Most household conflict in working families is about division of labour rather than affection. Outsourcing the most-contested categories (cleaning, laundry, meal prep) often saves marriages by removing the friction without requiring either partner to do more. Cheaper than therapy.
What's worth outsourcing
Cleaning (£60-100/fortnight for most homes). Saves 4-8 hours and removes the constant 'whose turn is it' negotiation. Grocery delivery (£3-7 per order). Saves 1-2 hours/week. Meal kits 2-3 nights/week (£40-60). Removes 'what's for dinner' decision fatigue. Lawn care, ironing, deep cleaning twice yearly.
Where the maths almost always works
If both partners work and the household conflict around chores is significant, outsourcing is usually cheaper per hour than couples therapy. £400/month covers cleaning + grocery delivery + occasional meal kits. The energy and relationship benefit usually exceeds the cost.
If household labour is a source of resentment, the fix is rarely 'fairer division'. It's removing the work that's causing the resentment in the first place.