Who Pays for Home Staging?

What Calgary, AB area homeowners should know.

Who pays for home staging?

It’s one of the most common questions we get asked. And an important one, because sellers want to plan, budget, and make informed decisions about preparing their home for the market. Staging is a powerful marketing tool, but knowing how the costs are typically handled removes uncertainty and puts sellers in control of the process. Let's talk about who pays for home staging in Calgary.

Do Realtors Cover the Cost of the Staging Consultation?

In Calgary, it’s common for Real Estate Agents to pay for or include the staging consultation as a valuable addition to their listing package. This allows sellers to receive expert, customized advice to prepare the home before the professional photos. During a Consultation, sellers receive customized recommendations for every part of their listing. They are provided strategies and solutions to make each space marketable, and a clear plan to get the home photo-ready.

Who Pays for Full Hands-On Staging?

Full hands-on staging services, which include furniture and accessory rental, delivery, setup, and removal, are generally covered by the homeowner. As the property sellers, they benefit the most from achieving a higher sale price and quicker results. This applies to both vacant and occupied homes.

Some realtors pay for this service or cover a portion of the cost, but this depends on the individual agent, the price point, and their marketing budget.

We collaborate with realtors and their clients to accommodate their specific needs on each project.

Why It’s Worth the Investment

Staging consistently delivers one of the highest returns in real estate marketing.

Did You Know? According to the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA), 36% of homeowners and 18% of agents or teams pay for staging services — and the average ROI (return on investment) can exceed 3,500%.

When you look at those numbers, it’s easy to see why most sellers view staging as a smart investment, not an expense.

Recently, we assisted sellers in the SW community of Richmond who were selling their bungalow and moving to another province. The home would be occupied during the consultation, and it was determined that a few staging items were necessary to enhance the home's appeal to match the asking price and attract potential buyers. The realtors and sellers decided on a higher listing price, confident in the property's value, yet concerned it might seem high to buyers. Staging was crucial to justify this price and attract interest. We returned with carefully selected staging inventory to prepare the home right before the photoshoot. Within a few days of listing, the sellers received multiple offers and accepted one that was $80,000 above the asking price. Their staging investment was $1,300, resulting in a 6053.85% return on their investment!

How Much Should Sellers Budget for Staging

Home staging costs vary depending on the size of the home, whether it’s vacant or occupied, and how many rooms are staged. As a general guideline, sellers can expect to invest between $250 for a consultation and up to $4,000+ for full-service hands-on staging in the Calgary area.

Think of staging with us as a flexible service; we work with our clients to find solutions that work for them to match their budget, goals and timeline.

Choosing a Realtor Who Values Staging

Because every realtor approaches staging differently, sellers should ask how staging is supported before they commit to working with someone. The best agents understand the value of presentation and work closely with professional stagers to ensure the home is market-ready before the photos are taken.

We work with many Calgary realtors who use staging to elevate their clients' listings and achieve successful sales. Whether with just a consultation or full, hands-on services, staging their listings can increase the number of viewings and offers for their sellers.

Ready to Stage Your Home?

If you’re preparing to sell your home in Calgary and want clarity, confidence, and a plan that works, a pre-listing consultation is the perfect place to start.

Book your Pre-Listing Consultation today, and let’s position your home to stand out in today’s market.