Housekeeper
A good housekeeper provides the client with a wide variety of professional domestic services and takes on the responsibilities of cleaning, laundry, cooking and running errands. Each household is unique therefore the duties and responsibilities are discussed at interview stage, covering a broad range of duties from cooking to laundry, shopping to cleaning and beyond.
Private housekeeping jobs require a multi-skilled and highly proactive professional. They may be asked to act as Personal Assistant, Security, Cook or even Events Organiser. But generally, the role is as it sounds – to oversee, manage and be responsible for the upkeep of the household. A successful Private Housekeeper is a multi-faceted role, above all in a modern-day world where housekeeping services extend to so much more than light dusting and making beds.
General housekeeping duties are to ensure the smooth running of the household as well as cleanliness and maintenance of all residences. Whilst the duties of housekeeper in the modern age can extend to more than just cleaning, in households with a team of private staff, housekeepers are often responsible for all the staff based within the house itself.
General housekeeping duties may include but are not limited to:
- Cleaning – vacuuming, dusting, polishing etc.
- Cleaning silverware & brass
- Organising wardrobes & cupboards
- Laundry & ironing
- Grocery and household item shopping
- Cooking or preparing food
- Helping occasionally with childcare
- Meeting tradesmen and collecting deliveries
- Meticulous in all matters of keeping residence in pristine condition
- Ability to care for fine surfaces such as antiques, art, silver, etc.
- Willingness to work in ever changing environments inclusive of children and pets
Housekeeper can be employed in conjunction with other roles depending on the duties required. Other or extended titles are sometimes given in conjunction with acquired responsibilities:
- Live-In Housekeeper
- Live-Out Housekeeper
- Housekeeper Nanny
- Full-Time Housekeeper
- Part-Time Housekeeper
- Executive Housekeeper
- Housekeeper Cook
- Housekeeper / House Manager
- Chalet Housekeeper and Host
- Villa Housekeeper
- Seasonal Housekeeper
- Laundry and Ironing Housekeeper
- Bilingual Housekeeper
- Housekeeper PA
- Starting salaries starts from £500 net per week. Full-time annual salary depends on candidate’s credentials, experience, and duties, as well as previous salaries had.
- Salary guide is based on a 5 or 5 and half day work week, 8hrs plus a day, and is presented to you as a guide. Final salary always varies depending on the overall package offered.
Butlers are a specialised type of household staff responsible for efficiently running a formal household and meeting the employer’s personal needs.
House or Estate Managers coordinate the smooth operation of your household, anticipating and managing daily family challenges.
A good housekeeper provides the client with a wide variety of professional domestic services and takes on the responsibilities of cleaning, laundry, cooking and running errands. Each household is unique therefore the duties and responsibilities are usually discussed at interview stage.
A Live-In Housekeeper gives a wide range of support and care to your family. It gives you the flexibility to call on them for additional hours if you need extra support. Live-In Housekeeper is a favourable option for many clients.
A Housekeeper Nanny is required when duties involve the household and not just the children. The duties are wide ranging, depending on the needs of the family.
For clients with large homes, estates or gardens, a domestic couple may be the most suitable choice.
Hiring a houseman is fantastic solution for many households, a houseman ensures the general upkeep of a home, offers versatility and added security for the household.
A private personal chef can be an excellent option for a household that require a high standard of cooking while also tailoring the meals to specific personal preferences.
In home Elderly Carers and Companions help makes aging at home possible, by running routine errands, doing light housekeeping and providing a helping hand with the everyday tasks that often become more difficult for the elderly.
An estate manager is required when there are large, multi-property estates owned by a family. An estate manager’s focus is largely on a bigger picture, making sure that each home runs consistently and efficiently.
A Lady’s Maid is hired to serve as a lady-in-waiting to her female employer. This means she serves as a personal maid to the lady of the house. The valet is a manservant to the gentleman of the house.
How We Work
Once you’ve decided what type of services you’re looking for, you need to register with Forbes Private Staff by filling out our client registration form. This will ask you to list your candidate preferences and unique requirements, as well as you will be able to read our Term of Business and familiarise yourself with our fees. Once registration is received, your information will be carefully reviewed by a member of our staff who will then contact you directly to discuss all your specific requirements in a greater detail, to note down all the final information we need to start your perfect candidate search.
The Steps We Follow
- Understanding Your Needs
- The Matchmaking Process
- Interview
- Contract
- Follow Up and Ongoing Support
Placement Fees
At Forbes Private Staff it is crucial that the candidate you choose is the right match for your family, and to ensure this we provide 12 weeks of free replacement and ongoing after-placement support.
UK Placements
- Client registration Fee – FREE
- Permanent Full-Time Placement in Childcare (52 weeks + ) - 15% of the Annual Salary
- Permanent Full-Time Placement in Private Household (52 weeks +) – 15% of the Annual Salary
- Full-time Governess or Tutor Placements – 17% of the Annual Salary
- Full-Time Dual Residency Placements - required to work in the UK and Overseas - 18% of the Annual Salary
- Part-Time Governess or Tutor Placements – 19% of the Annual Salary
- After School Childcare Placements – 18% of the Annual Salary
- Part-Time Placements in Childcare and Private Households – 18% of the Annual Salary
- Maternity Nurses - £170 per week, min 2 weeks.
- Temporary Placements – £100 per day or £450 per week.
- Trials - £450 per week, up to 4 consecutive weeks; or fixed daily fee of £90.
Overseas Placements
- Client Registration Fee - FREE for Permanent Placements
- Client Registration Fee - £100 for Temporary or Holiday Placements
- All Permanent Placements – 20% of the Annual Salary
- Maternity Nurses - £230 per week, min 2 weeks
- Temporary Placements – £100 per day or £500 per week.
- Trials - £500 per week, up to 4 consecutive weeks.
To our loyal returning clients and our current client referrals, we offer a 10% discount on your placement fees.
Our Registration is FREE of charge to all our candidates.
For more information, please contact us or register online, and we’ll contact you to discuss your requirements and answer any questions you might have.
What our clients say about us?
‘Impeccable staff, trustworthy and punctual. A great company to deal with who consistently deliver. Highly recommended.’
‘I’d like to say how pleased I and my wife have been with the service we received from you and from our housekeeper who has been reliable and efficient throughout the several years she’s been with us. All the best for the future.’
‘You were more than helpful at arranging the service I wanted and it was executed perfectly. I will most definitely be using your services again. Thank you.’
