Couple/ Domestic Couple/ Estate Couple
A domestic couple can range from high end experience, where one or both is capable of managing multiple properties, to those who prefer, by nature or experience, to just clean and cook. Most couples are married with the traditional roles of the woman caring for the interior of the home and the man performing indoor/outdoor maintenance and grounds keeping and periodic chauffeuring. Many large estates are run by one domestic couple. A domestic couple is experienced with formal household functions and the operations of an estate. Light landscaping, gardening, and yard work, household maintenance, vehicle maintenance, general housekeeping, laundry, cooking, and estate management tasks. A domestic couple oversees outside contract labor. If household staff is limited, the domestic couple may also assume the duties of other staff positions.
In more formal or affluent settings, the domestic couple might also be called upon to perform serving functions during meals or social events. There is also the possibility of traveling between different households that the employing couple or individual may own, in completely different parts of the country (or even internationally).
Besides the technical skills required to perform as a domestic couple, the psychological aspects of the job need to be considered. The domestic couple normally resides in the home of another family, in a service capacity. This job is not for everyone. That being said, when there is a good fit between the employer and the domestic couple, this can be an extraordinarily satisfying arrangement lasting many years.
Because of the very close working dynamic of this field, it is important that both parties make sure that there is a good understanding of expectations on both parts. The duties, hours, compensation, etc. need to be very clearly outlined and understood by both sides prior to the commencement of employment. This will avert any misunderstandings after the fact.