What are the typical duties of a Housemanager?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, OP. you are only a mom on weekends?

What an odd question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most nanny / housemanager will do everything you asked. The hard part is the sick days - if you want guaranteed coverage for that, they’ll regularly need to be scheduled for all those hours. Or you can ask them if they’re willing to do it (for some extra amount most likely) if available. We do that currently with our 2-8pm nanny/house manager - she’s often available and willing to come at least part of a sick day but not always.

Most will not do any heavy cleaning but many will do a wide range of things (some including all family laundry, taking cars for maintenance, doing returns, cleaning up from morning breakfast etc). The main thing is try to think of most everything you’d want - they understandably fear scope creep

OP this is super helpful, thanks. I figured covering sick days would be hard, but even part day would be helpful. Is it reasonable to think that the hourly rate for this would be between $30 and $40 an hour?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think the tasks are unreasonable. I think you’ll struggle to find someone to stay until 8pm 5 nights a week. I’d try and make it 630pm most nights and 8pm only on the nights you really need it.

new poster here.
The problem with that is (assuming OP keeps the same start hours) it really cuts down on the total number of guaranteed hours and most nannies will want full time pay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think the tasks are unreasonable. I think you’ll struggle to find someone to stay until 8pm 5 nights a week. I’d try and make it 630pm most nights and 8pm only on the nights you really need it.

new poster here.
The problem with that is (assuming OP keeps the same start hours) it really cuts down on the total number of guaranteed hours and most nannies will want full time pay.

I agree it's not unreasonable what OP is asking.

OP, can you guarantee pay from 12pm to 8pm so a 40 hour week work of pay for the house manager regardless of however many days you don't need her? Plus paid holidays and PTO and you can definitely find someone suitable.

[Anonymous]

Agree that you should plan for a FT employee in this position. Like Boston poster above, you’re looking at a significant annual salary plus benefits. A staffing agency is probably your best bet for finding candidates. They will charge you, of course, but they can help you refine the responsibilities and expectations.

[Anonymous]

I’m an older nanny and this job would be perfect for me, the hours as well.

[Anonymous]

I am a nanny in DC for one family and make more than Boston poster cited, like 25% more, so I guess those high end agencies in Boston are pretty cheap. 60K a year with 40 hr work week does not amount to a lot, it is under $30 per hr, pretty cheap, especially for Boston

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most nanny / housemanager will do everything you asked. The hard part is the sick days - if you want guaranteed coverage for that, they’ll regularly need to be scheduled for all those hours. Or you can ask them if they’re willing to do it (for some extra amount most likely) if available. We do that currently with our 2-8pm nanny/house manager - she’s often available and willing to come at least part of a sick day but not always.

Most will not do any heavy cleaning but many will do a wide range of things (some including all family laundry, taking cars for maintenance, doing returns, cleaning up from morning breakfast etc). The main thing is try to think of most everything you’d want - they understandably fear scope creep

OP this is super helpful, thanks. I figured covering sick days would be hard, but even part day would be helpful. Is it reasonable to think that the hourly rate for this would be between $30 and $40 an hour?

We pay $35 on the books for someone who is early in their career but phenomenal

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hope you’re loaded.

ROTFLOL

[Anonymous]

If you want coverage starting early am for sick days plus childcare until 8 pm and household management, you may want to consider either a live-in nanny/household manager or limiting commute to 30 minutes.If the nanny starts before 8 and ends after 8? You need someone who won’t burn out.

[Anonymous]

We have this set up. Our nanny/ house manager is a 56 year old woman who quit corporate world 10 years ago and began managing households. She said she needed a total change. She works 12-8 everyday and handles all the groceries, laundry, dry cleaning, household maintenance and after school duties (kids are 8,12 and 15). She’s amazing because she lives in the area and has connections to plumbers, handymen, Etc. Her kids are now in college so she’s also not afraid of tweens/ teens. Heck, I also go to her for advice. We pay her $90k a year.

[Anonymous]

I like all of the different names people come up with for this sort of position when it really comes down to wanting to hire a housewife. No shame in that, IMO!

[Anonymous]

Honestly our au pairs have done all this except watering plants and refilling soap dispensers. None of the things you listed are difficult tasks or things that require special skills. I think if you remove the title and spell out exactly what you’d like done with some period of training/reviewing expectations you could find someone that fits the bill and can work the hours.