The day has come – you’re ready to list your home for sale, watch the offers roll in, and move into your next home. But before you put your house on the market, consider staging your home. A staged house allows buyers to envision themselves living in your home, which could increase the number of offers you see and offer price
You may be wondering, how much does it cost to stage a house? Is home staging worth it? Is there any way to save money on home staging costs? We’ll tell you exactly what you need to know.
What is home staging?
Home staging is the art of decorating your house to appeal to potential homebuyers and can be an integral step in selling your house. Hiring a professional stager can help make the process easier as they have a keen understanding of what furniture and design styles appeal to buyers in your area. Home staging is also an important marketing tactic that helps sell your home faster. In some cases, it can even make a property that’s not receiving offers look more appealing, as it helps buyers envision their life in your home.
Washington, DC based Parker Staging elaborates on staging saying, “Home staging is the act of preparing and showcasing a property for sale with elements of design. Staging has many benefits that lead to a successful sale of a home without paying the many costs of a full redesign. This allows buyers to see the life and potential of a home as-is. Two helpful tips to keep in mind while working with a professional stager would be to clearly communicate your vision for staging your home and trust their knowledge and expertise to bring this vision to life.”
Photo courtesy of All About the Wow
Does staging your home help it sell?
According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 82% of buyer’s agents said staging made it easier for potential buyers to see themselves living in the home. This means buyers are more likely to make an offer on the home.
Additionally, staging a home may increase the final selling price of your home. In a 2021 study from the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA), 73% of staged homes sold over the list price on average of $40K. While home staging isn’t guaranteed to help you sell your home faster and for more money, on average it seems to make the selling process easier.
According to the International Association of Home Staging Professionals (IAHSP), there are countless benefits to staging your home. They say, “Home staging is a proven, up-front investment to help get the highest rate of return on the sale of a property. The 2022 Home Staging industry stats show $3,250 is the average investment for staging a vacant property. The pricing could be more or less depending on the location of the property, the size and planned list price of the property, how many rooms are being staged, the type of furniture and decor needed, and the duration of the initial staging agreement. Additionally, home staging can net 5-20% more in the sale, according to statistics tracked by IAHSP and the NAR. The investment in home staging is always less than a price reduction or lower starting price. When working with a pro-stager, sellers should work with a stager who has credentials in home staging and is a member of IAHSP. Sellers need to understand we are preparing the property for the target buyer demographic in how we stage. The seller may not like the style, color or items used in the staging, and that’s okay because the staging is not done for them as they are not buying their house back. Our goal is the same as the seller’s and listing agent’s – to help the property sell in the quickest time and at the very best price possible – and not leave any money behind.”
How much does it cost to stage a house?
On average, home staging costs around $1,500 but can range anywhere from $600 to $4,000. This number is dependent on many factors including the size of your home, whether you’re staging a vacant home, and more. While this may seem pricey, staging just may give your home the boost it needs to sell.
To help you understand the cost of staging a home for sale, we’ll break down the costs you’re likely to see.
Consultation cost: The initial design consultation can cost anywhere from $150 to $600 and typically takes about two hours. After this, the stager will provide you with an estimate of how much the project can cost and any associated fees.
Room-by-room staging: The individual cost of staging a room is about $500 to $600, which means the more rooms you have staged, the more it’s going to cost.
Price per hour: Some stagers charge you per hour for their labor, ranging from $25 to $150.
Price per project: Typically, stagers will present you with an estimated cost of the project after your design consultation. The average project cost ranges from $800 to $1,000, but note that this does not include any furniture rental costs.
Furniture rental costs: If you’re staging a vacant home or your furniture is lacking, your stager may recommend renting furniture to stage your home. Renting furniture can cost anywhere from $500 to $600 per room, meaning that it could cost up to $2,000 a month depending on the number of rooms you have staged.
Decluttering and rearranging: If your stager decides to use your current furniture and decor, the cost can be significantly less, about an $800 flat fee. This cost covers decluttering personal belongings and rearranging furniture to make your space more appealing. If you’re willing to declutter your home yourself, this rate can be even less.
Other home maintenance projects: Depending on your home’s condition, your stager may suggest other home improvement projects. These projects can include updating the light fixtures, refinishing the cabinets, hiring a cleaning service, or painting your walls a neutral color. This cost will vary depending on what you need to update.
What factors affect the cost of staging a home?
There are a few reasons why the cost of staging a home can increase or decrease. Let’s take a look at some of the main reasons.
The size of your home: It may sound obvious, but the larger your home and the more rooms you stage, the higher the staging cost will be.
Christine Kennedy, owner and designer of Professional Home Staging & Design recommends, “using an established staging company that will provide a reliable and timely product.” Kennedy further comments on the costs associated with staging, saying, “The cost to stage a vacant home varies based on the price point of the home, the staging areas and the amount of staging requested. Generally, a full staging for the main areas of a vacant property ranges between $1,000 and $4.000 for the first month. Thereafter they’ll assess the rental rate which can be anywhere from 10% to 25% per month. The cost to redesign a home with existing furniture ranges from $400 to $1,000 based on the size of the property.”
The layout of your home: Whether your home is a single-story or a two-story, this can increase the total costs of staging. For example, some staging companies may charge an additional fee for hiring more help to carry furniture upstairs, especially if you have a home that’s two or more stories.
Staging a vacant home: Many stagers use existing furniture, art, and decor in your home, especially if it’s in good condition and matches the design aesthetic. If you’re staging a vacant home, costs will be more as stagers need to rent furniture and possibly purchase small accessories like towels or flowers.
If you’re considering whether to stage a vacant home, Showhomes Houston advises the following, “Staging a vacant home can significantly reduce time on the market and deliver a higher sale price. Sellers should expect a positive return on their staging investment if a quick offer will save at least one month of time on market (and the associated carrying costs including mortgage, taxes, utilities, etc.) or avoid a price drop. Each of those costs likely exceeds the cost of staging. Prices vary across the US, but to stage the common living spaces and primary bedroom in a vacant home should be in the range of 0.5% to 1.0% of the list price. Staging costs may be tax-deductible, so check with your tax advisor. Ensure your stager can deliver the benefits. Ask for their professional qualifications, their portfolio of past work in comparable homes, their success statistics, and if they’re insured for damage and liability. Choose a stager that will help your home sell.”
Personal belongings: While some personal belongings, like art and furniture, can help cut staging costs, having too many personal belongings may increase costs. For example, if you have lots of knick-knacks, collectibles, family photos, or furniture that makes your home feel cramped, you’ll need to find somewhere to store these belongings. If you’ve already purchased your next home, you can store your belongings there. If you’re in the process of buying a new home, you’ll likely need to pay for a storage unit or find another place to store your belongings which can lead to additional costs.
Minimum staging contract: Some professional stagers require you to sign a three-month minimum staging contract. Whether your home sells in two weeks or two months, you’ll still have to pay the costs of staging for three months.
Who pays for home staging?
Whether it’s making cosmetic repairs to your home or staging it with furniture to sell, you’re likely the one paying for the costs. There may be some cases where your real estate agent includes staging or an initial consultation as part of their marketing plan. Sometimes, your real estate agent may also be a certified stager and offer the service as an additional service.
How to save money on staging costs
There are a few ways you can save money on staging costs and still help sell your home for more.
1. Stage the most important rooms
Start by staging the main areas of your home, or places that homeowners spend the most time in. These areas typically include the living room, kitchen, dining room, and primary bedroom. Additionally, don’t forgo the entryway since it often makes the first impression on a buyer when touring your home. That means you don’t necessarily have to stage basements, all the bedrooms, attics, or any extra spaces. Although highlighting a spare bedroom as a home office may be a great selling point.
When it comes to staging key spaces in your home, staging and interior design firm Staging Design DC offers the advice, “If you’re on a budget, you may want to consider staging just the key spaces in the home instead of all of the rooms. A good strategy is to prioritize both the spaces that you identify as the biggest selling points of the property and the spaces that pose the biggest challenges. For example, if your home has a gorgeous outdoor space, staging it could make that feature even more of a draw. On the flip side, your stager can turn that cramped, dark spare room into a beautiful office or twin bedroom, helping potential buyers to see the functionality of the space.”
Ann Waters of Naples Home Staging, further comments on the importance of staging to create a great first impression, saying, “The first seven seconds a buyer spends in your home are critical. Buyers form an impression that affects how they view the rest of the home. If their first impression is “Wow!,” they are more likely to judge the rest of the home more positively. If your staging budget is limited, concentrate on the first rooms buyers see when they enter the home.”
2. Stage using your belongings
The quality of furniture and the number of decorations you own can help reduce staging costs. In this case, your stager may recommend that you start by decluttering your home and removing any excessive personal belongings like photos and nick nacks. From there, they’ll rearrange your furniture and decorate to make the home feel warm and inviting.
Jennifer McCloskey, founder of Florida-based staging company All About the Wow, suggests the following, saying, “Before you commit to a major redo, consider making some simple changes. Create a welcoming entrance. Remove clutter to set the stage for a fresh look. Rearrange the furniture for clear pathways and avoid pushing furniture against the walls. Create a function for awkward spaces and don’t forget about lighting. Finally, think about neutralizing your style with paint.”
Similarly, Felicity Gardner, interior designer at Gardner Group Luxury Home Creations, advises, “The most cost effective way to stage your home is to declutter, depersonalize and make sure everything is sparkling clean – you’re advertising your home so everything should be spotless and in pristine condition. The bed is a dominant feature in most bedrooms so simple bedding is an affordable way to update your look. You can’t go wrong with crisp, clean linens, a soft coverlet and a couple of beautiful throw pillows to create an inviting bedroom setting. We head to TJ Maxx to select from a great variety of gorgeous throw pillows for only $20 each.”
3. Take tips from the staging consultation
Depending on your budget, some stagers offer a consultation to provide home staging tips that you can use to stage your home on your own. You’ll still pay a consultation fee, but you won’t have to pay to stage each room.
Owner of O Designs, Orli Shoshan-Levi, highlights how a staging consultation can help reduce costs, commenting, “If the client doesn’t want to spend their budget on a staging company bringing in all furniture, accessories, etc., another option is a Home Staging Consultation. This consultation is much less expensive than a full staging, costing $150-$250. If the seller chooses to go this route, our stager will review the home with the seller and agent and send a report listing changes that the homeowner can make which will have the most impact. For example, decluttering, changing out throw pillows and artwork, and getting rid of tired furniture, goes a long way to helping the potential buyer fall in love with a home. Staging will ensure an amazing “first showing” online as well as set a good first impression for in-person showings and open houses.”
4. Consider soft staging
Another cost-saving option is soft staging. Soft staging is when a stager decorates the space with artwork and accessories but no furniture. However, many stagers don’t offer soft staging as a service, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find a stager that does. It’s good to note that soft staging usually works better in vacant homes.
When it comes to soft staging, Christina LaMonica, owner and lead designer at Blossom Home Staging, comments, “Soft staging is convenient for sellers. It transforms a property from an empty impersonal space, into a warm, inviting home. It’s perfect for anyone looking to enhance their listings for a nominal investment. Style stands out for marketing purposes. Soft staging is an investment, not an expense.”
5. Limit the furniture you rent
If you’re looking for a slight step up from soft staging, consider renting a few key pieces of furniture to help bring the vacant rooms together. Think of a pair of chairs rather than a full dining room set.
6. Consider virtual staging
Virtual staging is another cost-effective way to stage your home without needing any furniture in your home. Suited better for empty homes, virtual staging is done by a professional virtual stager who digitally inserts furniture and decor into photos of your home. Virtual staging also costs much less than traditional staging, typically between $39 and $199 per room. Most homebuyers tour a home virtually before ever stepping foot in it, and virtual staging could really bring your home to life. However, keep in mind that potential buyers who tour your home in person will still see an empty house.
7. Consult with your real estate agent
It’s also important that you talk to your real estate agent as they can provide you with advice about staging your home. For example, they may recommend that you take up some simple home improvement tasks first. This can look like painting, making minor repairs to walls or baseboards, or decluttering your home. Your real estate agent may also have other budget-friendly tips and tricks for staging your home. After all, a good real estate agent has the resources and knows how to help your home sell.
Is home staging worth the price?
When it comes to staging your home to sell, the cost of staging a home is often worth it. From marketing your home to potential buyers and possibly seeing an increase in offers, staging your home can make the selling process that much easier. While staging costs may seem steep, there are affordable ways to stage your home to help it appeal to a larger number of buyers.
Individual results may vary. This is not intended as a substitute for the services of a licensed real estate agent, or licensed and bonded home services professional or appraiser.
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