Finding a home stager is easy as there are many offering this decor service. There are key things to look for when you want to hire one. Referrals are great and we trust our friend’s recommendations for leads but there is a little research we need to do to be informed.

• Professional certification for home staging. There are techniques that are used in home staging that are learned through training. Home staging is a growth industry stemming from decorating. They are not the same thing and one industry segment is not considered better than the other. In fact, they are a powerful combination for clients to access. Membership in a professional Canadian association is another valuable attribute to look for in a Stager partner. Professional associations have standards that their members must agree with to become part of the industry group.There are many other important reasons to seek a stager with a professional membership.

• Experience and work samples. Is this person talented? Does their work look good? Are they able to use skill to create a beautiful room that creates desire for a property and its features? Asking for before and after photos to determine abilities is perfectly acceptable. Another is to ask about the example in more detail, like what was changed, how and why. Ask about cost too. What did the client invest to achieve this look?

• Range of service. This is a biggie. Does your need match the service? The industry is not regulated and staging services are abundant. This is why the consultation process is so important and is the first step to the process. Take the time to get an assessment for the property which will reveal the prioritized needs for a property. The consultation puts the client in a very strong position to make informed decisions and is considered the most valuable service. From there, it is much easier to match additional service to the need and create the best outcome to achieve the best and highest financial result.

• Cost. Services are difficult to compare when you are not certain what is required. Back to the consultation process. Do not be surprised when you find you need a number of different trades to prepare a property for sale. Maybe you need an organizer or a painter before the decor is addressed. A stager that will identify, explain and/or manage this process is important. Does your stager offer this service? If not, ask them if they know another staging professional that will and don’t hesitate to go to the list of members of a professional Canadian association to find this professional. Costs will vary for staging services. You will need to remember to compare apples to apples as well as being aware that cheaper does not mean better and can lead to costly mistakes.

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