Why Should Employers Hire A Housekeeper?
Housekeepers, why are they needed? Large households, estates and properties require detailed cleaning and maintenance to maintain the home to ensure it runs smoothly.
To achieve this, they would require professional housekeepers and cleaning staff.
Depending on how large the property is, multiple housekeepers and other household staff can be required. Laundresses, house managers, chefs, houseman, butlers and domestic couples are amongst the few. These positions can have a cross over with a housekeeper role.
In a traditional sense, a housekeeper’s role is to ensure the household is cleaned to a high standard. However, the role has now evolved into encompassing a variety of responsibilities and skills. This includes assisting the family in the smooth running of their household.
Kensington Chelsea Staff International offers bespoke private household staff recruitment of housekeepers. We will find a compatible housekeeper match for your household, this will guarantee a long lasting relationship with trusted employees.
Households may also consider the employment of live in, live out or daily housekeepers. Your requirements may need combination roles for example nanny/housekeeper, housekeeper/cook, housekeeper/companion or even a houseman. It is worth understanding the duties and responsibilities of the types of housekeepers.
Types of Housekeepers
Combination Roles
Households may also consider the employment of live in, live out or daily housekeepers. Your requirements may need combination roles for example nanny/housekeeper, housekeeper/cook, housekeeper/companion or even a houseman. It is worth understanding the duties and responsibilities of the types of housekeepers.
Housekeepers aim to ensure smooth running of private households and private estates this includes laundry, general errands, and undertaking high standard cleaning.
Housekeeper Working Background
Experienced housekeepers can come from various working backgrounds. Hotels, private households/estates, chalets, yachts and general hospitality backgrounds are some examples. Working levels can range from entry to experienced. When starting a new role, all housekeepers will require guidance and time to understand the employer’s needs.
This can be provided through:
- Staff training of housekeepers (by butlers or head housekeepers)
- Verbal guidance and expectations (house managers or employer)
Housekeeper/Cook
A great asset to the household, a housekeeper/cook has the added responsibility of cooking meals for the family. This can range from:
- light preparation
- making smoothies/drinks
- cooking one meal
- multiple meals throughout the day.
This will be at the employer’s request, where expectations are discussed alongside diet restrictions and possible allergies.
Depending on the requirements, candidates can be more experienced cooks or those with a diploma in cooking.
Housekeeper/Nanny
This combination would include childcare duties as well as household maintenance and cleaning.
In addition to the property maintenance and cleaning, childcare duties may include:
- School run, morning and pickup
- Preparing meals
- General childcare
- Taking the children to afterschool clubs
- Scheduling appointments
- Assisting in homework
Housekeeper/Carer
This candidate will usually assist with any elderly relatives needing care or requiring companionship.
Housekeeper/carers can be live-in as well as live out and can either work full or part time. They would also be able to do the following:
- Cooking
- Restocking/shopping for households
- General errands
- Assisting with travel arrangements
- Packing and unpacking baggage
- Partake in hobbies and interests
Candidates are versatile, so a job description which touches on your detailed requirements, will find you the ideal candidate. Housekeeper/companion candidates can be qualified nurses or carers depending on your specification and needs. Our bespoke service of private household staffing will search for the right candidate for you.
Housekeeper Crossover In Other Household Staff
Head Housekeepers
A head housekeeper is ideally a candidate with a strong background of housekeeping. This can either be in private households or luxury hotels. Head Housekeepers have more responsibilities and increased salary.
Some of their responsibilities in a role would be:
- To supervise and manage the property
- Training other household staff
- Overseeing household budgets
- Restocking household items
- Creating schedules for house personnel
- Cleaning to an impeccable standard
- Preparing guest bedrooms and receiving guests
- Liaising with contractors and suppliers
- Dealing with the employer’s specifications and requests
Kensington Chelsea Staff International place and recruit palace/estate/property head housekeepers for seasonal, temporary or permanent contracts. Book a consultation with us today by calling our offices or sending an email to us on info@kensingtonchelseastaff.co.uk
Domestic Couples
A domestic couple can be two family members or two acquaintances that agree to work together on estate or property. They will provide household services and divide the household duties between themselves. Domestic couples are usually provided a residence on site or off site by the employer.
They can be experienced candidates in the following settings and combinations:
- Chalet management couples
- Estate management couples
- Laundress and Houseman couples
- Housekeeper and chauffeur/handyman couples
- cook/housekeeper and chauffeur/handyman couples
They have a variety of responsibilities which can include:
- Housekeeping
- Managing and maintenance of vehicles
- Cooking duties
- Chauffeur duties
- Swimming pool/tennis court maintenance
- Gardening duties
- Handyman duties/property maintenance
- Childcare duties
Domestic couples are versatile and flexible, with a wide range of skills. They will deliver premium service and endeavour to run your household as smooth as possible.
When consulting with our professional recruiters, we endeavour to understand your needs and find the right fit for you. We will formulate a bespoke job description and recruit on that basis.
Our private household staffing agency has a large database of candidates in all locations on an international level. This includes key destinations such as London, France, USA, Spain, Monaco, Germany, Switzerland, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Dubai. No matter your property’s location, we will find the domestic staff for you.
Laundress
In a luxury household, a laundress is a candidate with specialised housekeeper skills in clothing. They wash and press luxury garments, delicate fabrics and tailor-made pieces. The laundress has a background in professional and luxury laundrettes, 5 star hotels or in private households.
Duties include:
- Hand-washing delicate fabrics
- Pressing/steaming luxury dresses or suits
- Wardrobe management
- Hemming and stitching garments
- Wardrobe Organisation
- Knowledge on carefully removing stains
- Restocking items and taking inventory of laundry room
Laundresses are highly organised candidates with attention to detail. They work to guarantee their employers are dressed well and can organise your baggage for a trip.
Houseman/Housewoman
A houseman is a well-rounded, versatile and skilled housekeeper that is able to undertake a myriad of household tasks. They are the true jack of all trades!
Alongside internal cleaning and maintenance of the property/household, they will ensure external components are managed and maintained.
This can include:
- Tennis courts
- Swimming pools
- Vehicles in the garage
- Pet care
A houseman also provide an added security to your property, to ensure someone is always present, if need be.
In conclusion, the housekeeper role is flexible and can be combined. Domestic staff are essential in a large property, but finding the right fit can revolutionise the running of your home.
To find your ideal candidate or to find a housekeeper in London or internationally, visit our client form page.