Thinking about getting your home staging certification but unsure what the cost looks like? You’re not alone. One of the most common questions we get at the Home Staging Institute is about pricing. And it makes sense – whether you’re just dipping your toes into the industry or ready to launch your own business, knowing what kind of financial investment you’re in for is a crucial part of your decision.
The good news is that getting certified doesn’t have to cost thousands, and the value you receive varies wildly depending on where you choose to learn. This article compares the most well-known online certification options and breaks down exactly what you can expect to pay (and what you’re really getting in return).
But let’s get straight to the point: What does home staging certification cost?
The simple (but unhelpful) answer is, that it depends on where you go. To save you time, we browsed dozens of websites to find out exactly what home staging certification will set you back.
Note that we have included online-only courses in this article because we feel they offer the best value.
Home Staging Certification Costs Compared
We’ve reviewed a few of the most talked-about home staging certification providers, compared their pricing, structure, and long-term value, and pulled together the results in one tidy list for you. Some of these programs are sleek and modern, others feel like they haven’t been updated since 200 – and that shows.
But whether you’re hunting for the most affordable certification or the course with the deepest curriculum, this breakdown will help you make a clear, confident decision.
1. Home Staging Institute (Most popular course is $247)
We’ve been in the home staging game since 2007, and have amended our prices over time to provide the best bang for the buck we can. We offer three courses, and all of these will earn you a home staging certification. These courses are:
Professional Course: This is our most popular course and costs $247 (or three monthly payments of $86)
Advanced Course: People who want an extra edge upgrade to the Advanced Course, which costs $498 (or six monthly payments of $83)
Realtor Home Staging Course: This course is designed specifically for realtors who want to offer home staging as an extra service. It costs $197.
If you’re curious about what’s included in the Home Staging Institute’s Professional Course, you can explore the full curriculum on our website.
We also offer free downloadable resource packs so you can get a sneak peek at the quality and depth of our materials before making a decision. These free downloads include checklists, proposal templates, and pricing guides – tools you’ll actually use on the job.
2. StagingStudio ($1249)
A home staging certification from the Staging Studio costs $1,249, and you can choose to pay in 5 monthly payments of $259. Their website boasts that “You can become a certified home stager in just 15 hours,” which is super quick for a $1,249 course.
There are also a couple of other courses at StagingStudio, which are:
- Master Color Consultant – $729
- Short-Term Rental Stylist – $449
3. CHSSP Home Staging Certification (£550 / $750)
The CHSSP Certified Home Staging and Styling Professional Course costs £550, which is a little over $750 United States dollars at the time of writing. You can also choose to pay in four interest-free payments.
While researching the CHSSP Certified Home Staging and Styling Professional Course, we noticed the website felt a bit dated in both design and usability. While that doesn’t necessarily reflect the quality of the course content itself, it may be a signal that the platform hasn’t kept pace with modern e-learning trends.
In our experience, staging courses that invest in a user-friendly, up-to-date learning environment tend to deliver more polished materials and a better overall student experience.
4. CSP International Staging Business Training Academy ($2,299)
CSP International courses feature Live (not pre-recorded) training, which may or may not be your cup of tea. Most other courses are self-paced in your own time and work around your schedule.
5. Home Staging Resource ($999)
HomeStagingResource.com staging certification costs $999, and there are a few payment plans available. They also encourage you to renew your ‘HSR Membership’ with them for an annual fee of $350, which includes website hosting and ongoing access to training. It also includes a listing in its member directory.
Why Long-Term Access and Ongoing Support Matter More Than Price
It’s important to note that while price matters, what really sets courses apart is the long-term value. At the Home Staging Institute, students tell us they continue to log in and reference course materials even years after certification. That’s because we give lifetime access – no recurring fees, no pressure to renew.
We also provide unlimited email support, which many other providers only offer for a limited time. This matters more than you might expect. When you’re knee-deep in your third client consult and need help quoting a staging job or wording a tricky clause in your contract, being able to email your course instructor and get advice within 24 hours is priceless.
What also sets Home Staging Institute apart is our focus on practical application. We know from feedback that students appreciate the built-in exercises that walk them through setting up their first staging quote, mock consultations, and drafting their service agreements. These aren’t just theory – they’re plug-and-play templates you can start using immediately.
As one recent student put it, “I chose the Home Staging Institute because it wasn’t just a course – it felt like I was joining a community. I emailed about pricing my first vacant job and got a helpful, kind reply the next day. That gave me the confidence to take it on.”
We also constantly update our resources, pricing calculators, and supplier directories based on student feedback and industry trends. So, while other courses might feel static or outdated, ours evolves with you.
If you value mentorship, practical tools, and a go-at-your-own-pace structure, you’ll likely find that the best value for your home staging certification dollar is right here at the Home Staging Institute.
In Summary, What Does Home Staging Certification Cost?
Home staging certification costs anywhere from $247 with the Home Staging Institute Professional Course, through to $2,299 with the CSP International Staging Business Training Academy.
If you are not in the United States, use a currency converter to see what the home staging certification costs in your local currency.
We only looked at online courses since local home staging certification courses are tough to find and of questionable quality. It was also tough to find online home staging certification courses that I was happy to list here. Many are out of date and feature credentials from 2008. If you want to read more on this topic, we have another article worth reading titled How to Choose the Best Home Staging Certification Course.
