Our Services
Private Household & Estate Staff
Housekeepers, house managers, domestic couples, estate managers, gardeners and grounds staff for private residences, country houses and multi-property portfolios.
Overview
Household and estate staff are the quiet architecture of a well run home. A housekeeper cares for the interior, its contents and its rhythms; a house manager oversees the household as a whole; an estate manager holds the wider picture of buildings, land, contractors, compliance and security.
We recruit for single London townhouses, country houses and family offices managing several properties, placing anyone from one housekeeper to a complete household and estate team. Every search begins with an unhurried conversation about how the property actually runs.
Roles We Recruit
- Housekeepers
- House managers
- Domestic couples
- Estate managers
- Head gardeners and garden staff
- Caretakers and maintenance staff
- Laundry and wardrobe professionals
Typical Responsibilities
- Detailed cleaning and care of interiors, antiques, art and delicate surfaces
- Laundry, hand washing, ironing and wardrobe management
- Table setting, service and preparation for guests and entertaining
- Stock control, provisioning and household purchasing
- Day to day management of buildings, grounds, vehicles and machinery
- Planning and supervising maintenance, restoration and capital projects
- Appointing and overseeing contractors, budgets and household accounts
- Staff rotas, recruitment support, service standards and household manuals
- Seasonal planting, garden programmes and land management where relevant
Working Arrangements
Full-time household roles commonly run to around 45 to 55 hours across five days, with flexibility around entertaining and travel.
Estate roles are usually full-time and permanent, with seasonal variation and reasonable on-call availability.
Live-in positions with private accommodation, a cottage or a lodge are common, and live-out arrangements are equally usual close to towns and cities.
Part-time, daily, rota and temporary cover for holidays, renovations and seasonal peaks are all regularly arranged.
Salary Guidance
As indicative guidance, experienced housekeepers in the UK often sit between £35,000 and £55,000 gross per annum, house managers more usually between £55,000 and £90,000, and estate managers between £60,000 and £100,000, with senior portfolio roles above that. Head gardeners and caretakers typically range from £35,000 to £60,000, frequently with accommodation.
These figures are indicative guidance only. Salaries are agreed according to the specific role, setting and responsibilities, and may vary with:
- Location, both within the United Kingdom and internationally
- Length and depth of relevant experience
- Formal qualifications, training and languages
- The scope of responsibilities and any team management
- The size of the household, estate or organisation
- Live-in or live-out arrangements and the accommodation provided
- Travel requirements and time spent away from home
- Additional duties beyond the core remit
What to Expect
For clients
- A shortlist of a few genuinely suitable candidates rather than a long list
- Verified references, right to work checks and, where appropriate, background screening
- Guidance on realistic market rates, contracts, team structure and reporting lines
For candidates
- Households and estates that value discretion, consistency and a calm atmosphere
- Clear written terms covering hours, duties, accommodation and holiday
- Honest guidance on where your experience sits in the current market
Ideal Candidate
- Several years in private households, estates, luxury hospitality or facilities
- Fluency in fine laundry, fabric care and the treatment of delicate surfaces, or in buildings, budgets and contractors
- Absolute discretion and comfort with confidentiality agreements
- Quiet initiative, precision and an eye for the detail nobody mentions
Enquire about this role
Whether you are building a household team or seeking your next position, we would be glad to speak with you in confidence.