Start a full-service home staging business with inventory

Real estate agents, home sellers, builders and developers with model homes, and landlords with rental units.

An initial design and setup fee, then a monthly rental fee for the furniture, usually with a minimum number of months. Extra fees apply for longer listings or for pickup.

• Strong design sense and good taste across styles
• Project management and scheduling
• Able to lift, move and set up furniture, or manage helpers who can

• General liability insurance, plus coverage for your inventory and for items in transit or in storage
• Workers' compensation insurance once you hire movers or helpers, check your state's rules
• Check your city or county for business license and sales tax rules on rentals
• Storage and inventory costs run whether or not you have jobs, so grow stock slowly
• Furniture can get damaged, so use clear contracts covering damage and lost items

Startup costs are typically around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on how much furniture and decor you buy, and storage and transport. This is an estimate, and the idea suggests growing stock slowly.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on how many homes you stage, your fees and the size of your inventory. These are estimates, not guarantees, and the idea assumes at least about 15 hours a week.

Check general liability insurance plus coverage for inventory in transit or storage. Check your state's workers' compensation rules if you hire helpers, and your city or county for business license and sales tax rules on rentals. Use clear contracts covering damage and lost items.