FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
Staging helps Buyers emotionally connect with your home, often leading to faster sales and better offers. Thoughtful design, decluttering, and depersonalizing can dramatically improve how your property is perceived.
You can receive an instant quote by visiting our Instant Quote. Just fill out a few details about the property, and we’ll provide an estimate.
We tailor our Staging recommendations and pricing based on the list price of the home. Higher-end homes typically require elevated furnishings, larger-scale pieces, and more extensive design to meet Buyer expectations in that price range. The list price helps us align the staging style with the target Buyer demographic.
Staging costs depend on many factors: home size, how many rooms we are staging, price point, property style, location, access, stairs and scope of staging. Without these details, it’s impossible to provide an accurate quote. For proper pricing, please use our Instant Quote tool or contact us directly.
Staging is scaled to match the expectations of the target Buyer. Higher-end homes require more sophisticated furnishings, larger art and accessories, and design details that elevate the entire presentation—all of which impact cost.
We now require payment in full at contract signing if the Staging is scheduled within 21 days. This is because once a Staging is booked, we immediately allocate Staff time, reserve truck and Mover slots, and begin preparing your inventory. Holding a date without full payment is no longer practical given the demand for our services and the logistics required.
We require a credit card on file to secure the value of our furniture and inventory while it is in your home. This applies even if payment is made by check or through a third-party source, such as Zelle. A small $1.00 verification charge may appear on your card when the contract is signed.
Cancellations made with less than 7 days’ notice will result in forfeiture of your payment. In addition, changing your scheduled Staging date with less than 7 days notice also incurs a $700 rescheduling fee. This covers the cost of time, labor, inventory preparation, and Mover scheduling already allocated to your project.
Yes!
Can I stage my home now and pay later?
Yes! Big Style Staging now offers a “Pay at Closing” financing option through our trusted partner, Notable®. This allows you to stage your home and defer payment until closing—with no cash out of pocket. This program is a game-changer for motivated Sellers who want to move quickly and present their home in its best light—without financial delays.
How does the Pay at Closing program work?
Notable® provides an unsecured personal line of credit (up to $50,000) to cover pre-listing costs like staging, painting, repairs, and more. You apply online in minutes with no impact to your credit score. Once approved, Notable pays Big Style Staging directly so we can prepare your home for sale without delay. You then repay the amount from your closing proceeds.
What can the funds be used for?
- Funds can cover most pre-sale improvements, including:
- Home staging
- Painting
- Landscaping
- Flooring
- Cleaning services
- Photography
- Minor repairs
- Inspections
- Moving and storage
The possibilities are endless — Sellers can even use funds for a temporary stay if they need to relocate during renovations!
What are the fees?
The interest rate ranges from 8.99%–16.99% APR, or approximately 1% per month.
- No upfront fees
- No cost if funds aren’t used
- Most homes sell within 90 days, keeping interest minimal
What are the qualifications?
- 680+ FICO score (may vary by state)
- Sufficient equity in the home
- Property must be listed for under $8 million
- Listing agreement must be in place with a licensed real estate agent
- You must be the homeowner or authorized to act on behalf of the owner (LLC, Trust, POA, etc.)
- Additional eligibility criteria applies
Is this a lien or loan on my home?
No. This is an unsecured line of credit—no lien, no title involvement.
How do I apply?
We’ll send you a custom Notable® link to check your offer. The application is quick, private, and has no impact on your credit. Once you’re approved and the funds are released, we’ll get started staging right away.
The Fine Print:
*Results may vary. Notable Finance, LLC does not guarantee or warranty any results. Subject to the terms and conditions of your loan agreement with Notable Finance, LLC. Loans are provided by Notable Finance, LLC, NMLS# 1824748 and are made or arranged pursuant to a California Finance Lenders Law license. Loan eligibility is not guaranteed and all loans are subject to credit approval and underwriting by Notable. Rules and exclusions apply. Subject to terms and conditions (notablefi.com/terms).
**Interest and fees apply. Loan funds, interest, and fees are due upon loan acceleration, twelve months after origination, termination of your listing agreement, or the date on which Notable otherwise suspends your loan for any reasons stated in your loan agreement, whichever occurs sooner. Subject to the terms and conditions of your loan agreement with Notable Finance, LLC.
Sales tax is required by law in the state of Florida when renting tangible goods—such as furniture and decor—which is what staging involves. We are not charging this tax ourselves; we are legally required to collect and remit it directly to the state. If you’re hiring us only for Vacation Rental Design or Consulting Services, those are considered service-based and are not subject to sales tax. However, all Vacant Home Staging projects involve the rental of physical inventory and therefore must include sales tax. If you are tax-exempt, simply send us your current Florida Sales Tax Exemption Certificate, and we will gladly remove sales tax from your invoice.
Our Staging fee is a flat-rate service based on the full scope of design, inventory, installation, and logistics — not prorated by time. Whether your home sells in one day or on day sixty, the full fee covers the cost of the entire Staging process and the value it brings to your sale. Most of our Clients see faster offers because of Staging, which means the investment is doing exactly what it’s designed to do.
We generally complete staging in one full workday. The exception is if severe weather (such as heavy rain) prevents movers from safely moving inventory into the property. In that case, we will reschedule and return to complete the staging as soon as conditions allow.
Staging a home involves complex logistics: coordinating Movers, planning the design, selecting and pulling furniture and packing art and accessories. A minimum of 5-7 days allows us to give your project the attention it deserves and ensures a smooth process.
Staging isn’t just showing up with furniture—it’s an intensive, multi-phase operation. Before we even arrive on-site, our Team has already invested 50 to 80+ hours behind the scenes preparing your property for a flawless, photo-ready transformation.
Here’s a breakdown of the time, Team, and effort involved in Staging a single property:
- 2 hours (Lead Stager): On-site visit to take photos and measurements after contract signing. This ensures your Staging plan is accurate and tailored to your property.
- 3 – 5 hours (Lead Stager): Creation of a custom Staging plan. This involves reviewing notes, photos, and measurements to develop a comprehensive design strategy aligned with Buyer psychology.
- 12 – 20 hours (Lead Stager): Inventory pull and prep. We hand-select furniture, art, and accessories from our warehouse (and purchase additional items if needed), ensuring the design plan is cohesive and complete.
- 8 – 12 hours (1–3 Assistants): Packing and Staging prep. All accessories are bubble-wrapped, labeled by room, and placed with furniture at the loading dock. Furniture is wrapped for transport.
- 4 – 5 hours (2 – 3 Movers + Truck): Physical moving to the property. Transporting all Staging items to your home. For high-rise condos, this can take longer due to freight elevator access or door removal—this is why a Condo Mover Surcharge may apply.
- 18 – 28 hours (Lead Stager + 2 – 4 Assistants): On-site design and installation. Our full Team arranges every piece—furniture, wall art, lighting, accessories—for a cohesive, magazine-worthy finish.
- 4 – 6 hours (2 Assistants): De-staging. Our Team carefully repacks and prepares all items for return transport.
- 4 – 5 hours (2 – 3 Movers + Truck): Physical moving back to warehouse. The Team unloads all inventory and furniture back at our warehouse.
- 7 – 12 hours (2 Assistants): Restocking and organizing. Accessories are unpacked, bins cleaned, and furniture restocked onto our warehouse racks.
Just like Staging, De-Staging requires scheduling Movers and our Staging Team. We require at least 8 days’ written notice to schedule the removal of inventory and ensure an organized transition.
We always recommend staging before going on the market. Staging early helps create a strong first impression, and avoids the need for price reductions later—which are often more expensive than the cost of Staging. Think of Staging as a strategic investment, not just an expense. Properties Staged first tend to photograph better, generate more interest, and sell faster and for more money than homes that sit vacant for weeks before being Staged. *REMEMBER, THE COST OF STAGING WILL ALWAYS BE LESS THAN THE FIRST PRICE DROP.
Yes, we strongly recommend temporarily removing your listing during the Staging process. This gives you a chance to re-list the property as newly Staged and refreshes your listing on MLS and real estate search sites—often bumping it back to the top of Buyer searches. If you stay active during the Staging prep window (which averages 7 days), you’re at risk of receiving an offer before the home is fully Staged. Since our payments are non-refundable once we begin, this can create unnecessary stress and financial loss for the Seller. It’s best to pause your listing, let us work our magic, then come back strong with a beautiful, market-ready presentation.
If a major hurricane occurs and prevents us from accessing your community to remove our Staging items after your 60-day term has ended, we will NOT charge you for the additional days while we wait for access to be restored. However, if a hurricane occurs during your 60-day Staging term and prevents showings, the Staging term STILL CONTINUES as scheduled, and we are not responsible for days lost due to weather-related closures during your term.
For safety, efficiency, and insurance purposes, no one other than our Team may be present during Staging or De-Staging days. This prevents disruptions, protects our inventory, and allows us to work quickly and effectively.
If your community or building has a Guard Gate or Doorman, we need advance clearance for our Movers and Team. This helps avoid delays and prevents additional charges due to waiting times.
Condo staging requires extra coordination: elevator reservations, parking logistics, compliance with building rules and insurance submissions, and frequently longer install times due to limited access points and usage of freight elevator. The condo fee reflects this added time and complexity.
Some condo buildings do not allow our moving truck to park near the freight elevator, which means our Team must haul furniture from the street—often up an incline—to access the building. This adds significant labor and time on both Staging Day and De-Staging Day, and we are responsible for paying the Movers extra for both trips. Because of this, we charge an additional Condo/Mover Surcharge to cover the increased cost and complexity.
The Homeowner or Listing Agent is responsible for securing and paying any required building elevator deposits. We will work with you to coordinate times and logistics.
We do not allow Client input during the planning or installation phase of Staging. Our professional Design Team selects furnishings and designs the space to appeal to the broadest target Buyer demographic—not to individual preferences. If you would like that level of involvement, it becomes more of a Design Project, not Staging. This takes much more time to execute and requires a collaborative back-and-forth process. As such, the pricing would need to be adjusted to reflect that level of engagement.
A key difference between Professional Home Staging and Interior Design is who makes the design decisions. In Staging, the Stager makes the calls—not the Realtor, and not the Homeowner. You are hiring us for our Design and Staging expertise, real estate market knowledge, and understanding of Buyer psychology—not for a furniture shopping service.
You are hiring a Professional Stager—not buying furniture. Our Team designs the Staging plan based on market trends and what appeals to Buyers. Allowing Clients or Realtors to select inventory would undermine the effectiveness of the Staging and turn it into a time-consuming Design project, which is not the goal of Home Staging.
No. Our inventory selections are made to strategically position your home for sale. While you are welcome to view our online portfolio in advance to see our style, we do not allow Clients or Realtors to select individual pieces or request specific styles. If you would prefer that level of involvement, please understand that it would shift the project toward a Design-based service with additional cost and time required.
Our standard Staging term is 60 days. Extensions are available for an additional monthly fee and are quoted in advance.
We complete Staging in one day, and your 60-day term officially begins the following day. This gives your property a full 60 days of active market time with our Staging in place.
At this time, we do not offer paid consultations. Big Style Staging specializes exclusively in Vacant Staging projects and does not provide On-Site Walk-Throughs or consulting for Owner-occupied homes.
No, we do not combine our inventory with the Homeowner’s belongings. Our curated inventory is selected to create a consistent, intentional design. Mixing pieces makes it difficult to match quality and style, and on De-Staging day, it increases the risk of mistakenly taking or leaving items that don’t belong to us.
No. We do not allow anyone to live in or occasionally stay in the home once our inventory is installed. Our furnishings and accessories are for display purposes only and must remain untouched. If we learn that the property is being occupied during the Staging term, this is considered a breach of contract and we reserve the right to remove our inventory immediately.
Yes. We include HDR quality, professional listing photos in every Vacant Staging package to ensure your property looks its best online, where most Buyers will see it first.
No, we include professional HDR still photography with every Vacant Staging package. These photos cover the entire property, not just the rooms we stage. However, Clients also have the option to add video, drone, and twilight photography for additional fees.
No. Professional photography is an integral part of our Staging package and cannot be removed. We want to ensure your home is marketed to its full potential.
Yes. Big Style Staging is a licensed, insured, and Certified Home Staging Company with years of experience and multiple industry awards. We follow all state requirements and professional standards. Certificates of Insurance (COI) availabe upon request.
No — not automatically. Most Homeowner insurance policies do not cover personal property or contents inside a vacant home, which means your homeowner’s policy typically won’t cover our Staging inventory. To address this gap, we offer optional Stagers Risk Management (SRM) insurance to protect our inventory while it is in your home. This policy covers theft, vandalism, water damage, fire, and other covered perils. SRM policies start at $250 for 60 days. Ask us for details.
Big Style Staging has been in business since 2017 as a Boutique Home Staging Company led by Gina Gailing, the Owner and Creative Director. Gina personally leads every Staging project and brings a unique mix of creativity, real estate knowledge, and hands-on experience to every home. We don’t believe in cookie-cutter designs—every Staging is tailored to the property’s style and the target buyer. Our work has earned numerous industry awards for Staging excellence and Client care, and our curated inventory is always on trend. Unlike many companies, we never just send Design Assistants or Subcontractors to stage a property—Gina is always hands-on and present at every Staging installation.
With us, you’ll never get a generic look. We specialize in customized staging that fits your home’s architecture, neighborhood, and price point. As a small business, we offer personal service and accountability. Our consistent recognition and multiple awards by top industry organizations—RESA, IAHSP, Houzz, Fixr, and HSR—demonstrates our professionalism and proven results. Learn more about Gina and our credentials on our About Us page.
Staging enhances the visual appeal of a home, increases marketability, and helps potential Buyers connect emotionally with the space. It provides scale, defines room purpose, draws attention to the home’s positive features, and helps Buyers envision living there. Professionally Staged homes stand out from the competition and often sell faster and for a higher price.
Hiring a Professional Staging Company provides liability protection, ensures quality standards, and avoids legal risks. Licensed companies have proper insurance, ethical guidelines, and contractual obligations that protect both the homeowner and the staging company. It also ensures compliance with HOA rules when applicable.
While Staging dramatically improves how a home presents and can help it sell faster and for a higher price, it does not guarantee a sale. Many factors—such as market conditions, location, and pricing—affect the sale of a home.
Yes! Home Staging is generally tax deductible as a selling expense, which can reduce your capital gains taxes when selling your property. Be sure to save your invoice and consult your tax advisor. (See IRS Publication 523 for details.)
Yes. We proudly offer a 10% discount for Military Veterans and active Service Members. Proof of service is required.
Yes. After Staging, we can provide a complete pricing list if the Buyer wishes to purchase all of the installed staging inventory as-is. We are not a retail store and do not sell individual items. Pricing is based on full replacement cost—not discounted pricing. If your Buyer is interested, just let us know.
Yes! We specialize in designing and setting up short-term rental properties like Airbnbs and Short Term Rentals (STRs) to maximize Guest appeal and get 5-star reviews. From sourcing sturdy, Renter-friendly furnishings to styling every space for professional photos, we handle it all—from concept to install.
We can handle everything: sourcing, purchasing, assembling, unboxing, installing, and styling all furnishings, decor, rugs, linens, and artwork. We fully stock kitchens and bathrooms—including cookware, utensils, towels, and toiletries—and can also include well thought out extras like games, portable baby cribs and guest essentials. We remove all packaging and prep the home so it’s 100% photo-ready.
Yes. High-quality photos are essential for standing out online. We can coordinate professional photography so your listing grabs attention and drives bookings.
Our pricing is fully transparent. We do NOT mark up purchases made on your behalf. You receive all receipts and a breakdown of billable hours at the end of the project. Our income comes solely from our design and project management fees—not hidden markups.
We offer two flexible pricing options to suit your preferences. Some clients prefer a Flat-Rate Package, where all design and setup services are billed at a pre-determined cost. This option provides simplicity with no breakdown of billable hours—just one clear, upfront price with no surprises.
Others prefer our Hourly Billing Structure, which offers full transparency. With this option, we track our design and project management time and provide all receipts and a detailed breakdown of hours at the end of the project. Even with hourly billing, we provide an estimated total cost of our design services at the start so you know what to expect.
Whichever option you choose, in our experience, the final cost typically ends up about the same. And importantly, we never mark up purchases—you pay only what we pay, with all receipts shared for your records. Our income comes solely from our design and project management fees—not hidden markups.
We require two deposits before starting: one for approximately 50% of the estimated furnishing purchases, and one for 50% of our estimated design time. We begin work once both deposits are received and cleared. Additional hours and advances for purchases are billed weekly or as needed.
Yes, you can choose your level of involvement. Most clients prefer us to handle selections independently to streamline the process. If you’d like to approve major items, we’ll let you know in advance so you can be available. Just keep in mind that the more collaboration and back-and-forth for approvals required, the more design time is involved—so Design Service fees will be higher to reflect that added workload.
Yes, we offer light handyman services to support your setup. This includes hanging blackout drapes and curtain rods, installing smart front door locks, mounting all TVs on walls for added safety, and Client controlled programmable A/C thermostats. We ensure your property is guest-ready and tech-equipped. (Camera installation excluded).
Yes. We collaborate with a highly rated Airbnb Superhost who offers full-service Property Management. We tailor our design to her proven hosting standards, ensuring nothing is wasted and your property meets key Guest expectations. That said, you’re not required to use our recommended Manager—we’re happy to work with your chosen Property Manager or directly with You, depending on your preference.
We source from quality, affordable retailers like City Furniture, Rooms To Go, HomeGoods, and our network of trusted Vendors. While we aim to stay budget-conscious, we prioritize durability and guest comfort—especially in high-turnover vacation rentals. We avoid lower-end lines from stores like Wayfair and IKEA, as they often don’t hold up well under repeated guest use. Our selections strike a balance between style, comfort, and long-term performance.
Vacation Rental Design isn’t just about style—it’s about Guest experience, durability, and long-term performance. Unlike traditional design, we focus on selecting furnishings and materials that resist stains, wear, and abuse from frequent turnover. We prioritize pieces that are easy to clean, maintain, and replace if needed. Our goal is to create a space that photographs beautifully, functions well for Guests, and earns consistent five-star reviews—without constant upkeep or costly replacements.
LET’S MAKE YOUR PROPERTY STAND OUT AND SELL FASTER!
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