For agents
10 Questions Agents Should Ask a Home Stager
Ask about turnaround time, what's included, rental term and extension costs, insurance, how they handle occupied homes, their style range, who's on install day, access and HOA requirements, and payment options. Then look at their portfolio for homes like yours.
The questions
- How fast can you install after I confirm? (Ours: typically 1–2 days.)
- What exactly is included: furniture, art, rugs, lighting, bedding, accessories?
- What's the rental term, and what does an extension cost?
- Are you insured for install and removal?
- Do you do occupied staging, and how do you work with the seller's furniture?
- Can you show me projects at this price point and style?
- Who will be on site on install day, and how long will it take?
- How do you handle HOA rules, elevators, stairs and parking?
- How quickly do you respond to quote requests? (Ours: within 24 hours.)
- Are there payment options, like paying at closing?
Red flags
- No portfolio of real, recent projects.
- Vague quotes without a room list.
- Furniture that looks worn or dated in their photos.
- Slow responses before you've even hired them.
What great agents do
The agents we work with most bring us in early, before the listing appointment if they can. They share the photographer's schedule and give sellers one clear timeline. That's how staging lands the day before photos, every time.
Have a listing coming up? Send us the details.
Questions
How do I choose a home stager?
Review their recent portfolio, ask about turnaround, what's included, rental terms, insurance and payment options.
When should an agent bring in a stager?
As early as possible, ideally before the listing appointment, so staging can land the day before photos.
