A house manager is a professional who oversees the daily operations, maintenance, and overall care of a private residence. Also known as a household manager or estate manager, this role has evolved from traditional domestic service into a sophisticated profession that combines project management, vendor coordination, and personalized concierge services to protect one of your most valuable assets—your home.

For busy professionals, executives, and families managing complex households, a house manager serves as the single point of contact for everything related to the home. From coordinating seasonal maintenance and supervising contractors to managing household budgets and preparing for events, house managers handle the intricate details that keep a residence running smoothly while freeing homeowners to focus on their careers, families, and passions.

The concept of professional household management has grown significantly in recent years, driven by increasingly demanding schedules and the recognition that proactive home care prevents costly repairs while protecting property values. According to the International Concierge and Lifestyle Management Association (ICLMA), demand for household management professionals has increased substantially as homeowners seek to optimize both their time and their real estate investments.

Whether you're managing a primary residence, a vacation home, or multiple properties, understanding what a house manager does—and how their services differ from other home service providers—can help you determine if this solution fits your lifestyle. For a comprehensive look at Boulder living, including the neighborhoods where house manager services are most in demand, see our Complete Guide to Living in Boulder.

House Manager Duties and Responsibilities

House manager duties and responsibilities encompass a wide range of tasks designed to ensure a home operates efficiently while maintaining or increasing its value. The specific scope varies based on the size of the residence, the homeowner's lifestyle, and whether the property is a primary residence, vacation home, or part of a larger estate.

At its core, a house manager's role is to serve as the homeowner's trusted representative for all matters related to the property. This means anticipating needs before they become problems, coordinating complex logistics across multiple service providers, and maintaining the detailed records that protect both the home's condition and the owner's interests.

Vendor Management and Coordination

One of the most valuable house manager duties involves managing relationships with the various professionals and service providers a home requires. This includes:

Researching and vetting contractors: House managers identify qualified, licensed, and insured professionals for everything from HVAC service to landscape design, verifying credentials through resources like the Better Business Bureau and state licensing boards.

Obtaining and comparing bids: For significant projects, house managers solicit multiple estimates, evaluate scope and pricing, and make recommendations based on value rather than simply lowest cost.

Scheduling and coordinating service visits: Managing the calendar for routine maintenance, repairs, and special projects—often coordinating multiple vendors to minimize disruption to the household.

Supervising work quality: Being present during service visits to ensure work meets standards, address questions, and document completed tasks.

Managing vendor relationships: Building long-term relationships with trusted providers who understand the home's specific needs and can respond quickly to urgent situations.

Household Staff Supervision

For homes with domestic staff, house manager responsibilities often include overseeing other employees. According to the Estate Managers Coalition, this supervisory role is one of the key distinctions between house managers and other household positions:

Hiring and training: Recruiting, interviewing, and onboarding household staff including housekeepers, gardeners, personal assistants, and other domestic employees.

Scheduling and task assignment: Creating work schedules, assigning daily responsibilities, and ensuring coverage during staff absences or vacations.

Performance management: Conducting reviews, providing feedback, and addressing performance issues in accordance with employment best practices.

Payroll coordination: Working with accountants or payroll services to ensure accurate, compliant compensation for household employees, including proper tax withholding per IRS household employer guidelines.

Budget and Expense Management

Financial oversight is a critical house manager responsibility, particularly for luxury homes where maintenance costs can be substantial:

Creating and managing household budgets: Developing annual maintenance budgets, tracking expenses against projections, and identifying opportunities for cost savings without compromising quality.

Invoice processing and payment: Reviewing invoices for accuracy, obtaining homeowner approval for expenditures, and ensuring timely payment to maintain vendor relationships.

Expense reporting: Providing regular financial reports that give homeowners visibility into where money is being spent and how costs compare to budget.

Capital improvement planning: Advising on major purchases and renovations, including timing recommendations based on market conditions and the home's long-term needs.

Home Maintenance Scheduling

Proactive maintenance is perhaps the most important function a house manager performs, as it directly impacts both the home's condition and its value. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) emphasizes that regular maintenance significantly extends the lifespan of home systems and components:

Creating maintenance calendars: Developing comprehensive schedules for seasonal maintenance, manufacturer-recommended service intervals, and inspection timelines.

Seasonal preparation: Coordinating winterization, spring cleaning, HVAC transitions, and other seasonal tasks that protect the home from weather-related damage. For Colorado-specific guidance, explore our resources on luxury home management in Boulder.

System monitoring: Keeping track of HVAC filters, water softener salt, smoke detector batteries, and other consumables that need regular attention.

Emergency response: Serving as the first point of contact for urgent issues like plumbing leaks, HVAC failures, or storm damage, coordinating rapid response from appropriate vendors.

Inventory and Supplies Management

House managers maintain detailed records and ensure the home is always properly stocked:

Home documentation: Maintaining organized records of warranties, appliance manuals, service history, renovation permits, and other important documents.

Asset inventory: Creating and updating inventories of home contents for insurance purposes, including photographs and valuations of significant items.

Supplies management: Ensuring adequate stock of cleaning supplies, light bulbs, HVAC filters, pool chemicals, and other household necessities.

Vendor and contact database: Maintaining current contact information for all service providers, emergency services, and utility companies.

Event Preparation and Coordination

When homeowners entertain, house managers often take the lead on preparation and logistics:

Pre-event preparation: Coordinating deep cleaning, landscape touch-ups, and any repairs needed before guests arrive.

Vendor coordination: Managing caterers, rental companies, florists, and other event vendors to ensure seamless execution.

Guest accommodations: Preparing guest rooms, ensuring linens are fresh, and stocking bathrooms and common areas appropriately.

Post-event restoration: Coordinating cleanup, returning rentals, and restoring the home to its normal state after events conclude.

Household Manager Services: What's Included

Household manager services vary significantly depending on the provider, the size and complexity of the home, and the homeowner's specific needs. Understanding what's typically included helps you evaluate options and determine the right level of service for your situation.

Core Household Manager Services

Most professional household manager services include these foundational elements:

Initial home assessment: A comprehensive evaluation of the property's current condition, systems, and maintenance needs. This typically includes documenting existing issues, identifying deferred maintenance, and creating a prioritized action plan.

Custom maintenance plan: A personalized schedule of preventive maintenance tasks based on the home's specific systems, age, and local climate conditions.

Dedicated point of contact: A single professional who knows your home, understands your preferences, and serves as your representative for all home-related matters.

Vendor network access: Connections to vetted, reliable service providers across all home maintenance and improvement categories.

Regular property inspections: Routine checks of the home's exterior and interior to identify issues before they become expensive problems.

Premium Household Manager Services

Luxury household manager services often include additional offerings tailored to high-end residences and demanding lifestyles. These premium services typically include:

Project management: Full oversight of renovation projects, additions, and major improvements, including architect and contractor coordination.

Absence monitoring: Regular property checks while homeowners travel, including mail collection, plant care, and security verification.

Seasonal opening and closing: Preparing vacation homes for use and securing them for the off-season, particularly important for properties in mountain communities.

Concierge services: Personal assistance with tasks like arranging travel, coordinating deliveries, or managing household errands.

Emergency response: 24/7 availability for urgent situations requiring immediate attention.

What Household Manager Services Don't Include

It's equally important to understand what house managers typically don't do, as this helps set appropriate expectations:

Direct cleaning or housekeeping: House managers coordinate cleaning services but don't typically perform housekeeping tasks themselves.

Hands-on maintenance work: While they may handle minor tasks, house managers primarily coordinate rather than perform skilled trades work.

Personal assistant duties: Unless specifically contracted, house managers focus on the property rather than personal tasks like scheduling appointments or managing calendars.

Real estate or rental management: House managers serve owner-occupied properties; rental property oversight falls under property management. For more on this distinction, see our guide on House Manager vs Property Manager differences.

What's the Difference Between a House Manager and a Property Management Company?

Understanding the distinction between house managers and property managers is essential when evaluating home management options. While both oversee properties, they serve fundamentally different purposes and clientele.

House managers develop high-quality relationships with homeowners and focus on protecting their investment while easing the challenges of home maintenance and everyday living. A house manager is someone a homeowner can reach out to directly to coordinate both small and large tasks—from repair requests to renovation advice to checking on the home during vacations.

According to the Domestic Estate Management Association, house managers typically serve one to three households, allowing for deep familiarity with each property's needs.

Property managers by comparison are typically not as hands-on, and they don't usually offer the personalized service that a house manager provides. Instead, they handle tenant relations, collect rent payments, enforce lease terms, and manage evictions. The National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM) defines their role as primarily focused on investment properties and landlord-tenant relationships.

Property managers tend to look after rentals and investor properties, whereas a house manager looks after private residences and the unique needs of their owners. The relationship is fundamentally different: property management is transactional and focused on rental income, while house management is relational and focused on the homeowner's lifestyle and property value.

How Does Hiring a House Manager Save a Homeowner Money?

Proactive and preventative home maintenance is one of the most effective ways to reduce the costs of homeownership while also protecting your investment for the long term.

Staying ahead of often overlooked home care needs and seasonal maintenance like exterior paint can greatly reduce the risk of more costly repairs such as water damage and rotting wood. The American Society of Home Inspectors estimates that proactive maintenance can save homeowners 1-4% of their home's value annually in avoided emergency repairs.

Keeping a keen eye on things like clogged gutters can prevent water from creeping into crevices and down walls. Dirty ductwork can drain money out of your pocket in the form of lost efficiency—according to the U.S. Department of Energy, homes can lose 20-30% of heating and cooling efficiency through poorly maintained HVAC systems.

These are just a few examples of costly repairs that can ultimately impact the return on investment for your property. Even small repairs add up, eroding funds otherwise intended for important life moments such as college education or retirement.

Additionally, house managers often secure better pricing from vendors due to their established relationships and volume of work they coordinate. A homeowner making a one-time call to a contractor has less negotiating power than a house manager who regularly brings business to trusted providers.

As your dedicated house manager, our concierge approach becomes your informed set of eyes, and everything we do centers around protecting your home and its value.

Top Benefits of a House Manager

1. Save Money. Working with a house manager is a proactive approach to home maintenance intended to save you money by preventing costly repairs due to neglect or oversight. The HomeAdvisor True Cost Guide shows that emergency repairs cost 2-3 times more than scheduled maintenance for the same issues.

2. Premium Home Care Tailored to What You Need. Your house manager will help identify the unique needs of you and your home across the short and long term. No two homes are identical, and a house manager creates customized care plans that address your property's specific requirements.

3. Work With Someone Who Truly Knows Your Home. Consult with a trusted partner and a single point of contact on everything you need related to your home's maintenance. Unlike calling different contractors for each issue, your house manager maintains institutional knowledge about your property.

4. Protect Your Investment. Your home is so much more than a place to live. It's a prime asset with complex needs that can be challenging to manage. Working with a dedicated house manager focuses your home maintenance plan into a centralized strategy that matches the high value of your investment. For homeowners in Boulder's luxury neighborhoods, this protection is especially valuable—learn more about Boulder's Best Neighborhoods and their unique maintenance needs.

5. Free Up Your Time. Home maintenance can take a tremendous amount of time, especially if you're not familiar with the task at hand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics American Time Use Survey, homeowners spend an average of 1.8 hours per day on household activities. Turn these critical responsibilities over to a house manager, and get back to doing what you enjoy most.

6. Access to Vetted Professional Networks. Finding reliable, qualified contractors is one of homeownership's biggest challenges. House managers maintain relationships with trusted vendors across every category, ensuring you get quality work at fair prices without the guesswork.

7. Peace of Mind When You're Away. Whether you're traveling for business or pleasure, knowing your home is being monitored by someone you trust eliminates the worry that comes with leaving property unattended.

Frequently Asked Questions About House Managers

What does a house manager do?

A house manager oversees all aspects of maintaining and operating a private residence. Their primary responsibilities include coordinating maintenance and repairs, managing relationships with vendors and contractors, supervising household staff (if applicable), creating and managing household budgets, scheduling seasonal maintenance, maintaining home inventories and documentation, and preparing the home for events or guests. The house manager serves as a single point of contact for homeowners, handling the complex logistics of property care so owners can focus on their careers, families, and personal interests. Think of them as the CEO of your home—they don't necessarily perform every task themselves, but they ensure everything gets done correctly and on time.

What is the difference between a house manager and a housekeeper?

A house manager and a housekeeper serve distinctly different roles in a household. A housekeeper performs hands-on cleaning and domestic tasks: vacuuming, dusting, laundry, dishwashing, making beds, and maintaining the cleanliness of the home. A house manager operates at a supervisory and administrative level, coordinating the work of housekeepers and other staff, managing vendor relationships, overseeing budgets, scheduling maintenance, and handling the business side of running a household. In many homes, the house manager actually hires, trains, and supervises the housekeeper. The key distinction is that housekeepers perform physical cleaning tasks, while house managers provide management, coordination, and oversight of all household operations. Some larger estates employ both, while smaller households may have a house manager who coordinates outside cleaning services rather than supervising in-house staff.

How much does a house manager cost?

House manager costs vary significantly based on location, the scope of services, and whether the position is full-time, part-time, or contracted through a service company. According to industry data from the International Concierge and Lifestyle Management Association and Salary.com, full-time house managers typically earn $60,000 to $150,000+ annually, with luxury estate managers in high-cost areas commanding $150,000 to $250,000 or more. For homeowners who don't need full-time support, home concierge services like Willow offer subscription-based household manager services starting at a few hundred dollars per month, with project coordination and vendor management billed separately. This model provides professional house management at a fraction of the cost of a full-time employee while still delivering the core benefits of dedicated property oversight. The right investment depends on your home's size, complexity, and your personal time constraints.

What are house manager duties and responsibilities?

House manager duties and responsibilities typically include: (1) Vendor management — researching, vetting, scheduling, and supervising contractors, service providers, and repair technicians; (2) Household staff supervision — hiring, training, scheduling, and managing housekeepers, gardeners, and other domestic employees; (3) Budget and expense management — creating household budgets, processing invoices, tracking expenses, and providing financial reports; (4) Home maintenance scheduling — developing maintenance calendars, coordinating seasonal tasks, monitoring home systems, and responding to emergencies; (5) Inventory management — maintaining documentation, managing supplies, and keeping asset inventories for insurance purposes; and (6) Event coordination — preparing the home for entertaining, coordinating with event vendors, and managing guest accommodations. The specific duties vary based on the household's needs, but the overarching responsibility is ensuring the home operates smoothly while protecting the owner's investment.

Want to Learn More About Working with a House Manager?

Rest easy knowing you'll always have someone familiar with your home assisting you in everything you need related to your home's care and maintenance.

At Willow, our service team centralizes your personal plan into our custom home concierge dashboard—a digital profile detailing the unique aspects of your home. Our service team uses this premium tool to organize and plan a schedule for all of your needs and requests, including everything from gutter cleaning to watering your plants while on vacation.

Beginning with a multi-point evaluation of your home, your dedicated house manager will identify and discuss any repair recommendations or requests, including seasonal maintenance. Then they compose a personal home maintenance plan to keep track of both short and long-term home maintenance tasks.

Contact Willow today to learn how our household manager services can protect your investment and give you back your time. Whether you own a home in Mapleton Hill, Newlands, or Boulder's other premier neighborhoods, we provide the personalized, professional care your property deserves.

A house manager is a professional who oversees the daily operations, maintenance, and overall care of a private residence. Also known as a household manager or estate manager, this role has evolved from traditional domestic service into a sophisticated profession that combines project management, vendor coordination, and personalized concierge services to protect one of your most valuable assets—your home.

For busy professionals, executives, and families managing complex households, a house manager serves as the single point of contact for everything related to the home. From coordinating seasonal maintenance and supervising contractors to managing household budgets and preparing for events, house managers handle the intricate details that keep a residence running smoothly while freeing homeowners to focus on their careers, families, and passions.

The concept of professional household management has grown significantly in recent years, driven by increasingly demanding schedules and the recognition that proactive home care prevents costly repairs while protecting property values. According to the International Concierge and Lifestyle Management Association (ICLMA), demand for household management professionals has increased substantially as homeowners seek to optimize both their time and their real estate investments.

Whether you're managing a primary residence, a vacation home, or multiple properties, understanding what a house manager does—and how their services differ from other home service providers—can help you determine if this solution fits your lifestyle. For a comprehensive look at Boulder living, including the neighborhoods where house manager services are most in demand, see our Complete Guide to Living in Boulder.

House Manager Duties and Responsibilities

House manager duties and responsibilities encompass a wide range of tasks designed to ensure a home operates efficiently while maintaining or increasing its value. The specific scope varies based on the size of the residence, the homeowner's lifestyle, and whether the property is a primary residence, vacation home, or part of a larger estate.

At its core, a house manager's role is to serve as the homeowner's trusted representative for all matters related to the property. This means anticipating needs before they become problems, coordinating complex logistics across multiple service providers, and maintaining the detailed records that protect both the home's condition and the owner's interests.

Vendor Management and Coordination

One of the most valuable house manager duties involves managing relationships with the various professionals and service providers a home requires. This includes:

Researching and vetting contractors: House managers identify qualified, licensed, and insured professionals for everything from HVAC service to landscape design, verifying credentials through resources like the Better Business Bureau and state licensing boards.

Obtaining and comparing bids: For significant projects, house managers solicit multiple estimates, evaluate scope and pricing, and make recommendations based on value rather than simply lowest cost.

Scheduling and coordinating service visits: Managing the calendar for routine maintenance, repairs, and special projects—often coordinating multiple vendors to minimize disruption to the household.

Supervising work quality: Being present during service visits to ensure work meets standards, address questions, and document completed tasks.

Managing vendor relationships: Building long-term relationships with trusted providers who understand the home's specific needs and can respond quickly to urgent situations.

Household Staff Supervision

For homes with domestic staff, house manager responsibilities often include overseeing other employees. According to the Estate Managers Coalition, this supervisory role is one of the key distinctions between house managers and other household positions:

Hiring and training: Recruiting, interviewing, and onboarding household staff including housekeepers, gardeners, personal assistants, and other domestic employees.

Scheduling and task assignment: Creating work schedules, assigning daily responsibilities, and ensuring coverage during staff absences or vacations.

Performance management: Conducting reviews, providing feedback, and addressing performance issues in accordance with employment best practices.

Payroll coordination: Working with accountants or payroll services to ensure accurate, compliant compensation for household employees, including proper tax withholding per IRS household employer guidelines.

Budget and Expense Management

Financial oversight is a critical house manager responsibility, particularly for luxury homes where maintenance costs can be substantial:

Creating and managing household budgets: Developing annual maintenance budgets, tracking expenses against projections, and identifying opportunities for cost savings without compromising quality.

Invoice processing and payment: Reviewing invoices for accuracy, obtaining homeowner approval for expenditures, and ensuring timely payment to maintain vendor relationships.

Expense reporting: Providing regular financial reports that give homeowners visibility into where money is being spent and how costs compare to budget.

Capital improvement planning: Advising on major purchases and renovations, including timing recommendations based on market conditions and the home's long-term needs.

Home Maintenance Scheduling

Proactive maintenance is perhaps the most important function a house manager performs, as it directly impacts both the home's condition and its value. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) emphasizes that regular maintenance significantly extends the lifespan of home systems and components:

Creating maintenance calendars: Developing comprehensive schedules for seasonal maintenance, manufacturer-recommended service intervals, and inspection timelines.

Seasonal preparation: Coordinating winterization, spring cleaning, HVAC transitions, and other seasonal tasks that protect the home from weather-related damage. For Colorado-specific guidance, explore our resources on luxury home management in Boulder.

System monitoring: Keeping track of HVAC filters, water softener salt, smoke detector batteries, and other consumables that need regular attention.

Emergency response: Serving as the first point of contact for urgent issues like plumbing leaks, HVAC failures, or storm damage, coordinating rapid response from appropriate vendors.

Inventory and Supplies Management

House managers maintain detailed records and ensure the home is always properly stocked:

Home documentation: Maintaining organized records of warranties, appliance manuals, service history, renovation permits, and other important documents.

Asset inventory: Creating and updating inventories of home contents for insurance purposes, including photographs and valuations of significant items.

Supplies management: Ensuring adequate stock of cleaning supplies, light bulbs, HVAC filters, pool chemicals, and other household necessities.

Vendor and contact database: Maintaining current contact information for all service providers, emergency services, and utility companies.

Event Preparation and Coordination

When homeowners entertain, house managers often take the lead on preparation and logistics:

Pre-event preparation: Coordinating deep cleaning, landscape touch-ups, and any repairs needed before guests arrive.

Vendor coordination: Managing caterers, rental companies, florists, and other event vendors to ensure seamless execution.

Guest accommodations: Preparing guest rooms, ensuring linens are fresh, and stocking bathrooms and common areas appropriately.

Post-event restoration: Coordinating cleanup, returning rentals, and restoring the home to its normal state after events conclude.

Household Manager Services: What's Included

Household manager services vary significantly depending on the provider, the size and complexity of the home, and the homeowner's specific needs. Understanding what's typically included helps you evaluate options and determine the right level of service for your situation.

Core Household Manager Services

Most professional household manager services include these foundational elements:

Initial home assessment: A comprehensive evaluation of the property's current condition, systems, and maintenance needs. This typically includes documenting existing issues, identifying deferred maintenance, and creating a prioritized action plan.

Custom maintenance plan: A personalized schedule of preventive maintenance tasks based on the home's specific systems, age, and local climate conditions.

Dedicated point of contact: A single professional who knows your home, understands your preferences, and serves as your representative for all home-related matters.

Vendor network access: Connections to vetted, reliable service providers across all home maintenance and improvement categories.

Regular property inspections: Routine checks of the home's exterior and interior to identify issues before they become expensive problems.

Premium Household Manager Services

Luxury household manager services often include additional offerings tailored to high-end residences and demanding lifestyles. These premium services typically include:

Project management: Full oversight of renovation projects, additions, and major improvements, including architect and contractor coordination.

Absence monitoring: Regular property checks while homeowners travel, including mail collection, plant care, and security verification.

Seasonal opening and closing: Preparing vacation homes for use and securing them for the off-season, particularly important for properties in mountain communities.

Concierge services: Personal assistance with tasks like arranging travel, coordinating deliveries, or managing household errands.

Emergency response: 24/7 availability for urgent situations requiring immediate attention.

What Household Manager Services Don't Include

It's equally important to understand what house managers typically don't do, as this helps set appropriate expectations:

Direct cleaning or housekeeping: House managers coordinate cleaning services but don't typically perform housekeeping tasks themselves.

Hands-on maintenance work: While they may handle minor tasks, house managers primarily coordinate rather than perform skilled trades work.

Personal assistant duties: Unless specifically contracted, house managers focus on the property rather than personal tasks like scheduling appointments or managing calendars.

Real estate or rental management: House managers serve owner-occupied properties; rental property oversight falls under property management. For more on this distinction, see our guide on House Manager vs Property Manager differences.

What's the Difference Between a House Manager and a Property Management Company?

Understanding the distinction between house managers and property managers is essential when evaluating home management options. While both oversee properties, they serve fundamentally different purposes and clientele.

House managers develop high-quality relationships with homeowners and focus on protecting their investment while easing the challenges of home maintenance and everyday living. A house manager is someone a homeowner can reach out to directly to coordinate both small and large tasks—from repair requests to renovation advice to checking on the home during vacations.

According to the Domestic Estate Management Association, house managers typically serve one to three households, allowing for deep familiarity with each property's needs.

Property managers by comparison are typically not as hands-on, and they don't usually offer the personalized service that a house manager provides. Instead, they handle tenant relations, collect rent payments, enforce lease terms, and manage evictions. The National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM) defines their role as primarily focused on investment properties and landlord-tenant relationships.

Property managers tend to look after rentals and investor properties, whereas a house manager looks after private residences and the unique needs of their owners. The relationship is fundamentally different: property management is transactional and focused on rental income, while house management is relational and focused on the homeowner's lifestyle and property value.

How Does Hiring a House Manager Save a Homeowner Money?

Proactive and preventative home maintenance is one of the most effective ways to reduce the costs of homeownership while also protecting your investment for the long term.

Staying ahead of often overlooked home care needs and seasonal maintenance like exterior paint can greatly reduce the risk of more costly repairs such as water damage and rotting wood. The American Society of Home Inspectors estimates that proactive maintenance can save homeowners 1-4% of their home's value annually in avoided emergency repairs.

Keeping a keen eye on things like clogged gutters can prevent water from creeping into crevices and down walls. Dirty ductwork can drain money out of your pocket in the form of lost efficiency—according to the U.S. Department of Energy, homes can lose 20-30% of heating and cooling efficiency through poorly maintained HVAC systems.

These are just a few examples of costly repairs that can ultimately impact the return on investment for your property. Even small repairs add up, eroding funds otherwise intended for important life moments such as college education or retirement.

Additionally, house managers often secure better pricing from vendors due to their established relationships and volume of work they coordinate. A homeowner making a one-time call to a contractor has less negotiating power than a house manager who regularly brings business to trusted providers.

As your dedicated house manager, our concierge approach becomes your informed set of eyes, and everything we do centers around protecting your home and its value.

Top Benefits of a House Manager

1. Save Money. Working with a house manager is a proactive approach to home maintenance intended to save you money by preventing costly repairs due to neglect or oversight. The HomeAdvisor True Cost Guide shows that emergency repairs cost 2-3 times more than scheduled maintenance for the same issues.

2. Premium Home Care Tailored to What You Need. Your house manager will help identify the unique needs of you and your home across the short and long term. No two homes are identical, and a house manager creates customized care plans that address your property's specific requirements.

3. Work With Someone Who Truly Knows Your Home. Consult with a trusted partner and a single point of contact on everything you need related to your home's maintenance. Unlike calling different contractors for each issue, your house manager maintains institutional knowledge about your property.

4. Protect Your Investment. Your home is so much more than a place to live. It's a prime asset with complex needs that can be challenging to manage. Working with a dedicated house manager focuses your home maintenance plan into a centralized strategy that matches the high value of your investment. For homeowners in Boulder's luxury neighborhoods, this protection is especially valuable—learn more about Boulder's Best Neighborhoods and their unique maintenance needs.

5. Free Up Your Time. Home maintenance can take a tremendous amount of time, especially if you're not familiar with the task at hand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics American Time Use Survey, homeowners spend an average of 1.8 hours per day on household activities. Turn these critical responsibilities over to a house manager, and get back to doing what you enjoy most.

6. Access to Vetted Professional Networks. Finding reliable, qualified contractors is one of homeownership's biggest challenges. House managers maintain relationships with trusted vendors across every category, ensuring you get quality work at fair prices without the guesswork.

7. Peace of Mind When You're Away. Whether you're traveling for business or pleasure, knowing your home is being monitored by someone you trust eliminates the worry that comes with leaving property unattended.

Frequently Asked Questions About House Managers

What does a house manager do?

A house manager oversees all aspects of maintaining and operating a private residence. Their primary responsibilities include coordinating maintenance and repairs, managing relationships with vendors and contractors, supervising household staff (if applicable), creating and managing household budgets, scheduling seasonal maintenance, maintaining home inventories and documentation, and preparing the home for events or guests. The house manager serves as a single point of contact for homeowners, handling the complex logistics of property care so owners can focus on their careers, families, and personal interests. Think of them as the CEO of your home—they don't necessarily perform every task themselves, but they ensure everything gets done correctly and on time.

What is the difference between a house manager and a housekeeper?

A house manager and a housekeeper serve distinctly different roles in a household. A housekeeper performs hands-on cleaning and domestic tasks: vacuuming, dusting, laundry, dishwashing, making beds, and maintaining the cleanliness of the home. A house manager operates at a supervisory and administrative level, coordinating the work of housekeepers and other staff, managing vendor relationships, overseeing budgets, scheduling maintenance, and handling the business side of running a household. In many homes, the house manager actually hires, trains, and supervises the housekeeper. The key distinction is that housekeepers perform physical cleaning tasks, while house managers provide management, coordination, and oversight of all household operations. Some larger estates employ both, while smaller households may have a house manager who coordinates outside cleaning services rather than supervising in-house staff.

How much does a house manager cost?

House manager costs vary significantly based on location, the scope of services, and whether the position is full-time, part-time, or contracted through a service company. According to industry data from the International Concierge and Lifestyle Management Association and Salary.com, full-time house managers typically earn $60,000 to $150,000+ annually, with luxury estate managers in high-cost areas commanding $150,000 to $250,000 or more. For homeowners who don't need full-time support, home concierge services like Willow offer subscription-based household manager services starting at a few hundred dollars per month, with project coordination and vendor management billed separately. This model provides professional house management at a fraction of the cost of a full-time employee while still delivering the core benefits of dedicated property oversight. The right investment depends on your home's size, complexity, and your personal time constraints.

What are house manager duties and responsibilities?

House manager duties and responsibilities typically include: (1) Vendor management — researching, vetting, scheduling, and supervising contractors, service providers, and repair technicians; (2) Household staff supervision — hiring, training, scheduling, and managing housekeepers, gardeners, and other domestic employees; (3) Budget and expense management — creating household budgets, processing invoices, tracking expenses, and providing financial reports; (4) Home maintenance scheduling — developing maintenance calendars, coordinating seasonal tasks, monitoring home systems, and responding to emergencies; (5) Inventory management — maintaining documentation, managing supplies, and keeping asset inventories for insurance purposes; and (6) Event coordination — preparing the home for entertaining, coordinating with event vendors, and managing guest accommodations. The specific duties vary based on the household's needs, but the overarching responsibility is ensuring the home operates smoothly while protecting the owner's investment.

Want to Learn More About Working with a House Manager?

Rest easy knowing you'll always have someone familiar with your home assisting you in everything you need related to your home's care and maintenance.

At Willow, our service team centralizes your personal plan into our custom home concierge dashboard—a digital profile detailing the unique aspects of your home. Our service team uses this premium tool to organize and plan a schedule for all of your needs and requests, including everything from gutter cleaning to watering your plants while on vacation.

Beginning with a multi-point evaluation of your home, your dedicated house manager will identify and discuss any repair recommendations or requests, including seasonal maintenance. Then they compose a personal home maintenance plan to keep track of both short and long-term home maintenance tasks.

Contact Willow today to learn how our household manager services can protect your investment and give you back your time. Whether you own a home in Mapleton Hill, Newlands, or Boulder's other premier neighborhoods, we provide the personalized, professional care your property deserves.