Hiring Household Staff in London
Hiring household staff in London requires a clear understanding of both the role and the structure of your home. Whether you are looking to hire a housekeeper, butler, private chef, or a full household team, the right hire depends on your lifestyle, expectations, and the level of service required.
At Bespoke Bureau, we support private households, family offices, and UHNW clients in London and internationally, ensuring each placement reflects the rhythm, discretion, and operational standards of the home. As an established household staff agency in London, we guide clients through every stage of the process — from defining the role to securing the right long-term fit. As a domestic staff agency in London, we combine recruitment expertise with real household experience to deliver exceptional long-term placements.
How We Recruit and Vet Household Staff in London
Working with a professional household staff agency in London means more than simply filling a vacancy. It involves understanding the structure of your home, defining the role correctly, and ensuring that the person you hire is suited to your household’s pace, standards, and expectations.
At Bespoke Bureau, we advise on team structure, role definition, and long-term fit, helping private households secure staff who integrate smoothly and remain for the long term.
Most candidates registered with Bespoke Bureau come recommended by previous clients or candidates, and many have already worked in the homes of UHNW families. The majority have been known to us for years, and over 70% return to us for new roles, reflecting strong trust and long-term relationships. Our candidates are skilled, polished, and accustomed to working in refined private homes. To register with us, they must complete a strict, multi-stage vetting process that includes:
- Minimum 5+ years of private household experience
- Full reference verification
- Recent DBS check
- Identity and right-to-work checks
- Documented service history and a clear CV
- Proof of training, certificates, or specialist skills
This process ensures that only elite-level domestic staff join our books.
Types of Household Staff
We Place in London Our household staff agency in London provides a wide selection of luxury domestic staff, including experienced housekeepers, house Managers, private chefs, private chauffeurs, nannies, domestic couples, private PAs, and carers
All roles are available on a permanent or temporary basis, including full-time, part-time, live-in, live-out, and rota positions, depending on the needs of the household.
Every placement is tailored to the specific requirements, culture, and service standards of your home. We specialise in Filipina housekeepers UK and have 700+ registered Filipino candidates, with over 100 currently available.
We also represent household staff from: The UK EU countries (Spain, France, Germany, Italy, etc.) Eastern Europe South America South Africa All registered staff hold the right to work in the UK.
The only agency we use!
Fast, efficient, and professional. We have used Bespoke Bureau for years and would not look anywhere else.
Private household client, London
They get it right!
They get it right the first time. Sara listens and understands. Highly recommended.
Private client
The best butlers!
We hire all our butlers from Bespoke Bureau and train our staff with the British Butler Academy. They are the best.
Five-star hotel, London
Clever!
No fuss, efficient service, and excellent candidates. Thank you!
UHNW private household
Understanding Household Staff Roles and Structure
What Is a House Manager?
A house manager is a senior household professional responsible for the day-to-day running of a private home. The role typically includes supervising staff, coordinating contractors, managing schedules, and ensuring the household operates smoothly and discreetly. In larger or fully staffed homes, the house manager often acts as the central point of communication between principals and staff.
Live-In vs Live-Out Household Staff
Live-in household staff reside within the property and are often suited to roles requiring flexibility or extended coverage, particularly in larger homes or estates. Live-out staff work set hours and live separately, which can be ideal for households seeking a more structured arrangement.
What Is a Temp-to-Perm Household Staff Placement?
A temp-to-perm arrangement allows a household to employ a staff member on a temporary basis before offering a permanent role. This approach provides reassurance for both the client and the candidate, ensuring the position is the right long-term fit.
Cost of Household Staff in London
Hiring household staff in London involves understanding both salary expectations and the broader costs associated with employing domestic staff in a private household.
Salaries vary depending on the role, experience level, and structure of the household. A senior housekeeper or house manager will command a higher salary than a junior or part-time position, while roles involving travel, multiple residences, or specialist skills typically sit at the upper end of the market.
Overseas placements may also offer higher salaries, reflecting relocation, travel, accommodation, and increased service expectations.
At Bespoke Bureau, we guide clients through current market benchmarks, ensuring salary expectations align with candidate availability and long-term retention. As a specialist household staff agency in London, we provide up-to-date guidance based on real placements across private households and estates.
Housekeeper
£45,000–£55,000 gross per year
(Live-in and live-out roles usually fall within the same range due to limited supply of live-in candidates.)
Part-Time Housekeeper: from £20 per hour (net)
Personal assistant
£60,000–£100,000 gross per year
(Compensation varies based on experience, household size, and level of responsibility.)
Head Housekeeper
From £55,000+ gross per year
(Salaries increase based on team size, property scale, and level of responsibility.)
Butlers
From £60,000+ gross per year
(Senior, formal-service, or multi-property roles may command higher salaries.)
Private Chefs
From £70,000+ gross per year
(Chefs with fine-dining, Michelin, or multi-cuisine expertise may command higher salaries.)
Carer
From £55,000+ gross per year
(Rates vary based on needs, specialist training, and schedule requirements.)
House Manager
From £75,000+ gross per year (Salaries increase for multi-property oversight, staff management, and high-complexity estates.)
Part time housekeepers
From £20 per hour net (Rates vary based on duties, schedule, and level of experience.)
Nanny
From £50,000+ gross per year (Experienced, Norland-trained, bilingual, or travel nannies often command £60,000–£90,000+, depending on schedule and responsibilities.)
Domestic Couples
From £70,000+ gross per year (combined)
(Salaries increase for larger estates, extended duties, or households requiring specialist skills such as cooking, driving, maintenance or formal service.)
Step by step
How it works
Contact us
Reach out by phone or email. Tell us about your household staffing needs. We will listen, refine the job specification, and share our agency information and terms.
Review Cvs
Once terms are agreed, we send a curated shortlist of pre-vetted candidates. We organise interviews in person or via video, and trials are available on request.
Job offer
When you choose your ideal candidate, we assist with drafting the offer letter, preparing the employment contract, and organising all logistics for a smooth start.
Follow up
We remain in close contact with you and your new staff member to ensure a successful, long-term placement. Ongoing support is always available.
