It’s important to know all the charges that come with hiring a maid in Singapore. Most individuals know about the essential expenditures, including salary and agency fees, but there are also hidden costs that can surprise a lot of people. This article will help you prepare better for this home investment by breaking down the cost of hiring a maid in Singapore, including hidden costs for recurring and one-time maids.
1. Basic Costs Involved in Hiring a Maid in Singapore
When you employ a maid, you need to plan for a few basic fees. These are the basic costs that most people know about. They usually have:
Salary
The most evident maid cost to Singapore is her monthly pay. The pay for a domestic helper in Singapore can change based on things like where she comes from, how much experience she has, and how long she has worked. The average monthly pay is about S$600. The pay, on the other hand, might be as low as S$450 for a maid from Myanmar and as high as S$850 for a very experienced assistant from the Philippines. If you want to hire maids with greater experience, you should be ready to spend more than the average.
Foreign Worker Levy
The government in Singapore charges employers a monthly fee for hiring foreign workers. The first maid usually has to pay S$300 in this tax. But if your home meets certain criteria, such as having kids under 16, elderly members, or people with disabilities, the fee may go down to S$60.
You will have to pay S$450 for each additional maid you hire after the first one. Remember that if you don’t pay this tax on time, you will be fined, and the maid’s work permit will be canceled.
2. Hidden Costs of Hiring a Maid in Singapore
The pay and levy are the most well-known expenditures, but there are other costs that employers may not expect. Here are some hidden costs you might not know about when you hire a maid.
Service Charges by Maid Agencies
Most maid firms charge a fee to help you hire someone. Depending on the agency, the maid’s prices might be very different, ranging from S$100 to S$2,000. Many people would rather use an agency since it is easier and safer to hire a maid cheap with their help, even though you can hire a maid cheap by going the independent route. The agency usually takes care of the paperwork, medical screening, work licenses, and other important parts of the maid cost comparison when hiring a maid.
Insurance
You have to get insurance for your maid in Singapore. If you go via an agency, they usually pay for your insurance. But if you employ someone on your own, you’ll have to pay for it yourself. A two-year insurance policy costs between S$225 and S$330, and it covers your maid for medical crises, accidents, and other unexpected incidents.
Settling In Program
Employers must send first-time maids who work in Singapore to a Settling-In Programme as part of the maid contract renewal process. This training costs about S$75 and helps your maid get used to living in Singapore by giving them important knowledge about the laws, working circumstances, and cultural norms there. It’s vital to remember that this training is required for new domestic assistants, but not for those who are moving from another job.
3. One-Time Costs Associated with Hiring a Maid
Certain one-time expenditures come with hiring a cleaner, in addition to the monthly costs. Here are several expenditures that happen only once:
Applying for and getting a work permit
You must apply for a work permit in Singapore to legally hire a maid, which adds to the maid’s hidden costs. It costs S$35 to apply and S$70 to get the application. You will have to pay extra to renew your maid’s work visa if it runs out.
Airfare
If you hire a maid on your own, you will have to pay for her flight to Singapore. The price of a round-trip flight usually falls between S$300 and S$400, depending on where the maid lives.
Medical Examination
Before the maid comes to Singapore, she must get a medical exam to make sure she is healthy enough to work. A medical test usually costs S$30, and every two years you need to get another one. If your maid is going to be there for more than two years, she will also need to get tested for HIV and tuberculosis.
Security Bond
All domestic helpers must have a security bond of S$5,000. This bond protects you in case something goes wrong, such as the employer breaking the contract or the maid going missing. You can pay the bond in cash or with an insurance policy. This money will be returned after the maid’s contract is up and there are no problems.
4. Additional Costs Due to COVID-19
Because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, hiring a maid involves new rules and fees for companies. These costs are:
COVID-19 Tests
Your maid must take a COVID-19 test before coming to Singapore. The price of the test usually falls between S$125 and S$160, depending on the clinic and where it is located. Also, your maid may have to take more tests while she is in quarantine.
Stay-Home Notice (SHN) Accommodation
All new domestic assistants must stay at home for 14 days after they arrive. For the two weeks, the cost of an approved SHN accommodation facility ranges from S$1,300 to S$2,000. It is the employer’s job to find and pay for this housing.
Additional Insurance
Because of the pandemic, employers must buy their maids extra health insurance that covers costs associated with COVID-19. Singapore legislation says that this coverage must be at least S$10,000.
5. Other Potential Costs
In addition to the main and hidden expenditures listed above, here are some extra charges you should think about:
Telephone and Internet
A few employers give their maids a cell phone and pay for their calls. This isn’t required, but it’s something that a lot of people do. A phone bill usually costs between S$30 and S$50 a month.
Off-Day Compensation
One day off a week is required for domestic workers. But if you make them work on their day off, you have to pay them a full day’s salary. If you ask your maid to work on her days off, the fees might pile up over time.
6. Total Cost Breakdown: A Monthly Estimate
Let’s break down the costs of hiring a maid in Singapore every month to give you a better idea of what they are:
- Cost Range (SGD) for Expenses
- Maid pay: 450 to 850
- Foreign Worker Levy: 300; Insurance: 225–330
- 30 to 50 for phone and internet; off-day, pay
- Full-day Salary: 1,000 to 1,500 per month
7. Is Hiring a Maid Worth the Cost?
It is up to you whether or not to hire a maid, and it depends on what you need. A maid may make your life a lot easier, whether you need help with cleaning, taking care of the elderly, or looking after young children. But make sure to think over all the costs and decide if the convenience is worth the money for your family.
If you only require help a few times a week, you might want to think about other choices like hiring part-time help around the house, which could be cheaper.
8. How to Manage the Costs Effectively
If you want to hire a maid in Singapore, you need to make a big commitment and manage your money carefully. But there are some ways to keep costs down and make the procedure more reasonable in the long term. Here are some ways to keep your costs under control:
Consider a Part-Time Maid
If you don’t need a full-time maid or can’t afford one, you might want to think about employing a part-time maid instead. Part-time maids usually charge less, and you can choose how often you want them to come. This can assist in cutting down on costs like salaries and other regular costs like insurance and the foreign worker levy.
Look for Maid Agencies Offering Competitive Rates
Different maid agencies charge different amounts. It’s a good idea to look around and compare costs and services. Some organizations may charge less up front or include specific services, such as insurance, medical exams, or transportation, in their price. Also, if you have special needs, like a cleaner who speaks a certain language or has experience caring for people, look for specialized firms that may charge more but offer better services.
Evaluate the Cost-Benefit of Hiring a Maid
If the cost of hiring a maid is a big worry, think about whether it’s worth the money. If you only need a maid to do general cleaning, think about whether it might be cheaper to hire a cleaning service every week instead. If you need help with childcare or eldercare, think about whether a professional caregiver or a home-based healthcare provider could be a better fit. This is especially true if they offer more specialized help for the same price.
Take Advantage of Levy Concession Schemes
If your family meets the requirements for any of the government’s levy concession programs, such as having a young kid or an elderly person living with you, make sure to use all of these benefits. The decreased levy might cut your monthly costs by a lot and make it easier to hire a maid. Remember that you will need to apply for the concession, so make sure you meet the requirements and send in your application right away.
Avoid Unnecessary Off-Day Work
It could be tempting to have your maid work on her day off, but remember that you will have to pay her extra for this job. This can build up over time, so try not to do it too often unless you have to. If you need more help, you might want to hire someone to work part-time on those days instead.
Provide Basic Amenities and Limit Excessive Spending
Many companies offer extra benefits, such as mobile phones, extra dining costs, or paying for fun activities. It’s nice to offer these extras, but you should think about the long-term costs. You can save money by merely supplying the basics, like meals, hygiene, and basic recreational activities.
9. The Impact of Hiring a Maid on Your Family Dynamics
It’s important to know how hiring a maid will change the way your family works, especially if it’s your first time. Here are some things to think about when you bring a domestic assistant into your home:
Privacy Concerns
If you have a maid, you are sharing your house with an employee. Some families may find this to be a big change, especially when it comes to finding the right balance between personal privacy and professional boundaries. It’s really important to be explicit about privacy, work hours, and limits in order to make sure that everyone gets along.
Relationship with Your Maid
Having a maid in your house might become a regular part of your day. To make your home a peaceful place, you need to have a respectful and professional relationship with your maid. Clear instructions, open communication, and respect for each other can help you build a good working relationship. Keep in mind that they aren’t just workers; they often become like family.
Emotional Well-Being of the Maid
In Singapore, employers are legally expected to make sure that their domestic assistants have a safe and comfortable place to live. For your maid’s health, it’s important that she gets enough sleep, has access to the right resources, and has a solid support system. It’s important to keep the workplace positive and healthy because a dissatisfied maid can impact the whole house.
Support for Cultural Adjustment
If you hire a maid from another country, you should think about her cultural background and help her get used to living and working in Singapore. Helping her fit in with the local culture, giving her language help if she needs it, and giving her advice on local customs can make a big difference in how comfortable she is and how well she does her job.
10. Alternatives to Hiring a Maid
If hiring a maid seems too expensive or bringing another person into your home is too much to handle, there are other options you should think about. These choices can help take some of the work off your plate without the high costs of employing a full-time maid.
Professional Cleaning Services
If your main goal is to keep your home clean, hiring a professional cleaning service might be a good idea. You can engage a cleaning service to do regular cleaning activities once a week or once every two weeks. Most of the time, these services charge dependent on how big your home is and what kind of cleaning it needs. They don’t have to pay for salaries, taxes, or insurance, which makes them a better choice for many families.
Part-Time Domestic Helpers
If full-time maid services in Singapore are too expensive, you might want to think about employing a part-time assistant instead. People who work part-time can come over once or twice a week to help with cleaning, taking care of kids, or other tasks. This saves you a lot of money and lets you only pay for the services you need.
Family Support
Think about asking family members or close friends to help with household tasks or take care of someone. If you can, you might discover that sharing chores and duties with family members might help you keep your home clean or take care of someone without having to seek outside help.
Technological Solutions
Buying domestic technologies like robotic vacuum cleaners, dishwashers, and washing machines can make it much easier and faster to keep your home clean. These fixes can help you clean less often and get more done around the house, which will save you time and money.
Conclusion
There is more to hiring a maid in Singapore than just paying them a salary. There are a lot of charges that come up when you hire a maid, some of which are hidden and some of which happen again and again. This is especially true during the COVID-19 pandemic. When you invite a domestic assistant into your home, knowing all the expenditures ahead of time will help you better plan and handle your money.
