“How much?” is one first questions agents or potential clients want to ask. And why not?

For most, engaging with a design or home staging pro is new territory. Money is important. And familiar.  It deserves a clear and timely answer. But written in a kind font: Please know there is more at stake than money.

Some sort of unease is often why cost comes up so early on. This work can feel intimidating. Everything tender is on the table, and it’s normal to want to feel in control of something.  You may have only part of the deciding team there, or cut off attempts at what might seem extraneous conversation,  seeing it as a stall, a pitch, or an upselling opportunity.

Durable goods, like say, a washing machine, have universally understood and measurable metrics.  But design and listing prep are personal services;  each potential client has a unique set of circumstances, needs, and expectations.

Good design delights and improves. And staging, however it manifests, is whatever you do to improve the market position of a property.  At its core, it solves and prevents problems and adds value. You should expect support and peace of mind from both. Here are 10 questions anyone contemplating a design or home staging project should ask, besides how much:

• How far do you travel?  How far out do you typically book out?  What you want to know first if you’re on a deadline or there’s an unusual location to consider.
• What are your specialties? Stagers and designers have broad skill sets, but everyone has something they like doing and do best.
• Describe a typical job, then one of your more challenging projects.  How did you make each one successful? You’ll get insights into their range, thought process, and creativity. Also, how they roll with the flow.
• What’s your background, and how’d you get into this?  Most practitioners have a blend of training, relevant life, and prior work experiences. Regs vary by state, but typically interior decorators handle surface/cosmetic changes. Interior designers handle more complex projects that could include construction, electrical, or plumbing. Understandably, the latter needs more accreditation or licensing than the former.  Staging is more like the wild west: No licensing requirements or one singular accreditation organization (yet).
• Do you belong to any professional organizations?  Demonstrates level of professionalism. Piggy-backing on the above, all accrediting organizations I know tie the candidate’s level of membership to an aggregate of education, professional training, and time in the business. They also require members to adhere to their Code of Ethics and fulfill CE requirements.
• How long have you been doing this, and do you work full-time?  Points to their level of commitment as well as general availability.
• What do you like the best, and the least, about the business? This is the person who will be in your home.  Who you’ll trust with everything tender. Who will explain things so you can see it too. Who’ll be at your elbow, leading you through to the other side, to results you wouldn’t have thought of on your own. Know their WHY, you’ll know who’s the right person for you to hire.

Your home is your sanctuary. Also, one of your biggest investments. There’s a lot more at stake than money. Be confident in asking questions of the people you’re thinking of entrusting it with.  You deserve it!

The Refreshed Home and its digital sister company, Orange Boom work with buyers, sellers, and their agents, as well as homeowners who are staying and improving. Change happens. It can be a good thing. Just start the conversation.