Estate Manager
One person who runs the whole property, whether you're home or three time zones away.
Resources
Household Staffing Resources
Hiring private household staff is an investment in the smooth running of your home, property, and lifestyle. Whether you are hiring your first household professional or expanding an established estate team, understanding roles, compensation, employment responsibilities, and best practices can help create a successful working relationship from the start.
Understanding household staff roles
One of the first steps in hiring successfully is defining exactly what you need. Household staffing titles can vary, and responsibilities often overlap depending on the size of the property, lifestyle of the family, number of residences, and existing staff.
Our role guides explain what each position covers, who it suits, what to look for in candidates, and the Montana-specific realities of the job, from winterizing a remote property to cooking with local beef and game.
Household Manager / Family Assistant
Keeps the calendar, the staff and the household running.
Lead Housekeeper / Housekeeper
Keeps your home the way you like it, and ready for guests between visits.
Private Chef
From family dinners to full weekends of guests, with local Montana beef, game and produce when you want it.
Career & ROTA Nanny
One steady caregiver, or a rotating team for round-the-clock care.
Newborn Care Specialist
Trained overnight and daytime help for the first months.
Ranch Staff
Livestock, land and equipment looked after whether or not you're there.
Paying household staff
Attracting and retaining exceptional household professionals requires compensation that reflects the experience, skills, responsibilities, schedule, and expectations of the position.
While minimum wage establishes a legal baseline, professional household staffing operates within a competitive employment market. Compensation should be considered in the context of the complete role rather than simply the lowest hourly rate available. We’ll discuss compensation for your specific role as part of your consultation.
Understanding your responsibilities as a household employer
Hiring someone to work in your home may make you a household employer, with tax, payroll, recordkeeping, and other responsibilities that differ from those associated with hiring an independent contractor.
The IRS provides information to help household employers understand federal requirements, including determining whether someone is considered a household employee and the tax responsibilities that may follow.
Visit the IRS household employer guide
Household payroll services
Managing payroll correctly is an important part of employing household staff. GTM Payroll Services specializes in household employment and can assist employers with payroll processing, tax filings, workers’ compensation, and other household employment requirements.
Montana Luxury Estate Staffing may receive a referral fee if you choose to use GTM Payroll Services through this link, at no additional cost to you.
Protecting your household and creating a professional working relationship
A successful placement extends beyond finding the right candidate. Clearly defined expectations, appropriate employment practices, confidentiality, insurance considerations, documentation, and professional boundaries can help protect both the household and the employee.
Our client terms list what a written employment agreement with your new household employee may cover, and our Client FAQ answers common questions about the placement process.
Tax and employment requirements vary according to individual circumstances. Montana Luxury Estate Staffing does not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice. We recommend consulting the appropriate qualified professional regarding your specific household employment obligations.
Ready to find the right household professional?
Every household is different. We take the time to understand your property, lifestyle, staffing needs, and expectations before beginning the search for the right professional, whether you are hiring for a private residence, estate, ranch, or seasonal home in Montana.
Serving Bozeman, Big Sky, Whitefish, Kalispell, Missoula, Billings and nearby communities.