Butler agency London

Household staff agency London

Household staff

If you are looking to hire household staff in London or internationally, Bespoke Bureau is an established household staff agency with over 20 years of experience supporting UHNW families, private estates, and family offices. We specialise in placing experienced housekeepers, butlers, chefs, nannies, personal assistants, and full household teams for both permanent and temporary roles.

Through our carefully vetted candidate network, clients are often able to meet suitable candidates within 24–48 hours, with many available for immediate trial periods. We are known for our clear process, competitive fees, and long replacement guarantee, providing reassurance and continuity for private households.

Bespoke Bureau offers a discreet, efficient recruitment service from initial consultation through to placement, working closely with principals and household managers in London and internationally.

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Quality of our Household Staff Agency in London

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.

Available Household Staff in London

Our household staff agency in London provides a wide selection of luxury domestic staff, including:

And more

All roles are available on:

  • Permanent or temporary basis
  • Full-time or part-time hours
  • Live-in or live-out
  • Rota schedules

Every placement is tailored to the specific needs, culture, and service standards of your home.

bespoke available staff
filipina maid service

Different nationality Household Staff

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.

House Manager

Understanding Household Staff Roles in London

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.

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. Live-out staff live separately and work set hours, which can be ideal for households seeking structure and privacy outside working time.

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 provides reassurance for both the client and the candidate that the position is the right long-term fit.

Cost of Household Staff in London

Here are the standard salary benchmarks for professional domestic staff in London, based on current market conditions and candidate availability.

Overseas placements generally offer higher salaries, reflecting relocation, travel, accommodation, and increased service expectations.

Students in training

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Other costs to keep in mind when hiring Household Staff in London:

  • Taxes and benefits: As the employer, you are responsible for tax, National Insurance, and pension contributions. Many families also offer benefits such as private medical cover, paid holidays, and bank holiday entitlement. Bespoke Bureau clients receive a 20% discount on StaffTax payroll subscriptions.
  • Recruitment fees: Household staff agencies, including Bespoke Bureau, charge a recruitment fee for sourcing, vetting, and placing domestic staff. This covers shortlisting, interviews, background checks, and aftercare support.
  • Training and development: Many households invest in specialist training such as housekeeper training, laundry skills, silver service, or service etiquette. Our in-house partner, the British Butler Academy, offers professional training for all domestic staff.
  • Accommodation:If your staff live in, you must provide suitable accommodation. This may include rent, utilities, furnishings, and ongoing maintenance costs.
  • Insurance: UK law requires employers to hold Employer’s Liability Insurance to protect both the household and the staff member. Additional home or contents insurance may be necessary, depending on the role.
  • Uniforms and equipment: Households may need to provide uniforms, cleaning equipment, tools, or supplies depending on the duties of the role.

Common Questions About Household Staff in London

How quickly can you place household staff in London?

Timeframes vary depending on the role and specific requirements, but we are often able to introduce suitable candidates within days. For urgent or temporary placements, we prioritise speed while maintaining our full vetting and selection standards.

Do you place both temporary and permanent household staff?

Yes. We place temporary, permanent, and temp-to-perm household staff, including live-in and live-out roles. Our consultants will advise on the most appropriate arrangement based on your household’s needs.

What types of household staff do you recruit for private homes?

We recruit a wide range of household staff, including housekeepers, butlers, chefs, nannies, house managers, personal assistants, chauffeurs, and carers for private residences.

Are your household staff fully vetted and referenced?

All candidates placed through Bespoke Bureau are carefully vetted. This includes reference checks, verification of employment history, and right-to-work checks. Many of our candidates are already known to us and have successfully worked with our clients previously.

Do you work with UHNW and international clients?

Yes. We regularly work with UHNW families, family offices, and international clients with residences in London and abroad, providing discreet and tailored household staffing solutions.

Can you help with live-in and live-out household staff roles?

Yes. We recruit for both live-in and live-out household staff positions and will advise on the most suitable structure depending on your property, schedule, and household preferences.

Do you offer temp-to-perm household staff placements?

Yes. A temp-to-perm placement allows you to employ a staff member on a temporary basis before offering a permanent role, giving both the client and candidate confidence that the position is the right long-term fit.

Domestic staff agency

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