COVID-19 hit the UK in early 2020 and the economy came to a standstill. It started to recover slowly in the Summer, but we are now in another lockdown and about to go into a Tier system where a high percentage of the country will be severely restricted in Tier 3. Although the property market is allowed to function, some people are nervous to have people in their homes and we don’t know how the housing market will suffer in this fragile economy. In these incredibly difficult times, many business have suffered, and some will not survive. Homestaging businesses were clearly badly affected earlier on in the year, and learnt that we need to diversity our offerings to survive.
So what extra services could you offer, alongside your usual homestaging business and furniture rental services, to get some extra income? I’ve listed below some ideas below, which could work well with your Homestaging business, to get some extra cashflow into your business.
Interior Styling
Interior Styling can be offered as a service to people in your area, who are not planning to move. Interior Styling is the process of showcasing a customer’s unique style, while using their existing furniture and decorative items. By exploring new design ideas, and adding some key pieces, you can create interiors that are stylish, distinctive and reflect the customers personal style and taste.
Internet Shopping
You can offer your customers an internet shopping service, where you purchase furniture, decorative items etc on their behalf – either from wholesale suppliers or online retailers. This way they get your design expertise and style advice, and get the products directly delivered to their door. You can also offer an unpacking and installation service – if they are local. You can charge for this service, and also make a mark-up on the products – which you purchase at wholesale cost or get a discount from the online retailers.
Virtual Home Staging
Although you require some technical skills if you wish to do Virtual Home Staging yourself, as part of your homestaging business, you may be able to partner with an agency. The images look great online, and can be a fantastic selling tool. The main problem with this option is customer disappointment when they actually go to view the property – but it has proved very popular during the COVID-19 crisis.
Furniture Packs (HMO and SA)
Do you offer Furniture Packs to HMO and Serviced Accommodation owners in your homestaging business? This can be a great way to earn some additional income. You can partner with several UK wide Furniture Pack Suppliers – and they will pay a commission on each completed transaction – approximately 10% of the total cost (excluding VAT). This has the additional benefit of enabling you to offer a service outside of your local area, and earning income with very little effort on your part. You organise the quote, and send onto the client – and once the transaction has gone through you receive your commission.
Or you can design your own furniture packs, from furniture items and decorative pieces, soft furnishings etc available wholesale through your suppliers. If your clients are local you can add the installation service, but if further afield you can just offer to style and design the space, purchase the furniture and get all delivered to your clients address.
Dropshipping
Some suppliers have now added dropshipping as a service – as their retail clients are struggling with shops having to be closed again. This means that they will now ship directly to the end client. So why not add furniture, artwork, soft furnishings and decorative items to an online shop on your website?
Reduce your bills
One way of reducing your outgoings is checking to see that you are paying the least you can for your electricity, gas and broadband – and offering this service to your clients, both personal and commercial.This can be a fantastic way to add an additional income stream to your business, and help your clients along the way! You earn £250+ for each customer you introduce. Click here for more details.
Mobile phone tariffs
Ensure that you are paying the cheapest possible tariff on your mobile phone. The best possible tariff at the moment is £20 per month for unlimited data, texts and calls – with up to 3 additional SIMs in your household at a cost of only £10 per month (also unlimited data, texts and calls). This could mean a huge saving for your family. Again you can also offer this to your clients, and earn a commission for each customer. Click here for more details.
easyStorage
Easy – the well known ‘Orange’ brand has now started doing Storage! They are different to other brands in that they collect, store, and return. Your customers won’t have to lift a finger, and it’s half the price! They are looking for partners – and offer £100 for every customer referred to them. The customer also receives a discount – so its a win win. Click here for more details – and use DTS25 for a £25 discount.
Affiliate marketing
There are several affiliate marketing networks online. This enables you to promote some of the world’s best known home and interior design brands on your own website, and get a referral income every time someone clicks on the advert and then goes onto purchase. Take a look at:
Align with local businesses
Talk to local property photographers, handymen, removals firms, painters and solicitors. Get a power team together so you can all help clients organise whatever they need to get ready to put their house on the market, move or sell – and offer them a reduction on the costs if they use the recommended supplier. The power team can all help each other get referrals and business and agree on a reduced rate for recommended clients.
Align with local Homestagers and Interior Designers
Talk to other local Homestagers and Stylists to see if you can partner with them and maybe swap furniture when required, or share storage to reduce costs.
If you would like to know more about any of the ideas above, please contact me, and I can send you more details.
