Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

Home Staging FAQ’s

Is home staging worth the money?

Absolutely! It’s a proven fact that having a home professionally staged by experts can drive the sale price up, even over the original asking price! On average, sellers get all their money back from the home staging investment, and then some! You’re not just getting your money back, you’re making money upon the sale of your home thanks to home staging!

Not only that, a professionally staged home typically sells a lot faster compared to a home that has not been staged. The faster your home sells, the less money you’ll be spending in carrying costs. Home staging is absolutely worth the investment!

What is involved in the home staging process?

Home staging is a marketing tactic that showcases your home in such a way that you benefit from a successful sale. It helps to show your home’s full potential, draw more attention from targeted buyers in the neighbourhood, and lead to a quicker sale at a higher price.

In order to achieve these goals, your home stager will have identified the exact type of buyers that are looking in your area. They will have a look around your home to see what changes need to be made in order to stage it in such a way that buyers will be attracted to it.

The stager will rearrange furniture that’s already there, and may even bring additional pieces in to complete the space. You will be asked to de-clutter and de-personalize the space, and might even have your home painted in a neutral colour. Many of these changes may not necessarily be to your tastes, but the whole point of staging is to appeal to buyers’ tastes, not yours.

My home already looks great. Why do I need to stage it?

Your home might suit your personal taste and style, but is it exactly what buyers in your area are looking for? It’s not about how your home appeals to you – it’s about how your house appeals to buyers. Home staging offers something of great value by prepping your home in a way that attracts more buyers by creating a buzz and more demand. It also helps them establish a connection to it, as the buyers can envision themselves living there.

How much does it cost to have my home staged by a professional?

Typically, you can expect to pay between 0.25% to 0.5% of the asking price of your home to get it ready for sale, however it depends on the condition of your current furniture and how much of it is suitable to be used for staging the property. In most cases the goal is to modernize the space, if you have new furniture that is Transitional in style and/or Contemporary that has been purchased in the last one to five years it more than likely can be used for staging. If your furniture is starting to show signs of aging and is threadbare then a Home Staging Professional form Hope Designs would suggest renting furniture from our rental inventory. All of these key decisions would be discussed durning the Home Staging Consultation (link).

The quote to stage your home is also based on other key factors, The size of your home, the amount time it will take to stage the property, the amount of rental furniture, artwork and decor required as well as the price point of the home.

It is always a good idea to have your home staged by a professional as you can expect to get back exponentially more upon the sale of your home!

Interior Design and Decorating FAQ’s

What is involved in an initial consultation?

The initial consultation is important, as it gives the interior Decorator the opportunity to gauge your design style and taste as well determine the scope of the project. The Designer will check out the space that needs to be revamped and will listen to the  client’s needs and wants. It is also an opportunity to determine any stipulations of the contract, as well as provide an estimated timeframe for the completion of the project.

This initial consultation can take anywhere from 2 to 2.5 hours because of all the pieces of information that need to be collected from homeowners about understanding what their true vision is. Guidelines are given to homeowners to help them understand what is involved in the process and let them know what to expect in the finished product.

How much does interior decorating/design cost?

The initial consultation is $500.00 (plus HST). If the consultation runs longer than scheduled an hourly rate may apply.

Our typical fee structure is charged out at a flat rate that is specifically tailored to your project. Once we meet with you and determine the scope of your project we can then provide with a design proposal and an estimate.

Interior Decorating and Design costs can realistically range a great deal, depending on the scope of the project and the amount of work necessary.

What do interior decorating fees include?

The fee you will be charged can cover any or all of the following:

  • Space planning
  • Personal Shopping and Sourcing of furniture, lighting, artwork
  • Selections of materials
  • Colour Consultations
  • Preparation of estimates
  • Coordination with contractors, architects, and trades
  • Design of window and bedding treatments
  • Project management
  • Ongoing consultations with the client
  • Investigating sources for products and materials

Any Contractors and subcontractors fees are not included in Hope Designs fees. You will be billed separately by each Contractor.

How can an interior decorator help me?

An interior decorator can help you in a variety of ways. For starters, they can help avoid costly mistakes. The advantages to the homeowner using an interior decorator’s services compared to a contractor is that an interior decorator will design according to how the home’s residents actually use the space, and will create an interior specifically to fit them. Interior decorators combine both style and functionality to ensure a successful outcome.

I don’t know what my design style is – should I still work with an interior decorator?

This is a common concern among homeowners looking to revamp their interiors. Professional interior decorators use an assessment system that helps to assess what colours, fabrics, textures, shapes, finishes, and feelings resonate with you. The answers you provide will inform the actual design and decorating process. A space can then be created that’s entirely unique to your personality and lifestyle.