How Much Does Staging Cost, and Who Pays for it?

Today we are getting down to the nitty gritty and want to answer one of the most common questions we get: 

How much does staging cost, and who pays for it?

Let’s dig in.

Even if you recognize that staging your home may be a good idea, the associated cost is a very real consideration for many folks. 

Before we throw out numbers, it’s helpful to keep in mind that there are two main types of home staging: Vacant and Occupied. Vacant staging is what it sounds like: the sellers vacate the home, along with their belongings, prior to listing. It’s common for vacant stagings to cost a bit more, as the staging company would need to bring ALL furniture and decor into the home. An occupied staging is where the sellers may continue to live in the home during the selling process, and keep some of their personal belongings in the home until closing. In this case, stagers may use some of the seller’s existing pieces and sprinkle in some light staging to create a cohesive and photographable look. This is often (*but not always) the more affordable option. 

Now, onto some real numbers. Below are some examples of staging costs for both Vacant and Occupied homes. 

VACANT

Condo/Smaller Single Family Home

$2000+

Includes living room, dining room, kitchen, and master bed/bath 

Medium-Large Single Family Home

$2500+

Includes living room, dining room, kitchen, master bed/bath, office and/or patio

OCCUPIED

Fully Furnished Home

$750+

Includes soft goods (pillows, blankets, etc.) + small accessories 

Partially Furnished Home

$1000+ 

Includes select furniture pieces, soft goods + accessories

* Costs vary greatly, depending on how much staging furniture is needed

You should expect your costs to vary based on a few factors, such as: 

• The square footage of your home

• Your geographical location, especially in relation to the staging warehouse

• If you have an ancillary dwelling unit, finished basement, or ample outdoor space

• Your timeline and how quickly you are needing the staging to occur

Now that you have an idea of how much it costs to stage a home, the question remains: who pays?

In truth, there is no clear answer. Staging is often paid for by the sellers of the home, as they know they will see a return on this investment in the form of more offers at higher dollar amounts. However, we are seeing more realtors pay for staging or split the cost with their clients. Some brokerages also offer services like Compass’ Concierge or Keller Williams Ready to Sell, where sellers don’t pay any staging costs until their home sells. We encourage you to talk with your realtor (or seller), and determine what the best path forward is for your particular situation. 

Still have questions? Shoot us an email at: info@everlydesign.co and let us help take the guesswork out of the staging process!