The Complete Domestic Staffing Checklist Every Employer Needs in 2026

A Luxury Estate Hiring Guide for Florida & Nationwide 

Hiring domestic staff in 2026 requires a strategic, professional approach — especially in Florida’s ultra-high-net-worth communities. 

Whether you are staffing a waterfront estate in Palm Beach, a private residence on Jupiter Island, a luxury property in Boca Raton, or a multi-residence portfolio in Miami and New York, this comprehensive domestic staffing checklist will help you hire with confidence. 

From housekeepers and housemen to Chief of Staff and Director of Residence roles, today’s luxury households require precision, discretion, and leadership. 

Step 1: Define Your Household Structure 

Before beginning your search, clearly outline the structure of your estate. 

Luxury households often include: 

Core Household Roles 

• Housekeeper 

• Houseman 

• Groundskeeper 

• House Manager 

• Estate Manager 

• Director of Residence 

• Chief of Staff 

• Executive Assistant (Private Household) 

• ROTA Nanny 

• Live-In or Live-Out Nanny 

Leadership-Level Estate Roles 

Chief of Staff 
Oversees multi-property operations, manages senior household staff, coordinates family office communication, handles budgets and strategic oversight. 

Director of Residence 
Manages the day-to-day function of one primary estate, supervises staff, ensures service standards, oversees vendors and events. 

House Manager 
Directs daily household flow, supervises housekeepers and housemen, handles scheduling, maintenance coordination, and service delivery. 

Clear reporting lines prevent confusion and protect household efficiency. 

Step 2: Identify Your Location & Market Expectations 

Florida’s luxury staffing market varies by region. Compensation and experience expectations differ between cities. 

Palm Beach County Ultra-Luxury Areas 

• Palm Beach 

• Jupiter 

• Jupiter Island 

• Palm Beach Gardens 

• Hobe Sound 

• Boca Raton 

• Wellington (Equestrian Estates) 

• Manalapan 

Naples & Southwest Florida 

• Naples 

• Port Royal 

• Aqualane Shores 

• Fort Myers 

Central Florida Luxury Markets 

• Orlando 

• Winter Park 

• Windermere 

• Lake Nona 

• Dr. Phillips 

• Belle Isle 

• Ocala (Equestrian Estates) 

Miami & Ultra-High-Net-Worth Areas 

• Miami Beach 

• Fisher Island 

• Star Island 

• Indian Creek (Billionaire Bunker) 

• Coral Gables (Gables Estates) 

• Key Biscayne 

• Pinecrest 

• Coconut Grove 

• Bal Harbour 

• Surfside 

• Sunny Isles Beach 

• Golden Beach 

These markets demand highly experienced, discreet professionals accustomed to working in high-profile environments. 

Step 3: Understand 2026 Salary Expectations 

Competitive compensation is critical in South Florida’s luxury markets. 

Estimated 2026 ranges: 

• Housekeeper: $38–$50/hr 

• Houseman: $35–$50/hr 

• Groundskeeper: $75K–$90K 

• House Manager: $100K–$150K 

• Executive Assistant (Private Household): $100K–$160K 

• Estate Manager: $150K–$300K+ 

• Director of Residence: $200K–$350K+ 

• Chief of Staff (Private Estate/Family Office): $200K–$350K+ 

• ROTA Nanny: $120K–$160K+ 

Ultra-high-net-worth markets like Palm Beach, Jupiter Island, Fisher Island, and Indian Creek often command premium compensation due to discretion and complexity. 

Step 4: Decide Whether to Work With a Domestic Staffing Agency 

Luxury families in Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Miami, Naples, and Jupiter Island often rely on professional domestic staffing agencies to ensure confidentiality and quality. 

Benefits include: 

• Confidential candidate sourcing 

• Extensive background screening 

• Verified long-term references 

• Access to passive, high-caliber professionals 

• Replacement guarantees 

• Salary benchmarking for ultra-luxury markets 

Step 5: Conduct Executive-Level Interviews 

For leadership roles such as Estate Manager, House Manager, Director of Residence, or Chief of Staff: 

Evaluate: 

• Experience managing large estate teams 

• Budget oversight capability 

• Vendor contract negotiation 

• Multi-property logistics 

• Security awareness 

• Emotional intelligence and discretion 

For ROTA nannies and executive assistants: 

• Rotation flexibility 

• Travel readiness 

• Crisis management 

• Schedule adaptability 

In ultra-high-profile communities like Palm Beach and Indian Creek, discretion is non-negotiable. 

Step 6: Complete Comprehensive Background & Compliance Checks 

Your checklist should include: 

• National criminal background screening 

• Driving record verification 

• Employment confirmation 

• Professional references 

• NDA readiness 

Domestic employees are typically W-2 employees under federal law. 

For compliance guidance, review: 

• IRS Household Employer Tax Guide: https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc756 

• U.S. Department of Labor Wage & Hour Division: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd 

Ensuring proper payroll and overtime compliance protects your household long term. 

Step 7: Draft Detailed Employment Agreements 

Every role should include: 

• Clear job description 

• Reporting structure 

• Compensation details 

• Overtime terms 

• Rotation schedule (if applicable) 

• Confidentiality clauses 

• Termination provisions 

Executive-level positions should also include performance benchmarks and bonus structures. 

Step 8: Establish Professional Onboarding & Leadership 

Large estates in Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter Island, Coral Gables, and Naples often require structured onboarding. 

Include: 

• Household manuals 

• Emergency procedures 

• Vendor contacts 

• Security protocols 

• Service standards 

• Communication hierarchy 

Clear leadership prevents internal friction and turnover. 

Step 9: Ensure Legal & Payroll Compliance 

Domestic employees in Florida are typically W-2 employees. 

Ensure compliance with: 

• Household payroll tax laws 

• Overtime regulations 

• Workers’ compensation insurance 

• Proper employment classification 

For executive roles, consult legal counsel regarding contract structure. 

Step 10: Focus on Long-Term Retention 

The most successful luxury estates in Palm Beach, Miami, Jupiter Island, and Naples maintain staff for years. 

Retention strategies: 

• Competitive annual reviews 

• Performance bonuses 

• Respectful leadership culture 

• Clear communication 

• Defined growth paths 

Professional estate staff seek stability, structure, and professionalism. 

Domestic Staffing Services in Florida & Nationwide 

Lorraine Lee Estate Staffing proudly serves: 

Palm Beach | Jupiter | Jupiter Island | Palm Beach Gardens | Hobe Sound | Boca Raton | Miami | Fisher Island | Star Island | Indian Creek | Coral Gables | Key Biscayne | Pinecrest | Coconut Grove | Bal Harbour | Surfside | Sunny Isles | Golden Beach | Naples | Fort Myers | Ocala | Orlando | Winter Park | Windermere | Lake Nona | Dr. Phillips | Belle Isle 

We also assist family offices and private estates in Colorado, Nevada, Pennsylvania, New York, California, and Texas. 

Why This Checklist Matters in 2026 

Luxury domestic staffing is no longer informal hiring — it is executive-level recruitment. 

Following a professional domestic staffing checklist helps you: 

✔ Protect privacy and security 
✔ Attract top-tier leadership talent 
✔ Reduce risk and turnover 
✔ Ensure seamless estate operations 
✔ Maintain discretion in ultra-high-net-worth communities 

In 2026, elite households require elite staffing solutions.