A female butler in a morning coat opening the front door of a private residence to welcome an arriving client

Flow / THE BUTLER

How It Works

From inquiry to the day of service, in nine clear steps.

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01 From First Contact to the Day ItselfAbout

Nine Steps, Support at Every Stage

Using the All Japan Butler Association's butler service proceeds through nine steps, beginning with your inquiry. Experienced staff support each stage so first-time clients can proceed with confidence. The typical timeline ranges from a few days for a spot booking to one or two weeks for a long-term engagement.

A female butler candidate greeting a prospective client while an association coordinator holds the candidate folder

Confirm fit before you sign

At the heart of the nine steps is the principle of confirming fit before signing. Hearings, an online meeting, résumé review, and an interview each let you confirm the butler's character and skill before contracting.

See Step 3–5→

A client signing a confidentiality agreement as a morning-coated butler presents the document in a leather folder

An NDA signed early

An NDA is signed at an early stage, so you can speak candidly about your specific circumstances with confidence.

See Step 3→

A tuxedoed butler arranging white flowers beside folded guest towels and water in a residence lobby

A full range of ranked service

Beyond the basic ranks, guide, executive, and royal butler services are also available, all following the same nine-step process to contract.

View Pricing→

02 Steps 1–3Steps 1–3

1STEP

A morning-coated butler answering a client's first inquiry by telephone at an orderly reception desk

STEP 1 Inquiry

Your first inquiry

Contact us by phone or web form with your intended use and preferred date. Even a simple question about what a butler can do is welcome.

2STEP

A female butler taking notes as she hears a client's requirements in a fireside salon, the hearing step of the butler service

STEP 2 Hearing your requirements

Introductions and confirming your request

Our staff hears your detailed requirements — purpose, headcount, schedule, budget — and proposes the best plan and butler.

3STEP

A butler's hands preparing confirmation documents and a laptop on a desk for an online meeting

STEP 3 Online meeting

Confirming details and signing an NDA

An online meeting via Zoom or similar, with an NDA signed as needed, so you can sense the butler's manner before proceeding.

Steps 4–6 · Coordination & ContractSteps 4–6

4STEP

White-gloved hands sorting candidate butlers' résumés into a leather folder, the step where the association coordinates the right butler for you

STEP 4 Coordinating your butler

Sending candidate résumés

Based on the hearing, we select the most suitable butler, offering multiple candidates if you wish, each with résumé and work history for your review.

5STEP

A morning-coated butler bowing to greet a seated client as an interview begins, where you confirm fit before deciding on your butler

STEP 5 Interview and decision

Meeting candidates and deciding

An interview (online or in person) lets you feel the candidate's character before you decide on your dedicated butler.

6STEP

A white-gloved butler presenting an itemised quotation and contract, the step where pricing and terms are explained clearly before you sign

STEP 6 Quotation and contract drafting

Pricing quotation and contract drafting

We prepare a formal quotation and contract, explaining pricing and cancellation terms clearly at this stage.

Steps 7–9 · From Signing to ServiceSteps 7–9

7STEP

Hands exchanging signatures over a contract and a fountain pen on a desk, as a pledge of confidentiality

STEP 7 Signing the contract and NDA

Contract and NDA signed electronically

Once signed, the contract and NDA take effect. Electronic signatures are supported for a swift process.

8STEP

A butler brushing a tailcoat and setting out a silk hat and gloves, the advance preparation a dedicated butler makes before service begins

STEP 8 Butler preparation

Preparing for service to begin

Your butler makes advance preparations — venue checks, supplies, and logistics — with almost nothing required of you.

9STEP

A tailcoated butler presenting a silver tray as service begins in a chandelier-lit hall, the start of the butler service

STEP 9 Service begins, with ongoing support

Service begins with continued support

Your butler arrives at the appointed time and place, performing the requested duties with dignified conduct.

03 On the DayOn the Day

A morning-coated butler checking a pocket watch as he arrives at a residence porte-cochère, preparing for the day-of service flow

Until the day before

Your butler makes a final check of logistics and requirements.

30 minutes before

The butler arrives on site and checks appearance and equipment.

Start time

Service begins with dignified conduct, following the prior hearing.

During service

The butler responds flexibly to your situation throughout.

At the end

A brief report is given, with consultation for future bookings if desired.

From the next business day

Continuing clients receive brief follow-up as needed.

04 Payment & Cancellation NotesNotes

Payment

Invoice payment (billed monthly) is standard; spot bookings are generally prepaid.

Cancellation

Free up to 7 days before; 30% at 3–6 days, 50% the day before, 100% on the day.

Corporate contracts

Corporate clients are supported with invoice billing across multiple sites and staff.

Confidentiality

An NDA is signed at contract time, and each butler bears an individual duty of confidentiality.

Invoices & quotations

An invoice and receipt with itemized charges are issued after service.

06 Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ

QHow long from inquiry to the day of service?

Spot bookings can be arranged in as little as 2–3 days; long-term engagements typically take 1–2 weeks.

QCan I meet the butler beforehand?

Yes — Step 5 lets you meet your butler, online or in person, before deciding.

QCan I change plans midway?

Yes, including switching from a spot booking to a continuing plan.

QWhen is the NDA signed?

At Step 3, or at the latest by Step 7 when the contract is signed.

QCan I choose among multiple candidate butlers?

Yes — at Step 4 you may review résumés for multiple candidates before the Step 5 interview.

QCan you briefly explain the pricing structure?

Butler service is priced by rank, from a 3-hour booking to a live-in butler. See the pricing page for details.

Contact

Consult about this plan

Tell us your intended use, and our staff will guide you through the nine steps.