{"id":2942,"date":"2023-09-14T12:02:23","date_gmt":"2023-09-14T03:02:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/glutenfreepleasure.com\/__proxy_domain\/www.helpling.com.sg\/?p=2942"},"modified":"2026-06-17T23:42:17","modified_gmt":"2026-06-17T14:42:17","slug":"things-to-look-out-for-when-hiring-a-maid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/glutenfreepleasure.com\/__proxy_domain\/www.helpling.com.sg\/things-to-look-out-for-when-hiring-a-maid","title":{"rendered":"Things to Look Out for When Hiring a Maid: A Complete Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

Have you ever come home to a dirty house after a long day of work and commute? Dirty dishes sitting in the sink, smudges on windows and food splattered all over the microwave. You can\u2019t even enjoy watching TV in the living room\u2014your children\u2019s toys are everywhere, taking territory almost by force.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And with only a few hours left before you tuck yourself into bed, keeping up with the housework late at night feels impossible. You\u2019d rather get some rest, right?<\/span><\/p>\n

When you\u2019re waist-deep in responsibilities, your list of household chores keeps getting longer by the minute. This is why a lot of families in Singapore consider hiring a domestic worker or <\/span>cleaning services<\/span><\/a> to lighten the load. For most homeowners, this can be a lifesaver.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, if this is your first time, it can feel a bit overwhelming. You have to know the laws, cultural nuances and the total cost that comes with hiring a maid. Where do you even start? How can you make sure you\u2019re hiring the right domestic helper that matches your needs?<\/span><\/p>\n

To get started, let\u2019s discuss the things to look out for when hiring a maid, red flags to avoid and how to do an interview. Read on to learn more!<\/span><\/p>\n

Things To Look Out For When Hiring a Maid: Tips to Consider<\/span><\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Things<\/p>\n

We understand that you might be on the fence about maids. You\u2019ve heard it everywhere: on the radio, in the newspaper, in the evening news and on your social media feed. There have been reports of strained relationships between domestic helpers and homeowners, which may raise concerns on your end.<\/span><\/p>\n

These horror stories happen, but <\/span>they don\u2019t<\/b> have to happen to you<\/b>. There are many successful maid stories and well-established relationships that often go unheard.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Before allowing a stranger into your home who will look after your children and property, here are the things you to look out for when hiring a maid:<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn What Fully Bonded and Insured Means<\/span><\/h3>\n

When you search for <\/span>cleaning services<\/span><\/a> online to find a maid, you might see the phrase \u2018fully bonded and insured\u2019. But what does it mean? How can this phrase help you make an informed decision when hiring an extra pair of hands?<\/span><\/p>\n

What Bonded Means<\/span><\/h4>\n

If a <\/span>home cleaning<\/span> service or an independent cleaner fails to fulfil its contract, doesn\u2019t complete the promised tasks or gets involved in theft within your home, having a bond gives you the right to collect money. You get the privilege to file a claim against the service you hired.<\/span><\/p>\n

The bond company retains the money secured from the cleaning company and will investigate to determine whether you\u2019re entitled to compensation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But if you happen to hire a maid who\u2019s not bonded, you don\u2019t have a claims process to address issues that might happen. They can even ignore your refund request or pay for stolen items.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Insured Means<\/span><\/h4>\n

Hiring an insured maid gives you an additional layer of financial security. It covers damages, health issues and injuries that may happen during house cleaning. For instance, if the maid falls on your property and sustains an injury, neither of you has to pay out of pocket. The insurance will cover the medical expenses.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you hire someone without insurance, the responsibility falls squarely on your shoulders. You will be held liable, paying for any lost wages of the injured party.<\/span><\/p>\n

That\u2019s why we highly recommend that you ask your maid applicants if they\u2019re bonded and insured. Usually, independent cleaners who aren\u2019t will offer you a cheaper service fee. While this might sound ideal for your budget, you will have to deal with anything that goes wrong on the job on your own.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This means that you will pay a much higher price in the long run.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Your Budget<\/span><\/h3>\n

Before you hire a full-time or <\/span>part-time maid<\/span><\/a>, you have to know the costs involved\u2014from living expenses to taxes and salary scales. The <\/span>pricing and services<\/span><\/a> will vary, depending on whether you engage with a <\/span>maid agency<\/span><\/a> or hire a domestic worker from overseas.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s discuss the factors in detail:<\/span><\/p>\n

Salary Range<\/span><\/h4>\n

If you opt to hire a domestic worker from overseas, the maid\u2019s salary will depend on their nationality. Here\u2019s a <\/span>market rate for helpers\u2019 salaries<\/span><\/a> depending on their country of origin according to The Smart Local:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Country of Origin<\/b><\/td>\nMinimum Wage Established by the Embassy<\/b><\/td>\nAverage Monthly Salary<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Philippines<\/span><\/td>\nS$570<\/span><\/td>\nS$592<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Indonesia<\/span><\/td>\nS$550<\/span><\/td>\nS$558<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sri Lanka<\/span><\/td>\nS$497<\/span><\/td>\nS$513<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Myanmar<\/span><\/td>\nS$450<\/span><\/td>\nS$464<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n


\n<\/span>If you choose a <\/span>maid agency in Singapore<\/span><\/a>, you\u2019re essentially paying for their extensive network and expertise. Keep in mind that they\u2019re likely pricey since they include a wide range of services like screening helpers, matching you with the right maid who meets your needs and work permit application fees.<\/span><\/p>\n

They also cover costs like insurance, airfare and accommodation.<\/span><\/p>\n

But what makes maid agencies convenient is that they can help you make the right choice, especially if it\u2019s your first time hiring a domestic worker. The rate, however, typically falls within the range of S$1,000 to S$3,000.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If this pricing is out of your budget, you can try direct hiring instead. You may recruit a maid through referrals or matching platforms with lower fees compared to traditional maid companies.<\/span><\/p>\n

Living Expenses<\/span><\/h4>\n

Hiring a maid means you\u2019re responsible for their living expenses. You\u2019ll add one more adult to your household, increasing your overall utility costs in the process. As their employer, you\u2019re also obliged to allocate a vacant room for them to give them enough privacy and space.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Moreover, make sure that your domestic helper is provided with meals of the same standard as the rest of your household. The budget you set aside for what they eat should be similar to what you spend on each person living in your home.<\/span><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t forget to factor in expenses for public transportation and mobile phone credits. This is especially important if you expect them to do grocery shopping and fetch your children to and from school.<\/span><\/p>\n

FDW Levy Concessions<\/span><\/h4>\n

Aside from your helper\u2019s salary and living expenses, you should also pay a monthly <\/span>maid levy to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM)<\/span><\/a>. As of writing, the maid levy in Singapore is S$300 per month for the first migrant helper. For subsequent helpers, the monthly rate is S$450.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you qualify for a concessionary levy, the rate will be reduced to S$60. This will only apply to you if you live with:<\/span><\/p>\n