Are you interested in becoming a professional home stager? If so, you’re likely wondering how to choose the right school for your needs. After all, there are many different schools out there, and it can be difficult to determine which one is right for you.
In this article, we will discuss how to choose a home staging school in 5 easy steps!
Destined to be a home stager? Then check out our Ultimate Guide on Becoming a Homer Stager – even if you have no experience!
Choosing a Home Staging School: Online or In-Person?
The first step in choosing a home staging school is to determine whether you want to attend an online or in-person program. There are pros and cons to both options, so it’s important to consider what will work best for you.
In-Person Schooling
If you choose an in-person program, you’ll have the chance to build relationships with your instructors and classmates. This can be beneficial if you want to network and build a professional support system.
However, in-person programs can be more expensive and may require you to travel. Furthermore, the class schedule will be determined by the school. As such, you’ll be expected to attend, regardless of your personal availability.
What does this mean if you have a full-time job or a busy parent? Well, this could make in-person schooling difficult at times.
Online Schooling
Online programs offer the convenience of being able to attend class from anywhere in the world. They are often more affordable than in-person programs. Plus, they provide greater flexibility when it comes to scheduling. This can be a great option if you have a full-time job or other commitments that make attending a traditional school difficult.
That said, one downside of online programs is that you won’t have the opportunity to interact with instructors and classmates in person. If you’re the type of person who learns best through face-to-face interactions, an online program might not be the best fit for you.
But if you want to save money and enjoy the idea of learning on your own terms, an online home staging school will be the best way to go!
For the purposes of this article, let’s assume that you’d like to enroll in an online home staging course…
How To Find a Home Staging School in 5 Simple Steps
Okay, now that you’ve decided to enroll in an online home staging course, it’s time to start looking for the right school! Here are 5 easy steps to help you find the best online home staging school for your needs:
Step 1: Determine Your Goals
The first step is to determine your goals. For example, why do you want to become a professional home stager? What are your long-term career aspirations?
Once you have a clear idea of your goals, you’ll be able to narrow down your search and find a school that’s the best fit for you!
Step 2: Consider Your Budget
The next step is to consider your budget. How much can you afford to spend on a home staging course? Keep in mind that the cost of tuition will vary depending on the school and the length of the program.
Some schools also offer payment plans. So, be sure to ask about this when you’re considering your options!
Fun Fact: QC Design School offers low monthly payment plans on ALL of course self-paced, online courses! Check out the full list of QC programs (and their tuitions) here!
Step 3: Make a List of Potential Schools
Now that you know your goals, it’s time to start making a list of potential schools. There are many different online home staging programs out there. Thus, you’ll want to take your time and research each one carefully.
Some things you’ll want to look for include:
- Accreditation: Make sure the school is accredited by a reputable organization. This will ensure that you’re receiving high-quality education.
- Course offerings: What does the home staging course curriculum offer? Does it align with your career goals?
- Tuition: How much does the program cost? Are there any discounts or payment plans available?
We’ll delve deeper into must-have criteria for online home staging schools shortly!
Step 4: Read Reviews
Once you’ve compiled a list of potential schools, it’s time to start reading reviews! There are many different websites where you can find reviews of online courses and programs.
Some things you’ll want to look for in the reviews include:
- Overall satisfaction rating
- Ease of use
- Course quality
- Customer service
Check out QC Design School’s reviews on Facebook to see what students and grads have been saying about us!
Step 5: Ask Questions
The final step is to ask questions! Once you’ve found a few schools that meet your criteria, reach out and ask them any questions you may have.
Some things you might want to ask include:
- Is their school accredited – and if so, how?
- How long does their home staging program take to complete?
- Is their learning environment self-paced, or does it follow a regimented schedule?
- Will you receive any sort of certification upon graduating?
- How much does the course cost – and do they offer any sort of payment plan?
- What type of support do students receive?
- Do they have a thorough course curriculum that you can review prior to enrolling?
Asking questions will help you narrow down your options and find the best online home staging school for your needs!
Did you know that QC Design School’s awesome Support Staff are available 7 days a week by phone, email, and live chat? Here’s their contact info in case you want to get in touch!
Choosing a Home Staging School: Must-Have Criteria – and Red Flags To Avoid
Now that we’ve gone over how to choose a home staging school, let’s talk about some must-have criteria – and red flags to avoid!
When you’re looking for an online home staging school, here are some things to keep in mind:
Proper Accreditation
The school should be properly accredited, such as through the Better Business Bureau. This is non-negotiable! When a learning institution is accredited, it means that it has met certain standards and quality requirements. As a result, you can trust that the education you’ll receive will be of high quality.
Course Offerings
Does the course curriculum align with your goals? Are there any areas that you’re particularly interested in? Make sure the school offers courses that meet your needs.
Furthermore, especially when taking an online course of any kind, make sure you’ll also be given hands-on learning. After all, while textbook learning is also essential, it won’t be enough to prepare you for the real world. In order to start your career as a home stager as confidently as possible, your course should provide you with opportunities for practical, hands-on experience, too.
QC Design School’s online Home Staging Course provides a healthy balance of textbook AND hands-on learning! View our full course curriculum here!
Tuition and Payment Options
How much does the program cost? Are there any discounts or payment plans available? You’ll want to make sure you can afford the program before enrolling – and that you’ll be getting your money’s worth!
A Legitimate Website
When you’re looking for an online home staging school, one of the first places you’ll probably look is the internet. As a result, it’s important to make sure that the school’s website is legitimate! A few things to look for include:
- A physical address
- An email address
- A phone number
- Professional-looking photos
- A clear and concise course curriculum
- Tuition rates and payment options
- Student and grad reviews and/or spotlights
- Links to social media channels
It’s also important to make sure that the website is updated regularly. If it looks like it hasn’t been touched in years, that’s a red flag! For a prime example of the kind of website you should be looking for, check out QC Design School’s!
Social Media Presence
In addition to having a legitimate website, the school should also have an active presence on social media. This is a great way to get an inside look at the school, get a feel for their culture, and see what kind of community they have.
A few things to look for include:
- Regular posts
- Original content
- Interaction with followers
- A good mix of content (photos, videos, articles, etc.)
- Content that showcases students and alumni
- A positive overall tone
Customer Support
Does the school have a dedicated customer support team? Do they offer 24/7 support? Are they actually reachable?
You’ll want to make sure you can get help when you need it!
Red Flags To Avoid
Now that we’ve gone over some must-have criteria, let’s also talk about some red flags to avoid:
Upfront Payment
Be wary of any school that asks for payment upfront – before you’ve had a chance to try the program. While it’s totally fine if a school offers an option of paying your full tuition at the time of enrollment, that’s all it should be: an option.
Furthermore, if a school demands full payment upfront and doesn’t have any sort of money-back guarantee or trial period, that’s especially worrisome!
Lack of Transparency
The school should be transparent about their accreditation, course offerings, tuition, and so forth. If they’re not, that’s a major red flag!
A Majority of Poor Reviews
Every school will have its share of both positive and negative reviews. That’s just the way it is! However, if there are more negative than positive reviews, that’s definitely something to take into consideration.
So, take the time to read as many reviews of the school as you can find. This way, you’ll be able to make an informed decision about whether the institution is worth your time and money – or whether they’re not.
Nothing Upon Graduation
When you graduate from an online home staging school, you should receive a certificate of completion or – better yet – a certification in the home staging field. Otherwise, you’ll have nothing to actually show for your dedication and hard work.
For instance, graduates of QC’s Home Staging Course get to walk away with an International Staging and Redesign Professional (ISRP) double certification + designation! This not only looks great on a resume… It’s sure to impress clients and employers alike!
Suspiciously Low Tuition Rates
Just because online schooling is cheaper than in-person schooling doesn’t mean your course should be dirt cheap. If the tuition rates seem too good to be true, they probably are. This is why it’s critical that you do your research and compare rates with other schools before enrolling in any program.
Keep in mind, you get what you pay for! So, if a school is charging next to nothing for their coursework, that’s definitely something to be concerned about.
You Have To Pay Extra For Your Certification
As we mentioned earlier, you should receive a certification upon completion of your home staging course. However, some schools will try to nickel and dime you by charging extra for this.
Needless to say, this is a major red flag! You should NEVER have to pay an addition fee for your certification. After all, you’ve earned it! Whatever you receive upon graduation should be included within the overall cost of the course.
Conclusion
To summarize, there are several things you should keep in mind when choosing an online home staging school. These include making sure the institution is accredited, that they offer a variety of courses, and that their customer support team is available 24/seven.
You’ll also want to avoid any school that asks for payment upfront or doesn’t have a money-back guarantee. Furthermore, be sure to read plenty of reviews before enrolling in any program.
By following these simple tips, you’re sure to find an online home staging school that’s right for you! So, what are you waiting for? Start your search today!
