Home Staging Consultations Don´t Require an Assistant
Debra Gould
October 27, 2009
When I arrive at an initial consultation, I´m not actually doing the staging at that point. As we walk through the house, I´m mostly taking everything in and making suggestions for improvements. For example, I might suggest that a large wall unit would look better on a different wall, or that the current living room furniture would work better in the family room. But at this initial consultation session, it´s not going to be moved. These recommendations will go on a to-do list for later.
I frequently move small items during a home staging consultation. I might say something like, "You know, your fireplace could be a fabulous focal point in this room, but I feel like it´s a bit lost under all this stuff on the mantle. Would you mind if I showed you how this can look a lot better?" Then the client will say, "Of course, go ahead." Then I jump in and start changing things around.
It´s actually doing small things like this that make your clients will light up because they can start to see a transformation and they´re excited about what you can do with the rest of their house.
I rarely bring an assistant with me to an initial home staging consultation. I generally only get help when I´m doing a vacant house that´s being staged from top to bottom in a single day. In that case it´s helpful to have someone to assist with hanging artwork, placing towels, hanging curtains, ironing bedding – that type of thing.
Most of the time, I work on my own with my clients and because I do, I get to keep more of the profits and I´m better able to stay focused on the task at hand.
Course 3 of the Staging Diva Home Staging Business Training Program answers all your questions about what happens during a home staging consultation. It comes with a bonus home staging check list and covers topics such as avoiding the free estimate trap, what to wear and what to bring to your consultations, how to turn a potential buyer into a paying client and much more.