YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT DOMESTIC STAFFING, ANSWERED
Hiring Help Shouldn't Feel Like a Mystery
Bringing someone new into your home or business is a big decision, and it’s normal to have questions before you make it. Whether you’re ready to hire household staff or still figuring out what kind of support you need, here’s what families and businesses ask us most.
GETTING STARTED WITH OUR DOMESTIC PLACEMENT AGENCY
How the Process Works
How do I start working with Domestic Bliss Agency?
It starts with a conversation. We learn about your household or business, the role you’re trying to fill, and what success actually looks like. From there, we identify candidates whose experience and personality genuinely fit, rather than sending you a stack of resumes to sort through yourself.
How long does it typically take to find the right person?
It depends on the role and how specific your needs are. A straightforward placement can move faster, while a highly specialized or executive-level search takes more time to do right. We’ll give you a realistic timeline during your consultation rather than a generic promise, because rushing a placement is how bad fits happen.
Do you only work with families in certain cities?
No. We support private households and businesses with domestic placements across the nation, from NYC to Los Angeles. Many of our searches happen in major markets, but location doesn’t limit who we can help.
What if I'm not sure what kind of role I need?
That’s a common starting point. You may know your household or business feels stretched without knowing whether the answer is a house manager, a personal assistant, a nanny, or something else entirely. We’ll help you define the role before candidates ever enter the picture.
HOUSEHOLD & DOMESTIC STAFFING
Housekeepers, House Managers, and More
What household roles do you place?
We place housekeepers, house managers, estate managers, private chefs, personal assistants, executive assistants and other household professionals for private residences. For a full breakdown of these roles and how they differ, visit our Household Staffing page.
Can you help with live-in or live-out arrangements?
No. We only place live out candidates. The only exception to this is our ROTA nannies who live in during their shifts.
CHILDCARE STAFFING
Nannies and Family Assistants
Do you place nannies and family assistants?
Yes. Nanny placement and family assistant roles are some of the most personal searches we handle, since fit matters as much as experience. Our Childcare Staffing page covers the different roles and structures in more detail.
How is a nanny search different from other household placements?
It requires an extra layer of care. Beyond experience and reliability, we’re looking for someone whose temperament and approach genuinely match your children and your parenting style, not just their résumé. In certain markets this also is an extra layer of security with Trustline certification for childcare candidates.
SCREENING & SAFETY
How We Vet Every Candidate
How are candidates screened?
Every candidate goes through a face to face interview process and reference verification before we ever introduce them to a client. We’re looking for professionalism, reliability, and discretion, not just relevant experience. If the candidate is offered employment a full background panel is run at that time.
Is a background check enough to know someone is safe?
Not on its own. A background check can confirm someone doesn’t have a concerning record, but it can’t tell you whether they’ll be the right fit for your home, your family, or your working style. That’s why screening also includes real conversations with references and a genuine assessment of fit. We also welcome all of our clients to run any additional background checks they deem relevant in addition to the one we run.
What if I want to see the screening results myself?
We’re happy to walk you through our process and what each candidate’s screening included. Transparency is part of how we build trust with clients.
MONEY, CONTRACTS, AND WHAT TO EXPECT
Fees, Employment, and Paperwork
Is there an upfront cost or registration fee to work with you?
No. There’s no cost to sit down and talk with us about your search. Fees are only due once we begin the recruitment process and once a candidate has accepted your offer and successfully completed our background screening process, so you’re never paying for a placement that hasn’t actually happened yet.
Once someone is placed, am I their employer, or is Domestic Bliss Agency?
You are. Once a placement is made, your household professional becomes your direct employee, not ours. We’re here to help you find the right person and set the relationship up well, but the day-to-day employment relationship, including pay, schedule, and management, is between you and the professional you hire.
Can I do a trial period before fully committing to a hire?
Yes. Depending on the role and the candidate, we can often arrange a trial period so you can confirm the fit feels right in real life, not just on paper, before you commit long-term. We’ll talk through what makes sense for your specific search during your consultation.
Do you help draft the employment agreement or work contract?
Yes. Once you’ve selected the right person, we help you put the working relationship in writing, including schedule, responsibilities, and expectations, so both you and your new hire start on the same page. A clear agreement upfront is one of the best ways to protect a placement long-term. While the contracts and agreements are not legally binding they act as a draft or starting point to build from. Clients are always welcome to present their own contracts as well.
LEGAL & COMPLIANCE
Staying On the Right Side of Employment Law
Do you help with things like overtime rules or workers' comp, even though you don't handle payroll?
We don’t run payroll or workers’ comp directly, but we don’t leave you to figure it out alone either. We’re happy to walk you through what’s typically required when you become a household employer, from overtime rules to workers’ comp basics, and point you toward trusted partners who specialize in the details, so you can hire with confidence, not guesswork.
Is there anything I'm not legally allowed to ask a candidate during an interview?
Yes, and this is something we help clients navigate. Employment law limits what you can ask about a candidate’s background, including things like age, marital status, health, or family plans. We’ll flag anything relevant as you get closer to the interview stage, so you can focus on finding the right fit without accidentally putting yourself at risk.
COVERAGE & FLEXIBILITY
Temporary, Urgent, and Short-Term Needs
Can you place temporary or short-term staff, like for travel, medical leave, or event coverage?
Yes. Not every need is long-term. If you’re covering a staff member’s vacation or medical leave, need extra hands for an event, or want support while you’re traveling, we can help you find qualified, vetted professionals for shorter-term roles as well as permanent placements.
Can you help with an urgent or last-minute placement?
We understand that household needs don’t always come with advance notice. While a thoughtful search takes some time to do right, we’ll always work with the urgency of your situation and let you know honestly what’s realistic given your timeline and needs.
TRUST & DISCRETION
Privacy, Confidentiality, and Your Comfort
Will my personal or household information be kept confidential?
Absolutely. Discretion isn’t an add-on for us, it’s central to how we operate. We never share your information, your household’s details, or the specifics of your search without your permission. The same goes for how we handle sensitive information about candidates. Trust runs both directions, and we take it seriously.
Can I meet or interview candidates myself before making a final decision?
Yes, always. We do the work of narrowing the field to genuinely qualified, well-matched candidates, but the final decision is yours. You’ll have the opportunity to meet and interview any candidate before you commit to a hire.
INTERNATIONAL & RELOCATION
Candidates From Outside the U.S.
Do you place candidates who need visa sponsorship or relocation support?
This depends on the specific role and circumstances. If your search may involve a candidate who needs to relocate or requires work authorization support, let us know early in the process so we can talk through what’s realistic and how we can help.
WORKING WITH DOMESTIC BLISS AGENCY
Cost, Guarantees, and What to Expect
How much does it cost to work with Domestic Bliss Agency?
Every search is different, and cost depends on the role, the level of experience required, and the scope of the search. We’ll walk you through our fee structure clearly during your consultation, so there are no surprises later.
Do private hires cost less than going through an agency?
On paper, sometimes. But hiring privately means you’re the one posting the listing, screening applicants, verifying references, and taking on the risk if something doesn’t check out. Most families who come to us have already tried that route and decided their time and peace of mind were worth more than the savings.
What happens if we go through the process and the placement doesn't work out?
We stand behind every placement we make. If a match doesn’t work out the way you expected, we offer a 120-day (4-month) guarantee on all employee placements, so you’re never left starting over on your own. During that window, we’ll go back to work on your behalf and present up to 5 replacement candidates until we find the right fit.
Once we've found the right person, do you help manage things like nanny tax or payroll going forward?
We don’t currently handle payroll or nanny tax administration directly, but we’re happy to point you toward trusted partners who specialize in household payroll and tax compliance, so that piece is one less thing you have to figure out on your own. Our focus is on finding and placing the right person for your home, but we want to make sure you’re set up for a smooth experience from day one, even in the areas outside our scope.
FOR CANDIDATES
Looking for Work?
I'm a domestic professional looking for work. Is this the right page?
If you’re a candidate looking for placement opportunities, visit our Top-Tier Candidates page to learn how to join our network.
Let's Talk About What Your Household Needs
Every family and business is different, and some questions are easier to answer in a real conversation than in an FAQ. If you didn’t find what you were looking for here, reach out and we’ll walk you through it directly.
