Comments on: Stagers, would you waive your consultation fee?

By: Ashley

Ashley — Tue, 24 May 2011 17:33:30 +0000

Our company policy is to always charge for a consultation, regardless of if the house is occupied or vacant. However, if the homeowner hires us to complete the entire staging job (and we have a signed contract in hand) we offer to waive the consultation fee since a consultation is included in the price of our complete staging package. This has worked well for us since we always get paid for our time and homeowners will often go ahead and hire us to finish the job and feel that they’re getting a good deal.

By: Debra Gould, The Staging Diva

Debra Gould, The Staging Diva — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:50:13 +0000

I love you guys! Thank you for validating that the Staging Diva business model works and sticking to your ideals even when the easier short term solution is to give in. It never serves you well long term. That’s why you’re in business after three and four years while many of your competitors gave up in under a year.

By: Susan Atwell

Susan Atwell — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 21:29:52 +0000

What a great stream. I’m glad to see that most are charging for initial consultations. It will be a great day for our industry when stagers charge for all their time – every time. Similar to Leah, if I have to get in my car, I’m charging.

When the painter or contractor come to the house for an estimate, they are not leaving the owner with anything of value. And Realtor’s should not define a home stager’s business model. I have been asked by agents to do free consultations, reduce my 2-hour minimum to 1, and even asked for a referral fee. Debra’s courses and Dialog calls prepared me and I turned down all of these requests – prepared to lose the jobs. I didn’t. Once the agents saw what I could do for them, I gained more work (and more confidence).

Just a month ago, a potential client called about home staging. Another stager gave an in home “free estimate”. The stager talked the seller out of spending money on staging, but told the seller what to do. A free consultation prevented either of us from getting the job. This stager is missing out on a valuable revenue stream – consulting.

Everyone has doubts. I fight my demons every day. Define your business model well and commit to it. Do not be swayed by outside forces that have interests that compete with yours. Have confidence in your abilities and knowledge. And listen to Leah!

By: Tammy Kemp

Tammy Kemp — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:27:05 +0000

When a potential client calls me for a vacant staging, I give them a ballpark estimate over the phone of my staging fee (I’ve been doing this for a long time, so I pretty much know how much of my time it will involve). Included in this estimate is my time to go out and initially preview the property. Most consults take me take two to three hours, so that’s the amount that I collect upon that initial visit. If they decide to proceed with the staging, that initial visit fee gets credited towards their total bill. If they choose not to proceed, I didn’t lose any money because I at least got paid for my time at their property.

By: Deb

Deb — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 17:07:13 +0000

All – Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate learning from other people in the field.

By: loi

loi — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 15:14:51 +0000

Hi, Pauline. Next time free pictures/free advice happens, you can say, “Those are considered as references, and I discuss references, as well as provide additional ones, on my next consultation, which is a paid consultation. Do you want to schedule one on [date/time].” Please also share with us later how that works out for you.
Leah, I love your scripts!

By: Pauline Stevens

Pauline Stevens — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 06:44:32 +0000

I like that response for realtors! Thank you!

As for clients trying to get stuff free, they always will. I’ve even had a client try to ask me to look at pictures of stuff he wanted to borrow from friends and family to stage his home! 72 Pictures! And then he wanted me to tell him which ones would work and which wouldn’t. For free!

Don’t put your foot in that trap. It’s simple. We are Home Staging Experts. We sell advice. If you give it away, you’ll soon be closing up shop.

I’d much rather not do the job and not get paid for it, than do the job and not get paid for it. At least with the first option, I can spend the time wisely to grow my business!

Have faith and confidence in yourselves, ladies! If you have what it takes, don’t let them take it! Sell your services for what you’re worth!

By: Susan Gillespie

Susan Gillespie — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 05:51:16 +0000

Thanks for the encouragement Leah and Patricia!

By: Patricia Ebrahimi

Patricia Ebrahimi — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 02:04:38 +0000

Hear, hear, Leah! Well put.

By: Staging To Sell

Staging To Sell — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 19:44:40 +0000

AMEN, Leah!!!

Staging To Sell
Home Staging For Sellers . Interior Design & reDesign
231.690.0398
Jill R. Monczunski
President/Designer
http://www.staging2sell.com
jill@staging2sell.com
Michigan USA