Also: Household Manager
What a House Manager does.
A COO for one home — vendors, staff, budget, and the house running without you in the room.
A family or individual whose single residence has grown past what one PA can hold.
What they own.
- Vendors, contractors, and service cadences
- Household staff coordination and schedules
- Budget, inventory, and reimbursement
- Events, entertaining, and the day-to-day standard
When you need one
- The house has real operational complexity
- You employ (or plan to employ) other staff
- You want the home to run whether or not you’re there
When you don’t
If it’s only your calendar and personal admin, a PA or EA is enough. If you have several properties and a full team, that’s an estate manager.
How to tell it apart
Questions.
- What does a house manager do?
- A house manager is a COO for one home — vendors, staff, budget, calendar, events — so the household runs without the principal in the room.
- How much does a house manager cost?
- Market ranges run about $85–221K/year (median ~$130K), higher in top-tier metros and for live-in roles.
- Do I need a house manager or a personal assistant?
- If a whole home needs operating, a house manager. If it’s personal admin for you, a PA.
Not sure this is the one you need?
Take the 2-minute finder — it’ll tell you honestly, and it might say you need a system, not a seat.