Secrets to Successful Thrifting

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Looking to stage your home on a shoestring? Then put Salvation Army and other charity thrift stores on your list of places to shop.

It's no secret that thrift stores are the places to go for bargains in almost every department.

What's not as well known is exactly how to find those treasures in the mess.

I want to give you the pointers that will make the difference between whether you walk away empty-handed, or walk away with bags of furnishings you can use to stage every room.

I discovered the world of second-hand shopping years ago when I was pregnant with my first child. To keep up with my changing body shape, I purchased a couple of new outfits almost every week.

By the time my daughter was born, I owned an impressive wardrobe of maternity clothing, one I could never have afforded if purchased new. (And one, as every new mom understands, I couldn't wait to get rid of.)

Since that time, I have relied on thrift stores and garage sales to furnish and stage homes, decorate gardens, provide reading material and toys, give me crafting supplies, and dress my husband, my children, and myself. Here are my best tips. 


Keep your cool

It helps to know what you are looking for. Otherwise, it's too easy to be influenced by price. Don't become a junk junkie. Have a list or a specific purpose when you go thrifting.

I knew I needed a matching pair of table lamps, so when I saw the two pictured above, I scooped them up for $5.

Look for classics 

Thrift stores are showplaces for the quirky, the bizarre, the funky. That's one of the reasons people love them. But when you thrift to stage your home, you are hunting for what doesn't go out of style, or call attention to itself in a staged home.

Not that lava lamp. Not the iridescent purple shower curtain. Not the framed sharks teeth collection.

Hunt for simple shapes and timeless designs. Mid-century modern furniture, Asian-inspired table lamps, well-constructed bookcases, white curtains, basic end tables, large matching frames and vases, coffee table books, leggy furniture that makes rooms look more spacious, and generous outdoor planters, are examples of good buys.

Think ahead

Be realistic about what you are willing and able to do once you get your new-old things home.

Do you have the tools, the time, and the know-how to recover an upholstered piece, paint a stained dining room table and six chairs, or change the hem in lined draperies, for instance? Do you have the space for doing this kind of work?

Buyer beware

Examine what you are considering buying before you actually buy it. You can't return items. If you are accustomed to shopping only regular retail, your mind may not run in this path.

Although most thrift stores scrutinize what they put out, don't assume anything. A lamp part could be missing. Fabric stains may be incurable. Dresser knobs may not match. Sometimes the repair will offset the savings, like a new tempered glass for that outdoor tabletop, or the fabric needed to slipcover that chair.

Be prepared 

Drive a vehicle that will transport your bargains. Bring a tape measure. Bring hand sanitizer. Bring your list. Bring cash. 

Be persistent

Pick your favorite thrift store(s) and go there regularly. Ask about when new merchandise is put out. Hop in on your lunch hour, or on your way home from work, on Saturday mornings (although not always the best time), or whenever you can.

The more you haunt these places, the more "luck" you'll have. The best bargains are sold first. However, that doesn't mean there aren't treasures waiting for you that have been on the shelf for weeks. One homeseller's trash is another homeseller's treasure.

Deal with your distaste

For those of you who don’t like the way some second-hand stores smell, wear some of your favorite fragrance so you aren’t as discouraged or distracted by an off-putting aroma.

If what you want to buy has an unpleasant scent, reconsider. Some scents just never go away, no matter how much fresh air, bleach or baking soda you use. 

Upgrade your shopping experience

If you feel thrift stores are too tacky, bump yourself up to consignment stores, where the owners are more particular and you won’t have to check everything over for stains, missing parts, or poor quality. You’ll pay a little more than at Goodwill, but still way less than la-de-dah “maul” stores.

Don't wait

The sooner you start your search for frugal staging furniture and props, the better. You can't beat the prices for both essentials and the extras that make staging economical, especially when you are staging a vacant house. Unlike online shopping, you get to handle and take home what you've chosen the same day. No waiting, no guesswork, no shipping charges. 

I hope you'll have fun on your thrifting expeditions, and bring back bargains that add to your home's look of luxury and warmth. But buy only the bargains that work for home staging, not clutter. Remember, you'll be moving soon!


I give examples of decor styles that work well for home staging, the ones to look for in second-hand stores, in my eBook, DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar. The more you know, the better your staged home will look and the faster it will sell.


So You Think You're Not the Thrift Store Type?

Monday, April 25, 2011
Are you holding back from shopping at thrift stores because you believe that ...
  • There's only broken down junk there?
  • Everything is old and out of date?
  • Only poor people shop there?
  • You'll never find anything you like in the mess?
  • You need a big imagination for buying second-hand stuff?
  • You don't paint or do crafts, so you couldn't make whatever you drag home look good?
Today we are going to dispel these myths because I want you to be a good thrifter.

I've collected a group of my own photographs to prove my point that good stuff goes out the front door of Goodwill, Salvation Army, and other charity shops every day. I know that some readers are confirmed, even compulsive, second-hand shoppers.

But many others think that every time you bring home a thrift store item, it doesn't become a treasure until you've painted it, or repurposed it, or added handles, or framed it, or distressed it, or taken it apart to repair it, or combined it with something else to make it beautiful or usable. Wrong.

The "silver" julep cup pictured above set me back $2.99, but the best part was, I didn't have to find silk lilies for it. The price included the flowers. Off the shelf, I had a pretty table-topper ready for staging.

The lovely globe you see here cost me $2. Yes. Someone didn't want it because it was out-of-date, but I think it's a classic, perfect for adding interest to the corner of a staged room without taking up space.

Does it take some imagination to go thrifting and come home with what will work for your home staging? I prefer to say it takes focus. Second-hand shopping is not like the usual retail experience, where the merchandise is lined up by category and size and color, and you simply narrow your search to what you need.

When I shop second-hand stores, I usually have a specific purpose in mind, either specific or general. That's my focus. I might even keep repeating to myself what my focus actually is. "Ginger jar table lamp, ginger jar table lamp..." as I browse the shelf of lamps.

Focus also means not getting distracted by what's surrounding the merchandise. With practice, your eye learns to isolate each item, so that you can judge each one independently. There are no department store mannequins (usually), no music, no perfumed air, or artfully arranged groupings to capture your attention and entice you to buy. What you see is what you get, so look carefully.

You have to be your own salesperson and store manager, as well as the customer.


A home stager can't have too many pretty boxes. To give you an idea of their scale, these two boxes are a little larger than a typical cigar box. One is made from shells, and the other is woven reed, and they are both super handy. I use them to elevate a plant, candle, sculpture, photograph, or lamp, or to fill out a bookcase. I am sure I didn't pay more than $1 for either one.


I am always on the lookout for glass hurricane chimneys at second-hand stores, especially in matched pairs like these. I added second-hand fake oranges and some silk freesia blooms to give them color. Together, the chimneys were about four dollars, a fraction of what they would be new.

 
I could show you the sticker that is still on the back of this original painting. It says $5.99, which is triple the amount you would pay for just the raw, unprimed, unstretched canvas. Including the frame, it measures about 25 x 30 inches. It wasn't dirty, incomplete, banged up, crooked or chipped. Do you see the point I'm trying to make here?

Let's talk lamps, one of my favorite second-hand finds. I paid less than $5 for the chrome lamp here. Even though stick lamps like this get a bad rap from some decorators, I find it versatile for home staging because it doesn't monopolize visual space. It came with the pristine white shade. Sometimes they come with lightbulbs, people! This lamp had no problems, and was ready to go into home staging service. Good second-hand stores routinely check electric appliances before they display them.

I hope these few examples of just some of my many thrift store finds encourage any reluctant second-hand buyers reading this post.

My eBook, DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and  For Top Dollar gives more advice on buying secondhand. Download the book now so you can start your smart staging today.

My Favorite Fake Plant for Home Staging? Cactus!

Thursday, April 21, 2011

There are two kinds of people in this world. There are those who adore artificial plants, and those who abhor them.   

Maybe there is a third group -- those of us who didn't sign on with either team, but certainly find plastic and silk plants useful for home staging, and at other times when we want to decorate with a bit of drama, but be sensible about it.
This cactus is "growing" in an abalone shell. Or is he?

A small grouping of succulent plants in natural stone or clay pots can create an outdoor focal point. These kinds of focal points are part of exterior staging. They actually make your home feel more friendly. And I'm guessing that's the first time cactus plants have been called friendly.


This perky guy is living in a hypertufa planter
I made to resemble stone (more trickery!).
 

But succulents, either real or faux, make excellent accent pieces indoors as well as outdoors. They are the ultimate houseplant, making minimal demands for attention. Some sun, a little water, and they are happy. And if you choose plastic cactus, well, all they ask for is to be dusted! 

You can buy a collection of succulents like
this one ready-made, pot and all.

I've found that although most of the really convincing silk plants like orchids, ferns, lilies, tulips, and peonies are pricey, you can easily get away with buying dollar store cactus and still pull it off in style. Perhaps it's the nature of these plants, their simple structure and smooth textures. 

To make them appear even more natural, put them in natural clay or stone containers. Stick their stems in floral foam or sand, and cover the surface with pebbles or river rocks. Or just let the sand be visible. Bingo! You're done.

The only real cactus represented here does,
I admit, have a luminosity the others don't.

Using pretend plants is one example of smart DIY home staging. Staging your home for the real estate market doesn't have to take big bucks. Most of what you have will serve you just fine, thank you. I can show you how to refresh and update. My eBook DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar concentrates on saving money and getting results. It's easily down-loadable now!  



Your Basic Goof-Proof Color Scheme: Black and White

Sunday, April 17, 2011
Want to make the task of choosing colors for home staging easy?

Just go with the ultimate color combination that's not technically about color at all -- black and white.

Don't be scared off by decorators telling you that white is sterile or black is depressing. Forget your old notions of black and white being the stuff of silent movies, funerals and institutional bedding.

When using this color combo to homestage, white is usually best used as the predominant color -- walls, appliances, bedding, window treatments --  and black is what adds the punch and contrast. 

The beauty of simplicity

White goes with everything. It's clean It's classic. The trick is to pick a white that works with the non-change-able fixtures of your home like that white refrigerator, the white carpeting, the white-painted trim, the white toilet. All these fixtures can be creamy white, or greyish white, or blueish white. Look for those undertones and bring home samples of white paint color chips to match what won't be removed when you sell. Once you make your decision to go with the correct white, you're on easy street.

Consider painting things like mismatched furniture, vases, and frames shiny black. Slipcover your sofa with white. You can add curtains in a black and white print. Buy new white towels and duvet cover. Put white shades on all your lamps. Now you're getting somewhere.

The formula is a starting point   

It's perfectly fine to add some color as long as black and white predominate. There are bound to be touches of wood, and greenery, and metals here and there. If you need photos to guide you on your way, here's encouragement.

The only color in this room is what the two floral arrangements add,
 and in the painting over the bed. Yet, the room is
interesting because of the details, textures and layers.
Design: John Meeks. Photo: Douglas Friedman:
 
Some rich green and deep blue accents give additional
personality to this living room. Black furniture and lampshades, a
 sisal rug bordered in black, and some black and 
white patterned pillows -- it all adds up to a winning formula.
Photo: Jessica Sample via Lonny and Looks Like White
Black and white photography contributes to the modern look
of this simple dining room. The walls are pale grey, almost white.
Greenery in the vase and a large wooden centerpiece
bring some warmth to the scene.
Photo: Fashion Square, Carolina Engman
This would be a simple look to imitate if you want to stage
a home office with limited furnishings. Don't assume everything
needs to match style-wise. The color scheme ties things together, and the 
plants fill space and add a fresh touch. Photo: decor8blog  
  
If you are staging an all-white kitchen, one novel place
to add a dash of black to the mix is with 
hardware and flooring, the way designers here did.
Photo: dustjacket-attic
I love this look. It would make a great entrance in a home
for sale! For more samples of buffalo check
decor, visit my Buffalo Checks Pinterest Board. 
Photo: Basilandtate 
When you go with black and white, walls don't have to be pure white.
Here, designer Gregga Jordan Smieszny gave the walls a
lustrous grey finish. I like the black wall sconces.
The two average-sized photographs take on added importance
when given wide frames and mats. Photo: Desire to Inspire.

No matter what the architectural style or age of your home for sale,
there's a black and white pattern that's a perfect fit -- polka dots, checkerboard,
houndstooth, buffalo plaids, zebra stripes, chevrons, key motifs,
pinstripes, diamonds, wide stripes, paisleys, toile -- all classics.
Read about mixing patterns here.
Photo: Marimekko.

Don't let the simple, versatile popularity of black and white pass you by. Instead, harness its appeal to help sell your home. I've written about pastel color schemes and blue and white color schemes. Take your pick, and get staging!

Get the look, get the book  

For more tips about color and style selection to make your home sell, download my staging eBook, DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar. It's loaded with helpful advice, easy-to-follow advice that lets you stage your home yourself to appeal to home buyers. 

14 Ways an Herb Garden Helps Sell a Home

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Often it's the details that charm a buyer into making an offer on a property.

But as a seller you can never be 100% sure exactly what feature will cast that magic spell.

That major selling point could be a dynamite kitchen, the perfect floor plan, or a large master bedroom that's like a private retreat.

But those are not details. They're expensive! This blog focuses on the smaller, more practical additions or changes that you can use to increase the perceived value of your home.

An herb garden is one of those things. Even if you know zip about gardening, you can add an herb bed to your yard in an afternoon that makes your property look special. And when you are selling your home, you need all the specialness you can get!

All the winning ways

What's the big deal about herb plants, you ask? Here is a list of 14 ways even a small herb garden increases the value of almost any home. Yes, even a tenth-floor condo with a compact balcony for an outdoor space!

People like neatness. Herbs tend to have a tidy look about them. Most don't grow real fast, so they stay tidy. That's a plus for curb appeal if your herbs are at the front of your house.

People value antiquity. A traditionally-styled herb bed, even a new one, makes a garden or yard look more established. Herbs have an air of permanence and maturity about them. If your house is fairly new, herbs add some character and age.

Larger herb plants will cost more than young ones,
but you can fill spaces with rocks, paths, mulch, and annuals
if you are starting your herb bed from scratch. 

Save yourself money. One herb plant can stand alone as a specimen in a small garden and still look interesting. You don't need a row, a bed, or a drift of the same kind of plant, which is not the case with most perennials and annuals. Many herbs look great in pots, which means you can move your garden with you when your house sells. If you have an existing shrub border or flower bed that needs some extra plants, consider choosing herbs for those plants. Bingo! You've got yourself an herb bed.

An herb bed can be tucked away in a corner of the backyard,
or out front of a house.  Either way, it's sure to impress buyers. 

Delights the senses. Almost all herbs are fragrant. Many have blossoms. All have interesting textures and colors. It sounds like good staging or valuable artwork! Awakening the senses is one way to win the hearts of buyers. You can make fragrant and colorful herbs part of your sales team.

Encourages lingering. A well-designed, interesting herb garden encourages lingering. The longer house hunters spend at your property, the greater the chances of them appreciating and buying it. Even a simple herb garden makes your landscaping unique, something that buyers will remember after a day of touring other homes.

When your herb bed lives in attractive containers, it's part of your effective homestaging. And you can take the plants with you when you move. Photo: helpapp.co

You look smart. Usually, an herb bed has a formal structure, like a square, four squares, or a circle with quadrants, so it's easy to plant something that looks like you know what you are doing. Buyers prefer to do business with people they admire.

Emphasizes the outdoors. A fixed, structural focal point like a sculpture, birdbath, trellis, or large planter box in an herb bed helps anchor your landscape. These outdoor focal points remind buyers that there's more than a house for sale: "Hey, there's property, too!" And, of course, these garden ornaments don't have to convey with your home's purchase.

It's stylish. Even if you are selling a tiny cottage or a narrow urban townhouse, a grouping of colorful potted herbs on the outside steps or a window box of herbs under a sunny window adds a certain something, a je ne sais quoi. (I had to look up the spelling.)


The good looks last and last. Many attractive herbs are not only perennial but stay healthy and good-looking all year long. Rosemary, bay laurel and artemesia stay perky through the winter unless you live north of Philadelphia or in the mountains. Depending on your location, parsley, chives, thyme, oregano, and others could be green year-round.

Adds a new perspective. Your garden can create a sitting room of sorts. The backyard herb bed, even a tiny one, with a bench or some chairs, suggests a destination for prospective home buyers on their tour, a place to sit. It suggests to them how they might entertain out of doors, and gives them a new vantage point to quietly observe the house and its surroundings.

Herbs give people ingredients to garnish and season foods. This is wooly thyme.
Like other culinary herbs, can behave like a groundcover. 

Herbs mingle. When there are bare spots in a landscape, herb plants can be counted on to combine well. They will carpet a sparse rose bed, add another layer to a row of foundation shrubs, act as placeholders for tulips and other spring-flowering bulbs, or fill the gaps between stepping stones. Chances are your landscape will look better with some herbs in the mix.

Calendula flowers like this are
colorful and easy to grow. 
Temp those buyers. Homebuyers who are gardeners or serious cooks will be attracted to the idea of an already established herb garden. For those house hunters who aren't into yard work, an herb bed doesn't look like a maintenance nightmare because the usual herb garden is orderly and mulched.

DIY-friendly. No matter what kind of soil you have, or how much gardening experience you have, an herb garden looks fine and will prosper in a raised bed that you can construct yourself, and fill with the kind of well-draining soil that herbs thrive in.

Designs are versatile. No matter what style your home is, from humble country cottage to McMansion, there's an herb garden style that's just right.

Learn more about selling your home in my homestaging eBooks. Let me show you how to sell your home faster and for more money!

Top Photo: Gardenista



How to Arrange Furniture Around a Fireplace

Monday, April 11, 2011
If you have a fireplace to stage, the good news is there's no right or wrong way to feature it as long as you feature it.

Don't hide it behind a mountain of books, a cluster of kids toys, a jumble of media boxes and cables, or heaven forbid, a big ole piece of furniture.

Here are some pointers to guide you.

Anchor it

Make the fireplace the focal point of any staged room. People love fireplaces and they are a natural, architectural focal point. In a very large or multi-purpose room, a fireplace might be the secondary focal point, allowing house hunters the pleasure of discovering a bonus.

Add weight

Start by placing the largest piece of furniture in such a way that it emphasizes the fireplace, either visible immediately when someone enters the room, directly facing the fireplace, or even perpendicular to one end of the fireplace.

Experiment

Every room and every fireplace is unique. Fooling around with different pieces of furniture and different arrangements is a technique for finding the perfect grouping that even the experts use. Get your sliders out.

Refresh it

When it's spring and summer, it's time to exchange the logs and fireplace tools for a seasonal touch -- flowers, a plant, or a painting that says "fresh."

Break the rules

If the fireplace is in the dining room or bedroom, there may not be room for the usual chairs flanking or facing the fireplace. In that case, stage the mantel to be the star of the room.

Be creative 

A corner fireplace can be tricky to stage. Keep the furniture pieces small to solve any traffic flow problem.  Limit the number of pieces at the fireplace to avoid a lopsided look to the room.

Stage the mantel

The mantel is usually the icing on the cake. Choose accessories that emphasize the special features of your home -- contemporary prints if your home is newish or recently remodeled, charming antiques if your home is a cozy cottage, beachy items in you live near the coast, or period art work if your home is historic.
Chairs facing a fireplace emphasize it as a selling feature. Abbot Construction photo.


Don't be afraid to limit seating to one chair beside or even 
facing the fireplace. Keep it from looking lonely with a side table,
 bookcase or lamp. Photo: Mantels Direct.


Furniture arrangement around a fireplace doesn't have to be complicated.
A simple arrangement that lets the fireplace speak for itself
is sometimes the best approach. Wettlings Architects photo.

A corner fireplace, whether it's part of an open floor plan
or in a Southwestern kiva style, is often best left to fend
for itself rather than block a traffic pattern by adding furniture.

For more tips on furniture arranging and all aspects of effective home staging, consult my eBooks, check out my Pinterest boards

Top Photo: Benjamin Dhong.

A Checklist for Maintenance Problems

Thursday, April 07, 2011
"Barbara made me add my photo."
Laurie, the crafty woman at Handy Man, Crafty Woman is our guest today. (Applause!) On her creative, fun blog she writes about her adventures as she and her handy hubby Rob (and their son Handy Boy) renovate, repair, and redecorate their New England home.  

They fully renovated their first home, built in the 1830s. Then they moved and did it all over again in their second home, built in the 1850's. They are now working on improving their current home, built in 1994.

Laurie and Rob like to go antique shopping, and collect vintage Fiesta Ware. They blog about the recipes they like, decorating discoveries they make, organizing problems they solve, renovating projects they finish, the tools they use, the crafts Laurie manages to find time for, and everything in between. 

Their method is for Laurie to pick out the paint colors, and then tell Rob what to do. Rob does the painting, and all the heavy lifting.    

I am so happy that she is here to give you her advice on home maintenance issues.

Home Staging: Don't Forget the Maintenance!

When you put your home on the market, there are so many things on the to-do list. You know that you must clean thoroughly, and remove excess furniture and clutter. However, you also need to pay attention to maintenance issues.

Your house may pass the "white glove" test, but if you leave any maintenance projects unfinished, potential buyers may think "No way!" in their minds.

Here are some areas you should examine before putting your home on the market:

The yard. The lawn needs to be mowed regularly. Trim bushes, rake leaves, and tidy up the flower beds. Potential buyers will often drive by your home in order to see what the neighborhood looks like. Give them a great first impression.

The entry door. The yard may look good, but the entry door is also very important. Is the paint on your door cracked and peeling? Is the door dirty? Give it a new coat of paint, or a good cleaning.

Interior doors. Do the doors inside your home close? Doors to kitchen cabinets, bedrooms, bathrooms and closets should close properly. Sliding doors should open smoothly. If you have a nice deck, you want the buyers to go outside and have a look.

Outdoor features. If you do have a deck or a pool, be sure that they are clean and maintained. These can be good selling features, and you want them to look their best.

Faucets. In addition to cleaning, fix the sinks and shower faucets so they don't drip.

Tiles. Do you have tiles in your home? Are they in good condition? If you aren't handy enough to chip out broken tiles and replace them yourself, you should hire a handy man to help with this. Broken tiles look shabby.

Lights. This may sound obvious, but do all of your lights work? Home buyers (and real estate agents) will often turn on lights in your home, so they can really see each room. Make sure that any burnt out light bulbs are replaced, and that all light fixtures are in working order.

Unfinished projects. You know what I'm talking about: The trim that is not complete; the new cabinet knobs that haven't been installed, etc. Go around your home and make a list of unfinished projects. Now is the time to finish them!

You can clean and declutter your home when you put it on the market, but don't ignore these basic maintenance issues. Home buyers look at broken and shabby items, and may wonder what else you have been ignoring. Take care of these issues, and let potential buyers imagine themselves moving right into your home.

Insider Tips: Notes From a Blue Collar Gal

Monday, April 04, 2011


Every homeowner bumps into situations when DIY is a DDI -- a "don't do it."

I'm talking about the times when you just have to hire the Big Guys, the ones with all the latest tools, the manly truck, and sometimes the proper local or state certification. They are the ones who have been doing it --  wiring, plumbing, roofing, landscaping -- for years.

This post is for those times. I am going to tell you how to deal with these people. I know because I am one of these people. I am a house painter.

I might wear pink overalls, but I'm a blue-collar worker. House painters rank pretty darn low on the status scale of trade people in the construction field. I'm not going to quote Rodney Dangerfield here, but you know what I'm talking about.

I like to think that I always give every client the best service I can.

But if I am honest, I'll admit that the people who have treated me well when I worked for them, even though I am "just the painter," are the people I was happy to go that extra mile for.

While I can't endorse befriending every member of every crew doing work around your home, it helps to remember that a little kindness goes a long way.

Here are my tips to having a productive, satisfying relationship for both you and any helpers you hire.

Learn  names

If they will be in your home for more than a few days, get names and introduce yourself. First names are usually sufficient unless you are building an ongoing relationship or need to know the name that goes on the check.

I remember one woman who hired Mr. Lucky and me to paint her home -- and then her son's home, her church's office, her next home, and her rental property (love that!). Whenever someone came to her home while we were there, she actually introduced us, using both first AND last names. She flattered us by showing us respect, simply by using our names.

Lesson: It's the little things that create a bond between people.

Make them feel welcome

Say hello to acknowledge their arrival and let them know you are home. In the South where I am, the custom is to always engage in a little small talk in all business situations. To not banter a bit is considered rude.

Some people give in-house workers the message that they are not trusted. Don't do this. If you have questions about the honesty or ethics of people in your house, you have hired the wrong people. I am not suggesting that you leave prescriptions, money, and jewelry about when having your bathroom re-tiled by a couple of men you never met before.

Be smart, but don't demonstrate paranoia and distrust.

How do you find trustworthy and capable tradespeople? Ask your Realtor for the names of good people. Or ask other tradespeople. For instance, a carpet cleaning service man will probably know who lays good carpet, and a painter will know a good carpenter.

You can also ask fussy friends and neighbors for the names of people they have been pleased with.

We have painted for people who do not leave the room where we are working. They may be lonely, or they may be distrustful. 

If you have hired tradespeople, greet them, and then remove yourself. Not only is it a distraction to have to carry on a conversation, but workers may feel you are trying to learn how they do what they do, so that next time you can DIY and save the money. It makes you look like you wish you didn't have to hire them.

Show appreciation

In one small house where we were painting, the homeowners were home all day. Each day when their daughter returned from school, they baked cookies. Of course, the scent of chocolate chips, sugar, and butter filled the place.

Did they ever offer us one? They did not. Did we feel appreciated? We did not. Did we adjust our schedule so we could do more painting for them when they called us again? No. We're not mean, but when push comes to shove, people go where they are appreciated.

Lesson: The Golden Rule is still good business.
Cheese, crackers, grapes, jellybeans!

The woman who paid us with gift-wrapped cash in a thank you card last week (photo above) also set out a snack and coffee buffet just for Mr. Lucky and me that was so unusual in its graciousness, I had to take this photo. While this example is definitely over the top, the message was clear: "We appreciate you."

You absolutely don't have to go to this extreme, but...just saying...

Donuts are always a big hit with workers. A dozen donuts buys you a whole lot of feel-good. 

And some contractors will give you a discount if you pay them in cash. You can ask what their preference is.

Make them comfortable

I don't know if you have ever been in a stranger's home for the whole day. It can be a delicate situation. 

Workers aren't guests, but they aren't robots either. They will appreciate it, for example, if you tell them when they start a job, where the bathroom is, where they can get water, and what door you want them to use for coming and going. In some states the law requires you to provide an outside portajohn when the number of persons on site reaches a certain number.

Are conditions comfortable for working? 

Tradespeople are used to working around debris and dust, and in extreme heat and cold. But you can still be the hero by providing an environment that is uncluttered and at a sensible temperature as much as is practical. Let them have what they need in order to do their job well.

At the same time, if the person you are hiring will be coming back on a regular basis, a housekeeper or a lawn maintenance person for example, you need to establish businesslike protocol at the beginning of the relationship. If you are too casual about the work that needs to be done, you may find your cleaning person or pool cleaning serviceman expects to have coffee and half an hour of conversation before beginning work.

Lesson: Be friendly but don't be friends. 

Praise their work. 

Even if you are not totally happy with the job being done, find something you like. If you have complaints, let them know that, too. And don't wait until the job is done to express discontent.

If you are considering a number of options at the start of your project, ask for their opinions. Experts and professionals usually like to hear the question, "What would you do?" because it signifies that you value their experience. You can still do it your way, or decide on an approach better than either you or the professional hadn't thought of previously.

Clients often ask me to help them make decisions about color or finishes. Some ask about painting-related problems, like removing mildew from a roof (trim the tree branches back to let light in, and sprinkle the roof with laundry powder). Asking for opinions is one way to acknowledge expertise.


Next time you need to hang up your DIY tool belt, and bring in a contract worker, whether it's an air conditioning repairman, an electrician, a floor re-finisher, or some other hard-working soul, follow my advice, and I think you will see better communication and better workmanship.

Maybe even a better price.

Get the look, get the book 

I offer many more tips to make selling your home a positive experience. My eBook, DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar, will provide answers, inspiration, buying guides, and how-tos for everything from arranging furniture to curb appeal and everything in between. It's quick and easy to download. Why wait? I can start today to help you stage to sell.


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