A Quick Guide on How to Start Your Own Home Staging Business
Do you want to start your own home staging business?
Home stagers are in high demand right now as the housing market continues to improve across the country. It’s a great time to be in this industry! You can have an exciting career that allows you flexibility while also providing the opportunity to make good money.
But starting your own home staging business is not as easy as it sounds. What are you supposed to do? How can you make the transition into this line of work without getting overwhelmed or frustrated about where to begin?
This guide will help take some of the mystery out of starting your own home staging business so that it becomes easier than ever before. Let us show you how easy it is!
A Business Name and Structure
Before you start a company, it’s a good idea to have an official name for your staging company. This name should be easy to remember and will serve as the face of your staging business.
You’ll need to set up a limited liability corporation (LLC) or a corporation so that you can protect yourself from potential losses in case anyone wants to sue your staging company.
As for start-up costs, an LLC is usually cheaper than a corporation. Setting up your business as an LLC or Corporation should be done through the secretary of state’s office in your state. It’ll also help to consult with a lawyer who specializes in start-ups before creating any legal documents such as employee contracts.
Get a Business License
A business license is a legal requirement for starting any staging company. You’ll need to start your licensing process by checking with local authorities to see what kinds of permits and licenses you need.
In most states, a home staging business will need a general contractor license. This type of license is only given to individuals with experience in the construction industry and can safely start any home improvement projects without putting the homeowners at risk.
Business Plan
A new business plan is important for all start-up companies. If you don’t have a formal business plan, it’ll be very difficult to win any start-up grants and loans. Lenders will not provide capital without knowing how the money will be used.
Your start-up company’s business plan should include your vision statement and an outline of the roles and responsibilities within your team. You can also use this document to describe your marketing strategy and funding needs.
Marketing Plan
A marketing plan is essential for start-up companies. Before you start your staging business, it’s a good idea to create an email list of potential clients that might be interested in your services. You can also include realtors and mortgage brokers on this list since they are often responsible for referring home sellers who need staging services.
You’ll need to identify the target market before creating any marketing material or website design. That way, you know what type of information needs to be included on these different platforms.
It will also help if you have some referral sources. Most start-ups don’t have enough capital right away to pay for advertising campaigns. They have to wait until there are more customers using their service.
Getting Professional Photos
To start your staging business, you’ll need a portfolio of professional photos that showcase the quality and style of your work. This will help when pitching clients on why they should hire you over another home stager. It’s also essential in maintaining long-term relationships with existing customers who want their homes updated for resale or rental purposes.
You’ll need two main types of photoshoots: pre-staging and post-staging. Pre-staging photographs are done before any furniture is moved around, so it shows how a room looks before being staged. Post-staging images show what each space looks like after completing all design services such as decorating, lighting, painting, etc.
Create a Pricing Structure
Setting up a pricing structure for your start-up company will be one of the most difficult tasks. You’ll need to consider all the fees related to staging services and overhead costs such as transportation, marketing material, and website design.
You must set up prices based on market research. Also, make sure not to price yourself out of business by charging too much or offering low rates.
There is no magic formula for setting up home staging fees. Start your pricing structure as low as possible so that you can start attracting new customers. Once the business has built up more momentum, you’ll start raising prices and possibly create a tiered system for different services.
Hiring Employees
Once your start-up business begins to grow, you’ll need more staff members. Hiring employees will help make the day-to-day operations run smoothly. It will also give you time to focus on other aspects of running a start-up company, such as marketing.
You can hire people with different skill sets, including:
- Designers
- Photographers
- Videographers
- Installers
- Cleaners
- Customer service representatives
Make sure that each person has experience in their respective industry. That means they know how to professionally execute these tasks without disrupting the entire staging process. And always provide them with proper training before setting them loose.
Start Small
It’s always better to start small and expand as your start-up business becomes more successful. That way, you can avoid financial overwhelm and build a loyal customer base that will refer their friends and family members in the future.
Most start-ups begin by offering basic staging services such as:
- Paintings
- Decorative pillows
- Lighting fixtures
- Shower curtains
- Mirrors
- Furniture positioning
These are some of the most affordable items for new companies because they don’t require extensive training or experience. They also provide instant gratification since clients see immediate results. Once your new company starts growing and stabilizes its operations, it will be time to start offering more expensive items such as flooring, appliances, and kitchen cabinets.
You can click here to see how much you can make as a home stager.
Join Networking Groups
It’s important to start networking with other entrepreneurs in the home staging business. Joining local groups will give you access to people who are already working successfully in this industry. You can also learn new tips and tricks for starting your own business or making it grow faster.
Creating a LinkedIn account is one of the best ways for start-ups to network online. You’ll be able to create connections within your desired niche market, send messages directly through the site, and post status updates that show off your expertise.
Start Your Staging Business Today
Are you yet to start a business? Now is the perfect time to begin your staging company. Start small with items that are affordable for your clients and provide instant gratification to attract new customers.
As you can see, there’s a lot of work involved in starting an effective staging business, but it is possible if you put your mind to it! So what are you waiting for? It’s time to take the next step toward success.
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