6 Steps To Determine If You Need To Hire Another Housekeeper

I recently had an estate manager reach out for feedback. She’s getting ready to step into a new position and the position’s current staff didn’t seem adequate for the square footage of house. I’ve been in this situation before — where, on my first day, the housekeeper was in tears. She hadn’t had a day off in 2 ½ years and she believed that with a new EM on board, she likely wouldn’t get time off anytime soon.

Here’s what I suggest:

1. Write daily and weekly checklists for required tasks.
   My lists look something like this… The housekeeper should complete the following:

   1. Before arriving at the property each morning (grocery and dry-cleaning pickups, check texts and emails…).

   2. Before noon each day (make beds, bathroom cleanup and laundry, dishes, inventory groceries for tomorrow’s shopping…).

   3. Before end of the day (dust, vacuum, put clothes away…).

   4. Before Friday afternoon (restock refrigerator, pantry, bar, paper goods; refresh flowers…)

2. Eliminate all non-essential cleaning tasks from their responsibilities.
   No more cleaning up after contractors and other staff members! Contractors should leave the property better than when they started their work — no excuses. Both employees and contractors should be under strict directive to use only one designated restroom and kitchen facility on the property (not the one that’s most convenient for them).

3. Make sure there are conveniently located ‘cleaning stations’ located throughout the house.
   Cleaning stations should include:

   1. Paper products (toilet paper, paper towels, tissues, soap, shampoos, etc.)

   2. Cleaning products and equipment (vacuums, rags, disinfectants).

   3. Back stock of personal and beauty products (extra deodorants, toothpaste/toothbrushes, over-the-counter meds, etc.). Clean towels and bedding.

4. Cross-train your staff.
   When the housekeeper needs immediate assistance (i.e. unexpected guests arrive at the property), everyone on your staff should know how to:

   1. Change bedding, make the beds and pick up dirty clothes.

   2. Disinfect a bathroom.

   3. Tidy up the kitchen.

5. Shadow the housekeeper for a day.
   Complete the tasks they complete and discuss any potential efficiencies that can be made.

6. Contract out tasks that require a ladder or heavy lifting.
   Hire licensed, insured professionals to complete tasks such as cleaning light fixtures, windows and draperies, and moving furniture, appliances or artwork. This will also lower your liability risk in case of physical injury or property damage.

Once these items are checked off your list, if the daily, weekly, monthly and seasonal cleaning tasks aren’t getting completed in a timely and proficient manner — or if the cost of contract-cleaning exceeds the cost to hire full-time staff (don’t forget to factor in salary, worker’s compensation, benefits, vacation, additional equipment and tech devices, etc.) — then it’s time to discuss adding a new full-time housekeeper.

Do you need a complete housekeeper’s check list? I sell them, along with many other housekeeping templates, here.

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