Private Housekeeper Job Description
Considering a career as a private housekeeper?
Here are our answers to some of the questions we are frequently asked by candidates thinking about becoming housekeepers:
Housekeeping Duties, Responsibilities & Skills
How does the Coronavirus (COVID-19) affect your housekeeping work?
It’s important that the government’s emergency legislation and guidance is followed to ensure everyone’s safety. You should be able to self-isolate prior to starting your new job if required (including within clients’ households for live-in jobs, or in separate accommodation on their premises).
What are the duties and responsibilities of a housekeeper?
To ensure a home is kept organised, clean and tidy
Keep on top of the laundry, ironing and wardrobe management
Cooking
Running errands and organising the home
Driving (do the necessary shopping and school runs etc.)
Deal with the tradesmen that may come to the house and oversee their work
Specialist skills, such as care of a couture wardrobe or antiques and other artefacts
Pet care
What skills do you need to be a good housekeeper?
The ability to spot what needs doing in a home
Creating systems if and when needed and/or maintaining them
Time management
Attention to detail
Product/fabric/surface knowledge
Does a housekeeper do laundry?
Yes, washing, ironing, and handwashing - some more formal households will have a dedicated laundress.
What is included in a basic house cleaning?
General tidy up
Daily cleaning of Kitchen, Bathrooms, Loos and public areas
Hoovering and dusting
Making beds
How long does it take one person to clean a house?
Depends on the size of the house and the number of bedrooms.
What are housekeeping rules?
Discretion
High attention to detail
Not cutting corners
Is housekeeping a career?
It is indeed for many and there is progression if that is what someone wants i.e becoming a Head Housekeeper and maybe moving on to being a House Manager eventually.
Is being a housekeeper a good job?
It is and the salaries on offer are very competitive in fact, they can be higher than some office jobs!
Why do I want to be a housekeeper?
Excellent career with excellent salaries available. If you enjoy hands on work and seeing the immediate results of your work, then this is for you!
What is a housekeeping job like?
It can be demanding and very busy if working in a busy and active family home.
What are 3 qualities a housekeeper should possess?
Attention to detail
Organisational skills
The ability to learn and adapt in the household they work in
How much should a housekeeper get paid hourly?
Depends on the role and the experience but part timer usually in the range of £11 - £13 net per hour. Full time Housekeepers, depending on the level, can range between £26 - £43K. Find out more on the average housekeeper salaries page.
How do housekeepers get paid?
Generally via payroll.
What hours does a housekeeper work?
In the country generally 40 hours per week. In London a 40/50 hour week. However, some jobs are not fixed hours and Monday to Friday but can require shifts and rotas.
What is the difference between a housekeeper and a cleaning lady?
A cleaner is generally there to ensure a home is kept clean and tidy and do the laundry and ironing. Quite often guided by the instructions given. A Housekeeper is expected to be more a self-starter, able to run a home, oversee tradesmen, keep track of household stocks, possibly do inventory, create systems within the house etc.
What's the difference between a maid and a housekeeper?
A Maid usually works under instruction and within a structure and routine i.e Hotel Maids or those in fully staffed households.
What are the duties and responsibilities of an executive housekeeper?
Spot checks
Impeccable standards of housekeeping
Organising the home
Could include supervising other housekeepers and/or assisting a Head Housekeeper/Manager
What are the housekeeping manager's duties and responsibilities?
Running of a home or establishment
Supervising other housekeeper/cleaners
Spot check
Being hands on where needed with housekeeping duties, training, recruiting and more
