If you’re thinking about how to become a home stager, one of the first steps many people take is to create their home staging business plan.

This is a short document that outlines things like your getting-started budget, what services you’ll offer, and how much money you expect to make.

A business plan might sound scary if you’re someone with little business experience. Or it might be exciting if you’re a natural-born planner!

Regardless, I encourage all my Staging Diva home staging students not to get hung up on big formal plans.

If you follow the business model that I teach in my home staging courses, you’ll realize that I scaled my home staging business to making up to $10,000 a month on a shoestring budget.

Keep reading to learn how you can write your own plan!

Steps to Make a Home Staging Business Plan

1. Choose a Name for Your Staging Business

I recommend that every new home stager starts by sitting down and thinking of a name for their business. This will get you excited about beginning to promote your business, and better yet it will make things feel official!

It’s also an opportunity to consider your business’s personality. Do you want to choose a company name that evokes elegance, or perhaps something a little more fun? Are you going to use a tag line that goes with your company name?

Check out my tips for choosing a home staging company name if you get stuck.

2. Decide on Your Budget to Get Started

Home staging is one of the least expensive businesses to start, so this doesn’t need to be a big part of your home staging business plan.

Regardless, make a budget so you know how much you can spend on things like home staging training, getting a logo and business cards, marketing materials, etc.

If you can’t afford much right now, that’s okay! Because you’ll be your own boss, you can grow your staging business at whatever pace feels comfortable for you.

And when you follow my Staging Diva Business Model, you’ll need very little money to get started. You’ll be able to start on a shoe string, just like I did.

Whatever you do, make sure you don’t waste any money on the most common home staging business traps:

Paying for expensive home staging certifications: Home staging is an unregulated industry, which means that companies promising to give you “official” credentials are making false claims.
Investing in a home staging inventory: This is totally unnecessary, and will cut into your bottom line.
Spending money on magazine ads, newspaper ads, and door-to-door postcards or flyers. There are tons of no-cost marketing things you can do that are not only free, but work even better!
Giving away your time with free home estimates, or significantly discounting your services to real estate agents.

3. Make a List of Services to Offer Home Staging Clients

There are many ways to be a successful home stager. A key part of your home staging business plan is outlining what kind of business you want to have.

For example, some home stagers specialize in vacant properties that require furniture to be brought in.

Personally, while I’ve staged tons of vacant homes over the years, I like to focus on home staging consultations for owner-occupied homes. They’re fast, simple and pay well. Plus, I love choosing colors and rearranging furniture that’s already in a home!

You should also take this opportunity to consider how much money a home stager makes.

Many home staging projects involve doing a single meeting, so make sure you’re not the cheapest stager in your area! Otherwise you won’t make any money, and you’ll attract clients that don’t value your services.

With the right pricing strategy, many home stagers make more from 2 or 3 staging projects per month than they did working full-time jobs!

I teach my exact pricing strategy in the Staging Diva Home Staging Business Training Program because it’s so important.

4. Brainstorm How to Get the Word Out

Are any of your friends thinking about selling their homes? Do you know any real estate agents that can help you get started?

Even if you answered “no” to both of these questions, there are tons of cheap ways to spread the word about your home staging business.

The two most important parts of your home staging marketing will be your website and home staging portfolio. Click here to learn how you can build a portfolio in one weekend!

If you’re really stuck on how to market your home staging business, check out my Simple Marketing Plan Companion.

It keeps things super simple! I’m all about one page plans rather than getting bogged down writing big reports, you’ll likely never read! 😎

Comments

sukhy says

September 13, 2021 at 7:11 pm

i am in the beginning stages of starting up my home staging business.
My business is now incorporated and I want as low possible start up
cost. I don’t want inventory only a small amount for start up.
Any Advice?
- Debra Gould says
  
  September 14, 2021 at 3:12 pm
  
  Hi Sukhy, thanks for commenting. You are absolutely right to want to keep your start up costs low. That’s the right way to go. I teach a complete business model for home stagers and in there I share in detail how you don’t need any of your own furniture or accessories to be a home stager. I’ve run my own staging business that way since 2002 and teaching others how to do the same since 2005. Staging Diva Graduates make a profit from their very first project and they have a way simpler business to run because they don’t have the debt that comes with inventory, among other things.
  
  I encourage you to check out the program, it won’t duplicate anything you’ve learned elsewhere. I teach a comprehensive and unique approach to starting and growing a home staging business.

“The Staging Diva Business Training Program is worth every penny!

While there are other home staging courses out there, I’m so happy I follow the business model Debra teaches in her program. It is specific, concise, and thoroughly explained.

In addition to her courses, Debra offers SO many supplemental materials that are incredibly helpful too. The community of Staging Diva Graduates is another bonus, as we all support each other and share each other’s wins.”
— Cristin Lyons (NC)*Raleigh Staging & Design

“The Staging Diva Program is very well organized and explains in the most straightforward terms how to set up your business, maintain and grow it.

By the time I was on Course 3, I had already completed three home staging jobs which more than paid for all the training!

Debra’s step-by-step process allowed me to start a 2nd career doing something I probably should have been doing all along!”
— Rob Reinhart (CA)*Make It-Home

“Once I decided home staging was for me, I was terrified of starting my own business. Staging Diva Training gave me the confidence to do what I love, and contribute to our income after being out of the work force for 15 years.

Debra gave me the information I needed to get over my fear of failure, charge what I’m worth, and get out there and start my home staging business!”
— Kelli Hughes (TX)*ReAbode Home Staging and Redesign

“I felt like I hit the jackpot when I found the Staging Diva Program. I bought it without hesitation and began my training immediately.

I’m excited and inspired. The courses exceeded my expectations and gave me the knowledge to confidently start my own staging business.

So grateful for what I learned from Debra. She shares her gifts and talents so generously!”
— Mary-Maye Lorriman (UK)*Room by Room Interiors Ltd

“The Staging Diva Program was such an influential part of my home staging business plan. The business tools, processes and procedures Debra Gould outlines in the program set you up for success.

I have taken other courses but none compare to the comprehensive program with Staging Diva.

I truly appreciate all Debra’s help and guidance through the courses and group coaching calls. She is such a great inspiration!”
— Lori Carbone (NJ)*Spaces That Speak Home Staging

“I love Debra Gould’s straight forward approach and candor. As a home stager, she knows first-hand what it’s like in the field. Debra is running her own staging business as a real business and knows what it takes.

Debra is truly an uplifting woman and I continue to aspire to follow her lead. Her amazing passion for home staging is felt all the way over here on the Jersey Shore.”
— Wynette Williams (NJ)*Red Robyn Interiors

“The Staging Diva Program taught me many secrets about home staging consultations— especially how to charge, and have no inventory.

I took another home staging course before Debra’s and the Staging Diva Program really helped build my business. Debra forced me out of my comfort zone, she is such an inspiration! Now I know I can make a difference in many people’s lives.”
— Susan Bierig (NJ)*Re-deZine The Shore Way LLC

“I loved Debra’s no-nonsense style of running a home staging business, it’s very easy and straightforward. She keeps it simple, and it all “clicked” for me.

I now have the confidence to get out there and do what I am passionate about. I knew I had the talent, and now I have the business knowledge to round out my staging business. Thank you Debra!”
— Judy Chizmar (PA)*Judy Chizmar Home Transformations

“The Staging Diva Program is fantastic! I wish I had found it before completing a different home staging course. The program provided me with valuable business information that the other course lacked.

I am very impressed with Debra Gould. It is quite evident that she is honest and ethical in all her dealings with her students and clients, and that’s #1 in my books.

She truly has become my mentor!”
— Monique Milne (MB)*Milne Well Dressed Homes (MB)

“I’m so glad I came across the Staging Diva Home Staging Training Program. It’s a perfect fit for me with Debra sharing her business model and what has worked for her. She takes the guess work out of how to run a successful home staging business.

Debra is supportive, down to earth and has a wealth of experience under her belt. I can now express my creative passion with more confidence following her guidance.”
— Shelley Giffin (QLD AU)*Rooms for Miracles

“The Staging Diva Program is very comprehensive, flows well, is explained simply, and the content is engaging. I loved the combination of information from Debra mixed in with student questions.

I do not need a business background to be successful as a home stager after taking the Staging Diva courses. They gave me the confidence I needed, to know that I can be successful.”
— Haana Nyamekye (MD)*Zuri Sophia Interiors

“I love that I’m pursuing a career that pays me to be creative, rather than spending my time working for someone else.

Plus, I have the freedom to be available to my family when they need me.

The Staging Diva Program filled in all the questions that I still had after completing another ‘hands on’ program. Thank you Debra, I now have the confidence to build my staging business.”
— Tracie Lacroix (BC)*Sold by Design

“This is the first time in my 57 years of life that I am pursuing something solely for myself — despite my often paralyzing fear!

I’m optimistic and excited to see what the new year has in store for me— due in large part to having found the Staging Diva Program and feeling prepared to take this new journey as a home stager. Debra, thank you sincerely!”
— Lisa Tyus-Lee (OH)*Lights Camera Stage LLC

“Debra’s knowledge and expertise on how to start a home staging business have inspired me.

As a seasoned Real Estate Agent who already staged clients homes, I believe this is a great business to be in.

I am moving my dream of staging homes into a separate business because Debra taught me how in the Staging Diva Program. Thank you Debra!”
— Leslie Manson (BC)*Staging Homes by Leslie

“I appreciate Debra’s candid approach. It’s the reason I chose the Staging Diva Program over other home staging courses.

My first project sold the first day on the market for more than the asking price. This confirmed I’m in the right business.

Thank you, Debra!”
— Casey McDougall (TX)*Custom Home Staging

“I loved the Staging Diva Program! I was skeptical about the format at first, but it was great. The notes were concise and easy to follow. Students asked questions I was wondering about myself, and Debra is clear and direct.

I’m confident in my decorating abilities, but wasn’t sure how to run a professional and profitable staging business. Debra walks you through the entire process.”
— Deborah Brischler (CA)*Home Staging Solutions

“The Staging Diva Program will help me avoid possible mistakes and has provided great clarity on many grey areas— which is great!

I love staging homes and since doing the program, I love it even more as I am confident that I can provide a really worthwhile and valuable service! These home staging courses are very practical. I wish I had completed them sooner!”
— Clodagh Doyle (Ireland)*Placelift Property Renovation Specialists

“I have never been so driven, passionate and totally motivated as I have been since completing the Staging Diva Program. I have not lost any steam nor any excitement.

The fact that the program is start-up business and marketing related to home staging makes it so perfect.”
— Dane Caldwell (ON)*2 Hounds Design

“I knew what I wanted to do as a home stager, but I didn’t know how to go about it. Staging Diva gave me the processes and I followed them.”
— Meg Ritchie (AU)*Gold Coast Homestaging

“I already have a knack for the decorating part of home staging, but I lacked the business side of things.

The Staging Diva Program was great to have at my fingertips so I could listen at my own speed and in my own time.

I was concerned about handling all the paperwork I thought had to be involved in the contracts and such, but Staging Diva has made it SO much easier!!”
— Amy Brown (MO)*Simply Staging by Amy

Steps to Make a Home Staging Business Plan

1. Choose a Name for Your Staging Business

2. Decide on Your Budget to Get Started

3. Make a List of Services to Offer Home Staging Clients

4. Brainstorm How to Get the Word Out

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