A houseman handles the hands-on work in a private home. The job covers cleaning, basic repairs, moving furniture, outdoor tasks, and event support.
The role overlaps with housekeeping and maintenance. In smaller homes, one houseman covers both. On larger estates, the houseman works alongside housekeepers, gardeners, and a house or estate manager.
What does a houseman do?
A houseman does the jobs in a home that need strength, reach, or tools. The workload shifts through the year. Some roles include light driving, like running to the florist, collecting deliveries, or taking the family car in for servicing.
Our New York recruiters say second homes have quiet weeks followed by busy ones when the family is in town. Event weekends can pack a full week of work into two days, with tables to move, carpets to lay, and chairs to bring out of storage.
Morgan Richez, co-founder of Morgan & Mallet, says household staff today handle more tasks. Many housemen now manage inventory, run errands, and help with light service.
What skills and qualities does a houseman need?
Physical fitness and practical skills matter most. A houseman lifts, carries, climbs ladders, and uses tools every day.
Employers want someone who can handle a range of jobs without formal training in each area. Carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, painting, and pool care all come up. Hands-on experience matters more than a trade certificate.
Discretion is just as important. Candidates who stay focused on their work and keep out of family matters last longer in the role.
The best housemen are self-directed. They walk the property, notice what needs doing, and get on with it. Employers check the work, and anything missed shows up fast.
Ellie Littlechild, Morgan & Mallet’s recruiter in Dubai, says, “The most successful candidates treat the home as if it were their own.”
A houseman works alongside housekeepers, nannies, gardeners, and sometimes a butler, with no strict hierarchy. Our recruiters watch for signs of gossip or status-seeking during interviews, and those candidates rarely move forward.
Is a houseman the same as a handyman?
A handyman comes in for specific jobs and leaves, charging by the hour or the project. A houseman works in the home as part of the staff, earns a salary, and handles a wider mix of tasks.
For a one-off repair, hire a handyman. For a home that needs someone in it every day, hire a h
How much does a houseman earn in 2026?
Here are the 2026 salary ranges for housemen by country, based on Morgan & Mallet’s 2026 Household Staff Salaries Annual Report.
| Country | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| USA | $55,000 to $90,000 |
| UAE | AED 96,000 to AED 144,000 |
| UK | £40,000 to £60,000 |
| France | €45,000 to €60,000 |
| Monaco | €35,000 to €55,000 |
| Belgium | €35,000 to €50,000 |
| Switzerland | CHF 55,000 to CHF 70,000 |
| Saudi Arabia | SAR 84,000 to SAR 144,000 |
Pay depends on the size of the property, whether the role is live-in or live-out, and whether the job crosses into gardening, light driving, or event work. NDAs and discretion clauses add 15 to 20% to base salary across household staff roles, per the same report.
What are the working conditions for a houseman?
A houseman can be live-in or live-out, depending on the home, the schedule, and the family.
Live-in roles come with housing and meals. They suit large estates where early mornings, late nights, and event weekends are common. Cash salary is usually a bit lower, but housing, utilities, and food are covered.
Live-out roles suit city homes and smaller properties. Hours are more predictable, and cash salary runs higher because the employee pays their own rent.
Most housemen work five to six days a week, with flexibility for events and guest arrivals.
Some estates hire a houseman and housekeeper together as a domestic couple, sharing housing and pay.
“For security reasons, it’s better to hire a domestic couple because you’ve got a human in the property when the owner is not there,” says Morgan Richez.
What is the career progression for a houseman?
The houseman role is a common starting point for senior household jobs. Candidates who stay five to 10 years and take on more can move into lead houseman, butler, house manager, or estate manager positions.
Butler work is a common next step once a houseman has picked up service skills like table setting, wine service, and wardrobe care.
House manager and estate manager are the next steps up, with responsibility for budgets, vendors, staff schedules, and legal compliance. The full path from houseman to estate manager usually takes 10 to 15 years.
Sample houseman job description template
Position: Houseman
Location: [City or region]
Reports to: House Manager
Employment type: Full-time, [live-in / live-out]
Schedule: Five days a week, with flexibility for events and weekends
Key responsibilities
- Clean chandeliers, tall windows, cornices, and other areas outside the housekeepers’ reach
- Polish silver and reset rooms after guests leave
- Handle small repairs: carpentry, plumbing, bulb changes, and paint touch-ups
- Look after outdoor spaces: pool cleaning, power washing, lighting, and seasonal tasks
- Set up and break down events, including moving furniture and handling deliveries
- Track inventory, run errands, and help with guest arrivals
Skills and experience
- Five or more years in a similar role on a private estate
- Hands-on skills across carpentry, plumbing, electrical, and painting
- Comfortable on ladders and with heavy lifting
- Familiar with the care of fine materials like marble, antique wood, and delicate fabrics
- Valid driver’s license and willing to sign an NDA
What we offer
- Housing and meals if live-in
- Salary: $55,000 to $90,000, based on experience
- Health insurance and paid vacation
Looking to hire a houseman?
If you’re hiring a houseman, a clear brief gets you a stronger shortlist. The more specific you can be about what the job needs to cover day to day, the faster we can put the right people in front of you.
To start a search, call our recruiter on +1 (646) 965-2308 for your free consultation.
Apply as a houseman today
Morgan & Mallet’s recruiters work with candidates worldwide through offices in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Palm Beach, London, Paris, Geneva, and Dubai.You can browse open positions on the Morgan & Mallet job board and our recruitment team will be in touch.