Private Housekeeper for Your Home, Full-Time or Part-Time
A private housekeeper is one person employed for one household, working set days and hours on the same rooms, linens, laundry and routines week after week. Full-time usually means a regular working week at the residence. Part-time can be anything from two mornings to four days, depending on what the home needs.
Describe the job and add your city. Free to request, no obligation.
The difference from a cleaning company is continuity. The housekeeper learns how you fold towels, which surfaces need a soft cloth, where the silver lives and when the household is away. That knowledge is the reason many owners prefer one dedicated person over a rotating crew, especially in larger homes with fine finishes.
Because the housekeeper works in your home daily, the arrangement is closer to employment than to a service booking. Hours, duties, pay, time off, backup cover and what happens if either side wants to end the arrangement should all be written down before the first day.
What the work includes
- Daily or weekly cleaning of living areas, bedrooms, bathrooms and the kitchen
- Laundry, ironing, linens and bed-making to the household's standard
- Wardrobe care: sorting, steaming, folding and seasonal rotation
- Care of delicate surfaces such as stone, antiques, silver and artwork, as briefed
- Light kitchen upkeep and restocking of household supplies
- Preparing the house for guests, family arrivals and events
- Receiving deliveries and trades, and reporting repairs needed
- Following a written household brief that records routines and preferences
When a dedicated housekeeper makes more sense than a crew
The home is large enough that a visiting crew cannot finish in one session
You find yourself re-explaining the same preferences every visit
Laundry, wardrobe and linens need daily attention, not weekly
Special surfaces and items have been damaged or mishandled before
The household hosts often or has people staying for long periods
You want one trusted person in the house while you are away
How the work goes, step by step
Describe the home and the role
Send the size of the residence, how many people live there, the days and hours you want and what you want handled.
Written household brief
Rooms, routines, linens, wardrobe, special items and house rules are put in writing so expectations are clear.
Candidates proposed
A local specialist writes back with options, and you meet and approve anyone before they start.
Terms agreed in writing
Hours, pay, time off, cover for absences and the end of the arrangement are set out before the first day.
Trial period and review
The first weeks are used to adjust the brief, then reviewed together.
What changes the price
- Hours per week
- Cost scales with the schedule. A few mornings a week costs far less than a full working week, plus time off and cover.
- Size and complexity of the residence
- More rooms, more floors and more fine finishes call for more experienced staff, which raises pay.
- Range of duties
- Adding laundry, ironing, wardrobe care, cooking help or guest preparation increases the role.
- Local labour market
- Pay for private household staff is higher in high-cost cities and resort areas than in smaller markets.
- Employer costs
- Payroll taxes, paid leave and any benefits come on top of the base wage when you employ someone directly.
- Language and references
- A housekeeper who works in two languages or has a long record in comparable homes is paid more.
What a good quote spells out
- Days, hours and duties written out, not just a job title
- Who employs the housekeeper, and who handles pay, taxes and leave
- How absences, holidays and sick days are covered
- How special items such as art, silver and delicate fabrics are to be handled
- How the arrangement can be reviewed or ended, and with what notice
Dedicated Housekeeper: questions people ask
Is a part-time private housekeeper enough for a large home?
Sometimes. A few days a week can cover a large home if the household is small and travels often. A household that entertains or has children at home may need full-time help. Describe your routine and the options will be laid out in writing.
What is the difference between a private housekeeper and a house cleaner?
A house cleaner usually comes for a set visit and works to a list. A private housekeeper is part of the household's routine, handling laundry, wardrobe, linens and day-to-day upkeep as well as cleaning.
Does the household employ the housekeeper directly?
That depends on the arrangement. In some setups you are the employer, and in others an agency or household office is. Ask who handles payroll, taxes and insurance before you agree to anything.
Can a confidentiality agreement be part of the arrangement?
Yes. If you want one, it can be included in the terms agreed in writing before the housekeeper starts.
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 →