Prop Libraries, are they worth it?

To follow up on an earlier blog, I wanted to share with other stagers my thoughts on why creating and maintaining a Prop Library is a GOOD business decision.

While some stager's suggest that it is easy to find perfect "hidden treasures" in and around a home that could be used to stage the property, I find THAT is not always the case. In fact I find it not to be the case most of the time.

If the purpose and reason for staging is to help the seller BEST prepare and merchandise their home for its sale, then why would you NOT want to have a Prop Library? The access to our library gives us the ability and flexibility to provide an effective and COMPLETE staging solution for ALL clients... regardless of need.

Prop Libraries REALLY help the seller. They save the seller time as they do not have to go out to find a "prop" on their own. It saves them CONSIDERABLE money, for they need not buy items at FULL retail. And, let's face it, even if they have the time and money to go out and shop, some sellers lack good taste...remember scale, proportion, style and color DO matter.

Working with and having access to furniture rental companies furnishings is helpful (and we do use rental companies when the job calls for it). But recognizing their own limitations a MAJOR furniture rental company here in Chicago looks to us to add the "bling" on top of what they can provide.
The NEGATIVES about having a Prop Library are:

1. They are VERY expensive to create, manage and maintain.
2. It takes time to source and stock... and time is money.
3. Managing what is going out and coming in is a logistical hassle (we are currently having a software application created to manage this for us)
4. Moving props in and out of a property as many times as we do creates wear and tear on the props, and sometimes damages beyond repair.
5. Warehousing is another financial issue.
6. Shipping to and from requires having or renting a truck/van.

So why do we do it? Because, it BEST serves our clients.

To date, our library valued at nearly $80,000 sends a STRONG message to our clients that WE believe in staging and a commitment and investment in a Prop Library will differentiate you from the competition.

Prop Libraries send the clear MARKETING MESSAGE... "you don't dabble in staging, you DO IT!"