Home staging decorator

Home sellers, real estate agents and property developers with new builds or condos to sell.

A consultation fee, then a project fee that usually covers styling and a monthly rental charge for any furniture you supply.

• Styling and spatial planning
• Working with real estate agents
• Managing a small stock of furniture and décor
• Moving and setting up furniture

• Commercial general liability insurance, plus cover for stock and for items in clients' homes
• Storage costs and moving furniture add up, so price them into every quote
• Heavy lifting and winter driving conditions, so plan your schedule and vehicle access
• Check your municipality for any business licence rules
• Work depends on the housing market, which can slow down and affect demand

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on how much furniture and décor you own, your storage space and your insurance. Storage and moving costs add up, so price them into every quote.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on how many homes you stage, the size of each job and your furniture stock. Work depends on the housing market. Plan for at least about 15 hours a week.

Check commercial general liability insurance, including cover for stock and for items in clients' homes. Also check your municipality for any business licence rules, and plan for heavy lifting and winter driving conditions when you schedule moves.