If you have an eye for interior decoration and would like to use their skill to build a business, staging companies is a viable option. You can start with a small investment of time and money, making it a great part-time gig or something to do on the side until the business grows enough to support you.
What Do Home Stagers Do?
Houses that are cluttered or tired looking not only take longer to sell but also often fail to get a great price. A home stager works to increase the appeal of a home and the chances of a sale at the maximum price. They achieve this through a variety of methods including removing and/or rearranging furniture to show off the best features of the rooms, adding decorative items such as artwork, knick-knacks, and flowers, as well as adding colour and texture through fabrics such as curtains and pillows.
Home stagers can earn anywhere from $500 to $5,000 for a project depending on the square foot of the home, the number of rooms being staged, and the amount of work that goes into staging the home.
Pros of a Home Staging Business
If you have an eye for home staging companies, there are many pros to starting a home staging business, including :
- Very low start-up costs—no inventory to carry and minimal supplies. With that said, many home stagers eventually build up an inventory of furniture and decorative items that can be used in their home staging business.
- Services can be in demand whether the real estate market is strong or weak.
- No licensing or specialized training is required.
- Ease of marketing through networking with real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others involved in real estate.
Cons of a Home Staging Business
Like any business venture, there are a few possible downsides to home stating such as :
- Finding homeowners who see the value and potential financial gain in hiring a home stager.
- Getting their first clients to help start building their portfolio.
- You may need to work weekends and/or evenings, as many of their clients will only be able to meet with you during those times.
What You Need to Start a Home Staging Business?
- Network with real estate agents who can be a good source of clients, but also, a resource for current market conditions.
- Prepare a portfolio of homes you have staged. You can start by doing their own home. Consider providing home staging for a friend or a real estate agent for free in exchange for portfolio items and referrals.
- Although you do not need any special training or certifications, interior design courses can give you credibility.
- Good people and sales skills to convince prospects to hire you and to handle objections or concerns from clients.
Resources for home decor—It is possible the home will be empty, and you will need to rent furniture or that the homeowner's items need to be supplemented with or exchanged for items that make the home more appealing to buyers.
You also may need to know quality painters and other professionals (i.e., electricians or handymen) to help fix up the house. Energy and willingness to do hard work, including cleaning, moving furniture, painting, and more.
