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Questions & Answers
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What advice would you give to a customer looking to hire a company like yours?
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I would advise customers to look at the designer's certification and training. I would also advise them to look at the project photos on their website and social media. Reviews from past customers are also a good indication whether or not a designer might be a good choice for you.
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What is the most common type of project or service your company provides?
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Most often, my projects are staging a home for the market, decorating and redesign projects for homeowners who want to update and refresh their home's style, and color consultations in conjunction with these services or.
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What would you like your customers to know about your company?
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I enjoy working with people to help them achieve their goals, whether it's selling their home quickly for top price or re-designing their home to improve its function and style. I love bringing rooms to life with color and decor and bringing smiles to clients' faces when they see the end results. I am conscientious and I always work within their budget to bring about the biggest transformations possible. Helping people is the driving reason I do this kind of work!
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What separates your company from the competition?
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I offer a variety of services, from home staging, to redesigning and decorating, to shopping services with to-the-trade discounts, and finally color consulting to help my clients choose the right colors. My prices are reasonable and customers get a big bang for their buck. Selling a home or redesigning one or more rooms can feel overwhelming and stressful. I work hard to make it easier for my clients and hopefully fun as well. In the end, I want my clients to be completely happy with the results!
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Describe a project or service that your company recently completed (include challenges, costs, and innovative solutions).
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I worked recently with a couple on the verge of retirement, who were downsizing and needed to sell their house in the suburbs. Their furniture was very dated, there was too much of it, and it wasn't arranged to function well in the space. They also needed to declutter. During the initial consultation, I gave advice and suggestions about what to keep and what to sell, store, or give away. They had a very tight budget, so they ended up renting some newer items and accessories from me at a very reasonable rate, and they also purchased a few items that they could take with them to their new condo. After they and their family did the initial cleaning and decluttering, I spent an additional two hours with them staging the home. We "hid" the dated furniture with pillows and throws, did some furniture re-arranging to improve flow, and hung new wall art. After adding fresh accessories, it looked completely different! We stayed within their budget, and the homeowners said they wished they had hired me years earlier.
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Is your company a member of any associations?
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Yes, I am a member of the Real Estate Staging Association, and I am also a member of Business Networking International (BNI).
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Tell us a little about your company.
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I started my company in the Fall of 2017 after my husband and I moved to the Twin Cities Metro Area. I completed a certification course in home staging and redesign and an additional course in color consulting through The Home Staging Resource (HSR), a comprehensive professional training course accredited by RESA, which is the governing body of the home staging industry. I work with homeowners who want to sell their homes and need to merchandise and market them to appeal to buyers. I also work with homeowners who are not selling their home, but want to update their home's design and decor to improve function and better reflect their style. They often know what they like, but they need professional design help to achieve their vision. I offer color consulting services, either in conjunction with staging and designing or as a stand-alone service, to help clients choose the ideal paint colors for their home. Finally, I offer shopping services for clients who need help choosing furniture, fixtures and finishes, wall art, and accessories as they transform their homes from tired and "blah" to beautiful! I can often get to-the-trade discounts for my clients as well. I am a "people" person who enjoys working with customers, and I provide the professional guidance they need to help them reach their goals.
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What forms of payment do you accept? (cash, check, credit cards, etc.)
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I currently accept cash and checks, and I plan to add credit cards in late 2018.
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How We Charge For Our Services
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Home Staging - Prepare to Sell or Rent
- $85.00 to $100.00 per hour
- $349.00 fixed fee for 1/2 day staging consultation
- $699.00 fixed fee for 1 day staging consultation
I charge a fee of $199 for a 2-hour walk-through consultation with a follow-up written report. Homeowners can follow the suggestions from the report themselves, or they can choose to hire me for a half or whole day staging session. Half-days (4 hours) are $349, and whole days are $699 (8 hours). We work with their existing furniture and accessories. Homeowners can also choose to rent wall art and accessories from me in order to update their home's decor, or they may decide to purchase some new items. I also offer shopping services at $65/hour if they want help with this. I often get to-the-trade discounts for clients at participating retailers. I provide occupied staging services only.
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Interior Decorators - Residential
- $85.00 to $100.00 per hour (plus materials)
I provide a design concept for homeowners based on how they want their room(s) to function, and also that reflects their personal style and color preferences. I work with homeowners to first figure out their preferences using photographs and questionnaires, then assist them in finding the right furniture, art, and accessories to complete the vision. For more comprehensive changes requiring new flooring, cabinetry, counter tops, and tile, I can often get money-saving "to-the-trade" discounts that are only available to designers and contractors.
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