel free to spread the word about Home Staging Business Report to others in any discussion groups you are on with home stagers or aspiring home stagers!

By: Judy Park

Judy Park — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 19:27:28 +0000

I just want to say that I really appreciate reading all your feed back , this is an excellent area to get information about the pros and cons of staging.
I am just starting into the market and really need all the adivce I can absorb.
thanks again

By: Donna McBrier

Donna McBrier — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:16:45 +0000

I too live in a depressed area, we have the highest unemployment rate in the country. In fact due to the company I worked for closing I have decided to realize my dream of enjoying decorating and homes ( I’m the person who goes to open houses out of curiosity and often offers a suggestion to the realtor about a smell or something negative in the home)
Just getting started I have enjoyed several great jobs, but I had to give the realtors coupons for free $150 home evaluations just to get in the door but then the work involved is unbelieveable. I don’t think I would have gotten these jobs if I hadn’t included cleaning out garages and basements along with the entire house, painting and then decorating and staging the home.
But without all this preliminary work the home wouldn’t have made since to stage.
It seems realtors in my area think a home is a candidate for staging if it’s a real disaster and almost a lost cause…
I’d appreciate any suggestions, and I’d like to know how you all are doing since these posts were last updated in April. Mave Hiegill how is the apartments rental’s going, I thought that was a great idea.

By: Tip 3: How Much Money You Can Make as a Home Stager

Tip 3: How Much Money You Can Make as a Home Stager — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 18:33:29 +0000

[...] If you’ve seen those ads promising $31.45 an hour and you think that’s good pay for a home stager, I strongly encourage you to read “Home Staging Is Not a Minimum-Wage Job.” [...]

By: Debra Gould, The Staging Diva

Debra Gould, The Staging Diva — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 17:22:13 +0000

Lisa, I totally agree that realtors should stick to selling real estate rather than staging their listings. I only recommend real estate agents take my program to learn how to run profitable staging businesses if they are tired of the 24/7 demands of selling real estate and would prefer to earn their income from staging. In course 4 of the Staging Diva Training Program I spend a lot of time explaining what messages a stager should use with real estate agents to help them understand the value of what we do and why they shouldn't be doing the staging themselves.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 10:48:42 +0000

Thank you for taking the time to educate us on home staging..Great article!
However, I have been in the interior design field for more then 20 years and I believe that Realtors should stick to selling house and the design firms/staging company’s do the staging…