Hiring guide
How to hire a live-in housekeeper.
A practical guide for households: defining the role, screening properly, agreeing pay and hours, running a trial and putting the arrangement in writing — so the person who runs your home stays for years, not weeks.
Step by step
Six steps to the right hire
Write the role down before you look
List the rooms, the laundry load, whether cooking is included, how many people live in the home and which days matter most. A written scope prevents the slow creep of duties that ends most household placements.
Decide live-in, daily or part-time
Live-in suits large homes and irregular hours and requires private accommodation. Daily housekeeping gives you the same continuity without hosting. Many households start with three long days and grow from there.
Set the pay and hours honestly
Agree an hourly rate, weekly hours, overtime expectations and time off in writing. On Pekerly each Pekerly Runner publishes their own hourly rate, so you compare real numbers rather than agency estimates.
Screen properly, then meet
Confirm identity, right to work, references and any relevant training before the interview. Then talk about how your home actually runs — pets, children, allergies, guests, valuables and privacy.
Run a paid trial
Book one or two paid visits before committing to a regular schedule. It shows you their standard of work and shows them your household, with no obligation on either side.
Put the arrangement in writing
Confirm duties, schedule, rate, holiday, notice period and house rules. Keep a written record of any change so both sides stay clear over the years.
At the interview
Questions worth asking
Wondering what a thorough background check should actually cover? Read our guide to private household staff screening.
Questions
Hiring FAQs
How much does a live-in housekeeper cost?
Cost depends on your city, the size of the home and whether cooking or care duties are included. Rather than a fixed range, Pekerly shows each Pekerly Runner's own hourly rate before you book, plus the full booking total, so you can budget precisely.
What checks should a live-in housekeeper have?
At minimum: verified identity, right to work, contactable references from previous households, and any care or food-safety training relevant to the duties. Pekerly shows confirmed trust steps on each Pekerly Runner's Trust Passport, so you can see what has been completed before you book.
Should I hire through an agency or directly?
Agencies add a mark-up on every hour and often keep you at arm's length from the person in your home. Booking directly through a verified platform keeps the relationship — and the rate — between you and your housekeeper.
How long should a trial period be?
One to two paid visits is usually enough to judge standards and fit, followed by a four-week review once a regular schedule begins.
What happens if my housekeeper is unwell or away?
Agree cover in advance. Pekerly Backup arranges a verified replacement so your household is never left without help, and the replacement arrives briefed on your home's notes.