What household payroll actually involves
When a family employs a housekeeper, estate manager, chef, driver, or groundskeeper directly, the household becomes the employer. That means regular pay cycles, correct classification, withholdings, quarterly and annual filings, wage statements, and records that hold up years later.
Most difficulties we are called in to resolve are not disputes. They are paperwork that quietly drifted — a household employee treated as a contractor, overtime that was never tracked, or filings handled inconsistently across two properties.
How we run it
- Onboarding. Documentation collected properly at the start, so the file is complete from day one.
- Pay cycles. Consistent schedules, clean wage statements, and hours recorded the way they should be.
- Withholdings and filings. Handled on the calendar they belong on, not reconstructed in April.
- Records. Organized, retained, and retrievable — for you, your accountant, or your family office.
- Multiple properties. Staff who move between residences, kept coherent under one arrangement.
Why families choose us over a payroll platform
A payroll platform gives you software. We give you a person who knows your household, your staff, and your rhythm — and who answers when something unusual comes up. The work is delivered on retainer, sized to the household, and always with discretion as the first requirement.
If your household employs a nanny, our nanny payroll page covers that specifically. Families in North County and coastal San Diego may prefer our Rancho Santa Fe and La Jolla pages.
Scope
EstateHR is not a law firm and does not provide employment law counsel. We do not sell or administer workers' compensation coverage. Benefits administration is available by separate agreement, and HR advisory support — including employee relations and conflict resolution — is available at the Private Estate tier only.