Let’s be honest — using a domestic staffing agency isn’t cheap. Depending on who you go with, you might be looking at 15% to 25% of the candidate’s annual salary in agency fees. That figure can climb even higher for agencies in London or more specialist placements.
So if your first thought is, “I can probably do this myself,” — you’re absolutely right. You can!
Yes, You Can Hire Household Staff Yourself
Plenty of families manage the process themselves, especially if they’ve hired before or have a trusted recommendation.
Here’s what you’ll need to take care of:
- Writing a clear and honest job description
- Knowing where (and how) to advertise the role
- Handling and filtering enquiries (be prepared to read 50 CVs or more!)
- Interviewing candidates
- Checking references — properly
- Verifying DBS certificates
- Confirming right to work in the UK
- Offering a contract and setting up payroll
- Managing trial shifts, feedback, and follow-ups
If you’ve got the time, energy, and confidence — there’s no reason you can’t do it yourself.
But It Takes Time — and Headspace
The biggest cost in DIY hiring isn’t money — it’s time.
Sifting through 50+ applications. Chasing no-shows. Calling references who don’t pick up. Rewriting job descriptions when the wrong applicants keep turning up. It all adds up.
If you’re working, parenting, or managing a household — it’s a lot to juggle. That’s where an agency becomes more than a luxury. It’s a time-saving, stress-reducing shortcut.
What Are You Really Paying For With a Domestic Staffing Agency?
A good domestic staffing agency doesn’t just send you a CV and call it a day. You’re paying for:
- Your time back — no chasing, no vetting, no second-guessing
- Expert insight — help with salary benchmarking, job descriptions, interview questions
- Access to better candidates — often from a pre-screened, trusted pool
- Accountability — someone to turn to if things go wrong
- Discretion and professionalism — especially important in UHNW households
And perhaps most importantly — you’re paying for the confidence that someone has done all the due diligence properly.
What’s Right for You?
It’s not about what you should do — it’s about what works for your household.
A domestic staffing agency might be the right choice if:
- You’re short on time
- The role is specialist or high-trust
- You’ve had hiring issues before
- You’ve never hired private staff before
You might prefer to go solo if:
- It’s a short-term or informal role
- You already know someone perfect
- You enjoy doing the process yourself
Final Thoughts
Hiring privately isn’t impossible — far from it. If you know what you’re doing and have time to do it well, it can absolutely work.
But when the stakes are high, or your time is stretched thin, working with a domestic staffing agency can offer peace of mind and professional guidance — and that can be worth its weight in gold.