Keeping a house clean and organized takes a lot of work, especially if you have a large home, keep a busy schedule, or simply hate doing house chores. Individuals and families of all types and sizes hire housekeepers on a full-time, part-time, or live-in basis to keep interior spaces sanitary, tidy, and enjoyable to spend time in.
If you’ve ever considered hiring a live-in housekeeper, here’s what you should know about this household professional’s duties, benefits, and best hiring practices.
What is a Live-In Housekeeper?
Unlike a housekeeper that maintains his or her own residence and commutes to work in your home, a live-in housekeeper lives in your home and becomes an extended part of the family. Live-in housekeepers have their own room or separate area of the house to live in so that they have some degree of privacy but are also available to coordinate and work with the homeowner as needed.
Benefits of Having a Live-In Housekeeper
When you hire a live-in housekeeper, you don’t have to worry about your housekeeper being late to work or having to find reliable transportation to get to work. You may be able to rely upon your live-in housekeeper to work alternative hours around your schedule, such as weekends, evenings, and holidays based upon your housekeeper agreement. By living in your home, your housekeeper will get familiar quicker with where everything is in your home and how you like your home to be run. A live-in arrangement also allows you and your family members to develop a closer personal relationship with your housekeeper, which can improve communication and coordination for cleaning tasks that need to be done.
Typical Duties of a Live-In Housekeeper
Some of the most common duties of a live-in housekeeper include making the beds, vacuuming floors, cleaning bathrooms, and cleaning the kitchen. Families often request that these household professionals take care of oven cleaning, cabinet cleaning, window washing, doing the dishes, and taking out the trash. Surface polishing, closet organizing, laundry, and ironing may also be expected of a live-in housekeeper.
But the responsibilities can extend well beyond basic cleaning. Many live-in housekeepers are also experienced with:
- Deep cleaning tasks, ensuring every nook and cranny is spotless
- Errand running, such as picking up groceries or dry cleaning
- Furniture maintenance and care for specialty items like antiques and silver
- Fine laundering for delicate fabrics and garments
- Closet and pantry organization to keep your home running smoothly
- Packing and unpacking for trips or a move
- Formal table service and meal preparation for busy families or special occasions
Although every live-in housekeeper job is a bit different, many of these professionals are experienced with cleaning rugs and draperies, dusting surfaces, sweeping and mopping floors, and keeping the kitchen well-stocked. You might also look for a housekeeping professional who has experience with taking care of pets, running errands, planning meal menus, and disinfecting items with specialized sterilizers.
Ultimately, the specific duties of a live-in housekeeper can be tailored to your household’s unique needs, ensuring your home remains both clean and comfortable.
Executive Housekeeper Responsibilities Beyond the Basics
If you’re looking for a level of service that goes beyond cleaning and organizing, an executive housekeeper might be exactly what your home needs. While live-in housekeepers are invaluable for everyday household cleanliness, an executive housekeeper takes on a more robust and multifaceted role within the home.
Some of the additional responsibilities you can expect from an executive housekeeper include:
- Managing Other Household Staff: Overseeing and training other employees, such as nannies, gardeners, or cooks, to ensure the entire household runs smoothly.
- Supervising Vendors and Contractors: Coordinating with outside services—like landscapers, repair technicians, or delivery personnel—so you don’t have to juggle multiple appointments or follow-ups.
- Handling Household Expenses: Managing petty cash or tracking household budgets, often using household credit cards for purchases and expense reporting.
- Wardrobe and Guest Management: Organizing closets, caring for delicate garments, and making sure guest rooms are always prepared and welcoming.
- Specialized Care: Polishing fine silver, caring for antiques, or overseeing the upkeep of art collections are often in their repertoire.
- Errand Running: From grocery shopping to coordinating dry cleaning and appointments, executive housekeepers frequently manage daily errands efficiently.
- Household Communication: Acting as a point of contact for household matters, keeping you updated via email, text, or calls.
- Meal Preparation and Service: Planning and preparing meals, and occasionally serving guests during dinner parties or special events.
- Additional Oversight: Maintaining vehicles, accepting deliveries, and managing inventories to ensure your home keeps running like a well-oiled machine.
By having an executive housekeeper on board, you’re not just getting a cleaner home—you’re enlisting a household manager who ensures every detail, both big and small, is handled with utmost care.
Salary Ranges and Expected Hours for Live-In Housekeepers
When considering a live-in housekeeper, it’s important to understand the typical pay structure and work expectations within the industry. Most live-in housekeepers receive hourly rates that generally range from $40 to $50 per hour, depending on experience, specialized skills, and location.
In addition to competitive wages, families should also plan to commit to a minimum number of hours. Commonly, households request at least an 8-hour daily shift. Some arrangements may include overtime, especially when responsibilities extend to weekends, evenings, or holidays. This ensures that both you and your housekeeper have a clear understanding of the time commitment needed for a smoothly run and well-cared-for home.
Client Experiences with Hiring Domestic Staff
Hearing from families and individuals who have successfully brought live-in housekeepers or household staff into their homes can be a great reassurance if you’re new to the process.
For example, one estate manager in Manhattan shared that she had been able to quickly find capable, trustworthy team members thanks to a personalized hiring approach. She appreciated how her unique household needs were understood from the start. Each of her searches led to professional, reliable additions to her staff.
Others echo similar sentiments—expressing gratitude for a streamlined process that takes the guesswork out of hiring. Whether it’s a family in Chicago raving about the seamless interview arrangements or a busy professional in Los Angeles who values the careful screening of candidates, feedback often highlights:
- An attentive matching process tailored to the household’s lifestyle
- Responsive, knowledgeable support throughout hiring
- Candidates who quickly become valued, long-term members of the team
These positive experiences demonstrate that, with the right assistance, finding the perfect live-in housekeeper can be straightforward, rewarding, and—most importantly—personalized to your family’s way of life.
Types of Domestic Staff for Your Home or Estate
Depending on your household’s unique needs, a variety of domestic professionals can be hired to help your home run smoothly and efficiently. Here’s a helpful overview of common roles you might consider:
- Full-Time and Part-Time Housekeepers: Whether you require daily upkeep or just a few days of support each week, housekeepers are the backbone of a tidy, well-organized home. Their typical responsibilities include deep cleaning, laundry, meal preparation, running errands, closet and pantry organization, and caring for delicate items like antiques and silver.
- Executive Housekeepers: For larger homes or households with greater complexity, an executive housekeeper combines hands-on cleaning duties with management tasks. This role often includes staff supervision, overseeing household budgets, coordinating with vendors or contractors, wardrobe care, and assisting with household events.
- Temporary Housekeepers: If you need extra help for a special occasion, busy season, or while regular staff are away, temporary housekeepers offer flexibility without a long-term commitment.
- Butlers or Majordomos: For those seeking a touch of five-star service, hiring a butler or majordomo ensures personal attention to detail. These professionals handle formal service, table setting, silver polishing, guest reception, and can even assist with training other household staff.
- Chauffeurs: If reliable transportation is essential, a chauffeur can drive family members, maintain vehicles, and often help with light personal assistant tasks. Chauffeurs can be hired full-time, part-time, or on a temporary basis.
The right combination of domestic staff can transform your home into an oasis of comfort, order, and ease, tailored to the rhythms of your daily life.
Finding a Live-In Housekeeper to Fit Your Needs
The first step to finding a live-in housekeeper you’ll love is to fill out our online family application. This will tell us more about what you are looking for and to upload your job description. You can also browse available housekeeper candidates on our website or contact us to learn more about how the hiring process works.