How Much Does Home Staging Cost?

Home Staging Cost Factors

Home staging costs vary depending on the details of your home. For example, if your home is vacant, you may need to pay to rent furniture, and home staging may be more expensive in areas with a higher cost of living. Some of the factors that can affect the cost to stage a home include:

• Home occupation status: Whether you live in the house can affect staging costs, with vacant houses costing more to stage than occupied ones since you'll most likely need to rent furniture and other home decors. On the other hand, you may have to pay for move-out cleaning if your house is still occupied. On average, staging a vacant home costs about $2,000, while staging an occupied home costs about $800.

• House size: The larger your house, the more you may have to pay to stage it.

• Location: Where you live is another factor that can affect staging costs. Staging may cost more in different areas of the country and in more upscale neighborhoods. For instance, it costs an average of $1,230 to stage a house in Boston, but $3,400 to stage a home in Los Angeles.

• Purchasing furniture: If your house isn't fully furnished, you may need to purchase appropriate furnishings at an additional cost.

• Repairs, maintenance, and face-lifts: Stagers may recommend you complete certain projects for an additional fee. For example, the cost to paint the home exterior is about $3,000, while the cost to renovate a home can be as much as $18,000 or more.

How to Save Money on Home Staging

There are a few ways to save money on staging if you're on a budget. These include:

• Focusing on only a few rooms: Especially if you have a larger house, you may get away with staging only a few essential rooms, like the entryway, kitchen, and primary bedroom.

• Start with a consultation: Before you pay for a full staging, meet with a stager for a consultation for around $150–$600. In many cases, you may be able to complete recommended staging ideas yourself for a lower cost. 

• Ask your real estate agent: If you plan to stage your house when it goes on the market, check in with your real estate agent. Staging can help houses sell faster, but it's not always necessary. Sometimes, you can sell a home without professional staging.

• Skip extra projects: While some stagers may recommend additional renovations and repairs, these can add up fast. For example, the cost to reface cabinets is about $7,100, while the cost to repaint interior walls is $1,900 on average. If your home is in decent condition, you may want to skip additional cosmetic projects.

What Does a Home Stager Do?

Stagers help your home to look its best and can help you to sell your home faster when it's on the market. If you're currently occupying your house, stagers may do things like rearranging furniture, organizing and decluttering rooms, and recommending additional minor repairs and adjustments. A stager will fill your home with rented furniture and decor if your home is vacant. 

Home stagers can also work with property appraisers who assess the value of your home. The cost of a home appraisal is about $350.

Home Staging Cost Breakdown

Some factors influencing the cost of home staging include the initial consultation, rearranging and decluttering, and more. If your home is unfurnished, you may also need to rent furniture. Some home staging costs are one-time flat fees, while others—like staging fees and furniture rentals—have recurring monthly expenses you'll need to continue to pay until you sell your home.

DIY vs. Hiring a Professional Staging Company

When considering a DIY versus hiring a professional staging company, assess the state of your home and your budget. You might be able to save money by hiring a designer for the consultation before tackling simple repairs and adjustments yourself. Be advised that renting furniture yourself is still a large expense, and you'd still have to handle the setup and teardown. Also, a pro should still handle any complex projects or large-ticket items.

Hiring an experienced home stager near you to do the work can free up your time, reduce stress, and help your house sell quickly—and at a higher price. This is because stagers can install and break down the decor themselves.

FAQs

Is staging a home for sale worth the cost?

Yes, staging a home for sale is well worth the cost. Staged houses spend 33% to 50% less time on the market compared to non-staged homes. Staged homes also sell for 20% higher. This results in an extra 8% to 10% return compared to non-staged homes.

Why is it important to stage your home?

It's important to stage your home because most homebuyers start their search online, looking through photos of each property. Properly staged homes allow prospective homebuyers to better visualize their lives in a new home. Staging can also make homes more attractive for in-person open houses, create a better first impression, and sell faster and for more money.

Who should pay to stage a house?

The seller or real estate agent should pay to stage a house. To save money, sellers can personally hire a local interior designer to make the adjustments. In other situations, the realtor may offer to pay for staging services as part of the selling package or include the fees in the closing costs.

What is virtual staging?

Virtual staging is the process of digitally staging images of your home for prospective buyers. Instead of physically rearranging furniture and decor, stagers digitally add these components to images. Depending on the amount of work involved, virtual staging can cost anywhere from $100 to $1,000.