Household Staff Search and Placement for Private Homes
Household staff placement means finding and introducing candidates for roles in a private home: housekeepers, house managers, nannies, butlers, private chefs and drivers. A search starts with a written brief of the role, then candidates are introduced, interviewed and agreed on. In this model the family, not the placer, decides who joins the household.
Describe the job and add your city. Free to request, no obligation.
Hiring for a home is different from hiring for an office. The person will see private spaces and routines, so references, discretion and fit with the household count for more than a polished resume. Taking time over the brief and the interview usually saves months of turnover.
Placement can be direct, where the staff member is employed by the family, or through an arrangement where an agency stays the employer. Which one applies changes who pays wages, who handles taxes and who finds cover when someone is away.
What the work includes
- A written role brief covering duties, hours, pay range and household style
- A search for candidates matched to the brief
- Introductions and interview arrangements
- Reference checks as agreed in the terms
- Help drafting the employment terms and a trial period
- Guidance on payroll, taxes and employer obligations in your location
- A follow-up check after the start date
- A plan for what happens if the placement does not work out
When a staff search is worth the effort
Your last hire left within months and you want a better fit
The role is unusual, such as a house manager, butler or chef
You do not have the time to screen and interview candidates
The household has strict privacy needs and cannot post publicly
You are opening a second home and need local staff
Several roles need filling at once and must work as a team
How the work goes, step by step
Send the brief
Describe the role, the home, the hours and what you want, including any must-haves such as languages.
Clarify in writing
A local specialist writes back with questions on duties, pay range and household style.
Candidates proposed
You receive profiles and interview the ones that suit, then meet your preferred candidates.
Terms and trial
Employment terms, start date and a trial period are agreed in writing.
Check-in
After the start, the arrangement is reviewed and adjusted if needed.
What changes the price
- Seniority and rarity of the role
- A house manager or private chef is harder to find than a part-time cleaner, and searches cost more.
- Placement structure
- A fee based on first-year pay differs from an hourly arrangement where the agency employs the person.
- Live-in or live-out
- A live-in role narrows the pool of candidates and adds terms to negotiate.
- Location
- Searches in large cities or resort towns face more competition for experienced staff.
- Urgency
- A rushed search leaves less time for references and interviews.
What a good quote spells out
- How the fee is structured, in writing, including when it is due
- What reference and background checks are done, and by whom
- What happens if the placement ends early
- Whether the staff member is employed by you or by the agency
- How candidate information is kept private
Staff Placement Services: questions people ask
What does a household staffing agency charge?
Practice varies. Some charge a percentage of first-year pay, some a flat fee and some run hourly arrangements where they remain the employer. Ask for the fee structure in writing before you agree to a search.
How long does it take to place household staff?
It depends on the role and the market. A common housekeeper role can fill faster than a specialised position like a house manager or chef. Ask for realistic timing for your search.
Can the family interview the candidates directly?
Yes. You meet and approve anyone proposed for your household before they start, and you can ask for more options if none fit.
Which roles can be placed?
Common requests include housekeepers, house managers, nannies, butlers and private chefs. Describe the role in the form, even if it is something unusual.
Other Keenstead services
Considering Dedicated Household Help? Start With a Private Consultation.
Tell us about the residence and what you need. We review every request, and a specialist who serves your area follows up in writing to arrange a private consultation and a free quote.
Request a free quote →