Hiring Part-Time Maid versus Full Time Maid

Should you hire a part-time or full-time maid?

With more and more people in Singapore getting busier with work, having someone reliable to help with their house chores or care for their children or elderly parents can provide a much-needed respite. That’s why there has been an increasing demand for maid services in Singapore over the years. But should you hire a live-in maid or part-time maid? Well, that depends on your needs. To help you decide which of the two is suited for you, we worked out the pros and cons of hiring a full-time and part-time maid.  

 

Essential Factors to Consider

Part-Time Maid

Full-Time Maids

Cleaning Frequency

  • One-time session
  • Once or twice a week
  • Fortnightly sessions
  • Monthly sessions
  • Works most days of the week or on demand

Job Scope

  • Basic house chores such as mopping and sweeping the floors, and wiping counter tops. Additional tasks such as cleaning of windows, washing the dishes, doing the laundry, and cleaning of appliances may require additional charges.
  • Tasks are up to the employer to assign as long as employers treat their maids fairly and with respect. 

Cost

Rates vary depending on the:

  • Size of the house
  • Number of cleaners
  • Cleaning sessions
  • Duration

Minimum rates:

  • Hourly: S$18-S$30/hour
  • Monthly (Assuming a 4-hour cleaning session per week): S$230-S$500/month
  • Minimum Monthly Salary: S$500 to S600 per month
  • Agency fees: S$100 to S$1000
  • Maid Levy: S$300 (1st FDW) to S$450 (Subsequent FDW)
  • Work Permit: S$70
  • Maid Insurance by MSIG: Approximately S$267 for a 26-month plan (inclusive of 7% GST)
  • Maid Loan: S$1,000 to S$3,000

Source(s)

  • Agency
  • Freelance helpers from online platforms and word-of-mouth
  • Agency
  • Hired directly from online platforms

Prices indicated above are for reference only.

Hiring Part-Time Maid

Since home based jobs are becoming popular these days, people tend to stay at their houses most days of the week. While they have the whole day to schedule their daily tasks, some house chores just can’t be done! If you’re trying to stay on a budget but you want to keep your house clean, part-time cleaning services might just be the right choice. If you do decide to hire a part-time helper, you can visit a maid agency and inquire about their maids. Here are the pros and cons of hiring a part-time helper:

Pros

1. Flexibility

No matter how much a domestic goddess you are, there could be instances when you need an extra pair of hands while cleaning your house. Hiring a part-time helper gives you the flexibility to engage the extra help only when you need it. Their cleaning service is perfect for that post-party clean-up! As part-time helpers are paid by the hour, do plan out their tasks accordingly to avoid paying extra!

2. Privacy

If you are like Leonardo DiCaprio or Sandra Bullock who value their privacy, your best option is to hire a part-time maid. Part-time maids do not live in your house and are only around during your scheduled cleaning appointments. Definitely a plus point for introverts too! 

Cons

1. Availability

As part-time maids work on a schedule and are not exclusively yours, there may be instances when they are unavailable to work for you. This could be a problem during the festive season when there is a higher demand for part-time maids. One way to avoid this is to plan ahead and book early so you can secure cleaning services in Singapore at your desired time. 

2. Familiarity

Unless you specifically request for the same maid or hire a part-time helper through your own contact, chances are that you might not be able to get the same person to clean your house. This means that you have to be at every cleaning appointment to brief the helper, especially if you have a specific set of requirements.

3. Inconsistency

If you engage a part-time maid from a cleaning company, you might not always get the same help at each appointment. Although cleaning companies would train their employees to a certain standard, each one of them would have their own strengths and weaknesses. As such, you may find one maid more suited for you than the other. 

Hiring Full Time Maids

If you need more help at home, especially in terms of looking after your elderly parents or kids while you are at work, hiring a live-in maid may be the best choice. Even so, hiring a maid has its set of pros and cons that every employer should consider.

Pros

1. Reliability

There is nothing better than to have someone you can rely on when you are at work or at your busiest. As full-time maids live with you and work for you for a period of time, you will be able to depend on her to help you out with your house chores or care for your elderly parents or children when you are out for work. 

2. Familiarity

Full-time maids will most likely be familiar with the daily household chores after a few weeks of living in your house. In most cases, they will work independently. Since they'll be staying with you and your family, you should build a good relationship with your maid so she can do her job correctly.

3. Wider Job Scope

Since full-time maids live in your house, they’ll be available whenever there is a need for a home cleaning service. Singapore has 255,000 domestic helpers, which makes it easier for employers to find the perfect maid for them. Full-time maids can do almost all the housework while you're away for work. That's why before hiring full-time maids, it's best to make sure that they are reliable, especially if there's no one supervising them.

Cons

1. Employer-Helper Issues

Since most full-time maids in Singapore are Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs), there may be some cultural differences that you should be mindful of. Some of these FDWs may also not be fluent in English which could pose some communication hurdles for you. It is always good to read about their culture before they start living with you and keep your instructions as simple as possible. When you take the effort to understand them, they will also be motivated to do their best for you.

2. Need to Provide Extra Room

As full-time maids will be living with you during the duration of their contract, it is important that you prepare a room for your live-in maid to keep her personal belongings and for her to rest after a day of hard work. Having to do household chores or look after your elderly parents or energetic kids daily can be very tiring and as such, we should look after her physical and mental well-being as much as possible. Do also check that your home insurance like MSIG Home Insurance also provides cover for your home contents and maid's personal belongings in the event of fires or burst pipes.

3. Higher Costs

Hiring a live-in maid in Singapore will definitely cost more than hiring a part-time maid as you will need to provide for their basic necessities, send them for mandatory six-monthly medical examinations, pay for their travel expenses including their return ticket when she goes on her vacation leave as well as having adequate maid insurance. As a responsible employer, you should be mindful of your maid’s welfare and having adequate maid insurance like MSIG’s MaidPlus can help ensure your maid gets the medical treatment she needs in the event of an accident or illness.

 

Hiring an extra pair of hands to help you around the house does provide you more convenience but it also comes with its own sets of responsibilities. As such, take your time to assess your needs and think about the pros and cons before you decide to hire a full-time or part-time maid in Singapore. If you decide to hire full-time maids, extend that convenience and peace of mind by getting adequate maid insurance like MSIG’s MaidPlus.   

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