5 Things to Do Before Starting Your Home Staging Business

Thinking about starting a home staging business but not sure what to expect and prepare for the unknown? Here are a few things you can get started while you are working towards opening your doors.

1. Start Saving $$$

You will need capital to fund your new home staging business. Even small things that seem like trivial, like printing business cards, setting up your staging website, applying for a business license, etc., they all cost money.

Typically, it is recommended to save up at least 6-months worth of living expenses before your start your home staging business. Obviously, the more saving you have, the more secure you will be when you are still trying to get staging clients.

2. Don’t Quit the Day Job Yet

I see this a lot and this can be a critical mistake. Because you will be immediately without income once you quit your day job. Many stagers that went through our courses start out doing staging as a side hustle, until they feel confident enough to leave. Many of our podcast guests also have a similar experience, like Christine Cowles had shared on her podcast episode.

3. Leverage Your Existing Network

One of the things I was trained to do when I got started as a buyer’s agent was to write a list of people I know that could potentially be a client or introduce me clients.

Referrals are powerful and basically free, unlike most of the marketing stuff you will do for your home staging business. Referral is a great strategy to leverage to build and grow your home staging business.

4. Do Lots of Research About The Home Staging Business

When jumping into a new career, I think it’s important to do research to understand

• How do home stagers make money? What are the possible income streams for home stagers?

• What are the services can you provide as a home stager?

• What are the common challenges home stagers face?

• What is it like to own a home staging business?

• What are the legal and financial responsibilities you will have as a home staging business owner?

• What training program works for me? Which one should I take?

5. Learn Your Responsibilities as a Business Owner

One of the critical mistakes I see failed home staging business owners make is usually that they don’t understand what it is like to be a home staging business owner.

Of course, you can do staging part time or as a hobby business, but you still have to pay taxes, have a business license, insurance and all that. Because we work in someone’s home, there can be serious liability attached to this line of work. Your personal asset can be in danger, and you can be personally held liable. It’s important to understand your financial and legal responsibilities when it comes to being a business owner.

If you are a seasoned home stager reading this, did we forget anything? Feel free to comment below!