Oplu is a specialist recruitment agency for private households and estates seeking domestic and service staff. We place candidates into roles where discretion, competence and character matter more than a conventional CV. Our clients include families, principals and estate offices across the UK and internationally.
Hiring domestic staff well requires more than matching a job title to a candidate list. It means understanding how a household runs, what the principal expects and where a new hire will sit within an existing team. The brief has to reflect that before a search begins.
Private households need staff who can work independently, adapt to changing routines and maintain high standards without constant oversight. The roles vary widely in scope. A housekeeper managing a single London residence faces different demands from one overseeing a country estate with seasonal occupancy. A chef cooking daily family meals works to a different rhythm than one preparing for regular entertaining.
Oplu works across the full range of domestic and service staff positions. Each search is scoped around the specific household, not a generic job description.
Not every household needs every role. Some need a single housekeeper who can manage the entire property. Others need a full team with clearly defined responsibilities. The table below outlines the core domestic roles and where they sit.
| Role | Focus | Typical mandate | Key difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housekeeper | Property care, organisation, daily household management | Cleaning, laundry, stock management, supplier liaison | Manages the physical environment and day-to-day running of the home |
| Butler | Front-of-house service, hospitality, household coordination | Table service, guest management, wine cellar, staff oversight | Sets the standard of service and acts as the principal's point of contact |
| Chef | Food preparation, menu planning, dietary management | Daily meals, entertaining, sourcing, kitchen management | Works to the family's tastes and schedule, often independently |
| Chauffeur | Transport, vehicle management, route planning | School runs, airport transfers, event logistics, fleet care | Combines driving skill with discretion and flexible availability |
A household couple can cover two of these areas in a single live-in arrangement. This is common in smaller properties or secondary residences where a full team is not justified.
We work with principals, family offices, estate managers and private PAs. Some clients are building a household team for the first time. Others are replacing a long-serving member of staff or restructuring roles after a property change.
UK domestic staff salaries sit above most of Europe. Cross-border mobility is limited, so the UK market sets its own floor. Clients hiring in London or the Home Counties should expect salary benchmarks that reflect this reality.
The brief is the foundation of a good hire. Before starting a search, it is worth defining a few things clearly.
Hours and structure. Is this a live-in or live-out role? What are the core hours? Is flexibility required for travel, entertaining or seasonal changes?
Responsibilities. What does the role actually cover day to day? Where does it overlap with other staff? Where are the boundaries?
Experience level. Does the household need someone senior who can run the operation, or someone earlier in their career who will grow into the role?
Salary and package. In domestic roles, candidates talk about net salary. Clients should care about gross, because that is what they actually pay. The gap between the two is where most budget surprises sit. Getting this right at the start avoids difficult conversations later.
Some clients prefer to start staff on a lower salary deliberately. Not low, but below what they could pay. A high number attracts candidates motivated by money. A reasonable number attracts candidates motivated by the role. The salary rises fast for the right person.
The best domestic staff share a few qualities. They anticipate rather than react. They maintain standards without being asked. They understand that the household is someone's home, not a workplace in the conventional sense.
A housekeeper can start on a salary that matches a first-year analyst at a City investment bank. The difference is that the analyst's salary doubles in three years. The housekeeper's barely moves. This means retention depends on more than pay. It depends on the working environment, the relationship with the principal and the clarity of the role.
Great staff stay because the role is well defined, the household is well run and the expectations are fair. Getting the hire right at the start is what makes that possible.
Every search begins with a scoping conversation. We define the role, the household context and the candidate profile before presenting anyone. Candidates are interviewed, referenced and assessed against the specific brief.
Oplu does not send long shortlists. We present a small number of strong candidates, typically three to five, with clear context on why each one fits. We manage the process through to offer, start date and beyond. Our approach is confidential throughout.
A full-time live-out housekeeper in London typically earns between £35,000 and £55,000 gross per annum, depending on experience and the scope of the role. Live-in positions may sit slightly lower in gross terms but include accommodation and often meals. Salaries for a Head Housekeeper managing a large property or team can exceed £60,000.
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