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Liability Waivers, Insurance and Contracts, Oh My!!
Agents and Homeowners… does your favorite stager have an enforceable contract? Is the company insured and certified? Do they have a liability waiver?
I am not a big Facebook person, but I do monitor many stager's groups to keep a finger on the pulse of our industry. I am a longtime staging/redesign certification trainer and it’s my job to stay ahead of the curve in our fairly young staging universe.
One burning question that seems to come up again and again, “What do you have on your contract concerning…?” It could be a question about the pet policy, the de-staging notice, the heating and air conditioning requirement, the liability disclaimer. What if the agent is fired? What if he/she makes a decision the homeowner doesn’t know about? What if someone is injured. So many opportunities for disaster.
It is surprising to me that trained stagers would need to ask questions about contracts. I know there are untrained stagers out there because I meet them frequently. They take my classes. There are no government regulations for our industry so it’s like the wild, wild West out there.
If you are an agent or a homeowner, BEWARE! If you’re cute, Susie Stager has a pretty card and website, but no enforceable contract or certification or insurance, you could be at risk.
I served on the education and leadership academy for the Real Estate Staging Association for 3 years. I speak from experience.
If you are a new stager or it’s been a long time since you attended a certification class, LISTEN UP! Here are some things you need on your contract. Certainly, have an attorney help you with the legal verbiage. But here goes…
Obviously, you need – Date, Name, Address, Phone, Email, (if vacant - current address), Access or Lock-Box code. List exactly what will happen, rooms that will be staged, when the lease will end and what happens if it needs to be extended.
Terms must indicate:
- Tell them the deposit amount required to put them on the schedule, and when the balance is due, whether you take checks, credit card, PayPal.
- They must have the home cleaned professionally and ready to be staged.
- No major repairs can be done after the staging is in place, without permission.
- Nothing should be moved or removed without permission.
- Candles cannot be lit or linens used. They are for display only.
- We have permission to put hangers in the wall. The owner must touch up wall after removal.
- Our team is trained, certified, and insured.
- We have permission to photograph the room and use in our marketing.
- We need running water, heating and air conditioning. We also need locks for the exterior doors for the safety of our stagers while in the house.
- No showings can be scheduled on staging day.
- Ideally, Real Estate photography should happen the following day.
- The staging day can be rescheduled because of inclement weather.
- The style choices are specific to the demographic and may not be the homeowner's particular taste. We reserve the right to choose the style of furniture and accessories.
- The homeowner or agent must provide access to the property.
- The agent has permission to make choices for the homeowner. __initials___
- If the agent is released, the contract is still in force.
- We need 5 to 7 days notice for termination of the contract or rescheduling the appointment. There will be a fine if this requirement cannot be met.
- We need 5 to 7 days notice to de-stage.
- Both parties agree to hold each other harmless. Any liability would not be more than the total cost of the staging.
- The homeowner has the right to enter into the contract. (a live-in girlfriend/boyfriend cannot sign the contract because she/he is not a legal owner of the house.)
These terms are the foundation of our basic vacant contract. The legal language should be written out by an attorney in your state. Additional terms will be needed to customize for different situations. Such as, pets must be offsite or contained on the staging day.
Because we are in touch with social groups who lead or train stagers around the country, we hear horror stories of stagers, agents or homeowners who have an unnecessary legal disaster.
Protect yourself! All of the forms and contracts, liability waivers, etc. are part of our training. The contracts alone are worth more than the price of our class.
Agents and homeowners… Don’t hire a stager who is not certified, insured and has an enforceable contract.
Home stagers… Don’t jump into this business without all of the legal safety nets that you need.
If I sound like your mother, it's for a good reason. Be professional and safe!! Till next time...


