In Singapore, many families and individuals find themselves wondering how to hire a maid that suits their needs and lifestyle. The two main options available are hiring an in-house domestic maid or engaging a professional part-time maid service.
Both of these arrangements have their pros and cons, and the choice will ultimately depend on factors such as your budget, the level of flexibility you need, and your personal preferences regarding privacy and long-term commitments.
Kungfu Helper will help you find the answers to your questions, so you can make an informed decision for the cleanliness of your house.
In-House Domestic Maids
In hiring a maid in Singapore, an in-house maid, also known as a foreign or migrant domestic worker, is a common option for homeowners.
In-house maids are full-time employees who live with their employers and offer comprehensive services to support the whole household – from cleaning to child and elderly care.
Advantages of Hiring an In-House Domestic Maid
Here are some of the main advantages of employing an in-house domestic maid in Singapore.
Convenience & Flexibility
Having a live-in maid removes the burden related to household chores and childcare duties. The maid is there, on-call, to help with the tasks throughout the day.
Childcare Assistance
A live-in maid is a great help for families with small children. They can assist in childcare duties like feeding, bathing, and supervising play time, among others.
This setup is convenient for working couples or in dual-income households.
Elderly Care
Full-time maids also help care for elderly family members by attending to their daily needs, providing companionship, and alerting the family of any health concerns.
Housekeeping and Meal Preparation
They also take care of chores such as cleaning, laundry, ironing, grocery shopping, meal prep, and dishwashing, so the employer/s can focus on work and other priorities.
Security
Having a trustworthy live-in domestic helper prevents you from worrying about the house being left unattended, especially for those living in landed properties. There is also someone at home to receive package deliveries or keep an eye on your belongings.
More free time
You will have more time to bond with your family, pursue or resume your hobbies, and relax outside work hours.
Build Trust Through Familiarity
A full-time maid can become more than just a helping hand. In some cases, they become part of the family too as their constant presence allows a deeper level of familiarity and trust to develop over time. Everything they do comes with a personal touch tailored to your household.
Disadvantages of Hiring an In-House Domestic Maid
It is also important to consider the potential drawbacks of bringing in a foreign domestic worker.
Cost
Cost is one factor you should take into account when hiring a maid in Singapore. Aside from the maid’s salary, you must also pay the monthly maid levy to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
Other expenses include the security bond, medical insurance, security bond insurance, regular medical checkup fee and agency fees. There are also other costs like food, toiletries and medical costs to factor in.
Legal Requirements
The process of hiring a maid in Singapore involves quite a number of legal requirements. Employers must apply for a work permit through MOM, make sure that the domestic worker undergoes a medical examination, and provide the necessary insurance coverage.
Loss of Privacy
Residing with a maid in your house could make family members feel that they lost their privacy. Some may feel uncomfortable with a non-family member having access to their personal space and daily routines.
Adjustment & Communication
An adjustment period is needed for both the family and the maid. Clear communication and setting up guidelines are important in order to maintain a good working relationship, particularly if there are language or cultural differences.
Dependency
Family members, especially children, may become overly dependent on the maid for their daily needs, which may result in the neglect of parental duties and a lack of family bonding.
Management & Supervision
Employers are responsible for managing and supervising the work of their maids. This involves time, effort, and proper communication skills to make sure tasks are done to the desired standard and to address any issue that may occur.
Turnover and Disruption
When a maid’s contract ends or if they choose to leave, the family has to go through the hiring process again. This transition can be disruptive to the household routine and every member will need a period of readjustment.
Cultural Differences
Cultural differences can sometimes also be blamed for the misunderstandings between the maid and the employing family. The Settling In Programme, which is mandatory training for new foreign domestic workers, aims to help with this transition.
Professional Part-Time Maids
Part-time maid services in Singapore, on the other hand, offer a more flexible and affordable alternative to hiring a full-time, live-in domestic worker. These services provide you with trained cleaners who come to your home on a scheduled basis to perform specific household chores.
Advantages of Engaging Part Time Maids in Singapore
Here are some key points about part-time maid services in Singapore to consider in comparison to full-time domestic workers.
Flexibility
You can book a part-time maid according to your needs, whether it’s weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. Some services even offer one-time or ad hoc cleaning sessions.
Affordability
Part time maid services are generally more affordable than hiring a full-time maid, as you only pay for the hours or sessions you require. This can be a cost-effective solution for smaller households or those with less frequent cleaning needs.
Professionalism
Part-time maids are also trained and experience in cleaning and household maintenance. Many trusted maid agencies in Singapore provide part time maid services and make sure that their staff are reliable and trustworthy.
Convenience
With a part-time maid service, you don’t have to worry about the hiring process, paperwork, or other employer responsibilities that come with hiring a full-time maid. The agency handles all the administrative tasks and ensures the maids are properly screened and insured.
Customisable Services
Part-time maid services often offer a range of cleaning tasks such as sweeping, mopping, dusting, laundry, ironing, and even cooking or babysitting. You can customise the services to suit your household’s needs.
No Long-Term Commitment
Unlike hiring a full-time maid who usually works on a two-year contract, part-time maid services allow you to use the service for as long as you need it without any long-term commitment.
Maintaining Privacy
Some people prefer part-time maid services because it allows them to maintain their privacy and personal maid since the maid is not staying in their house all the time.
Limitations of Engaging Part Time Maids in Singapore
It is also important to note that part time maids may not be able to provide the same level of flexibility, convenience, or services a full-time, live-in maid can give. Here is the breakdown of its limitations.
Limited Flexibility
Part-time maids work on a fixed schedule, unlike live-in maids who are available to tend all day long. So this may not provide the same level of flexibility for households with unpredictable or changing needs.
Restricted Range of Services
Part-time maids primarily focus on cleaning tasks and may not offer the same range of services as a full-time maid, such as cooking, childcare, and eldercare support.
Lack of Familiarity
Since part-time maids do not live in your home, they may not be as familiar with your household’s preferences, routine, and the location of certain items. You might need extra time to orient them.
No Long-Term Relationship
Because part-time maids are not permanent members of your household, it can be harder to establish a long-term, trusting relationship with them than with a full-time maid who becomes more integrated into the family over time.
Less Control Over The Hiring Process
You have less control over the selection and screening because the agency handles this. It may be a concern for some homeowners who prefer a more personalised approach to hiring.
Situations Where Part-Time Maid Services Are Preferred
Here are situations or circumstances in which a part-time maid is more preferred than an in-house maid.
Singles
If you are living alone and at the same time a busy person, it may be challenging for you to juggle work and personal commitments. Part time maids are more convenient and cost-effective because homeowners that are single do not require full-time and round-the-clock assistance. This setup also works because they value their privacy and personal space.
Young Couples without Kids
They may so not require the full-time services of a live-in maid, same as single homeowners, because…
- They don’t have kids.
- They may have fewer household chores.
- They may also have less intensive cleaning requirements compared to families with children.
- And they also value their privacy and personal space as couples.
Elderly people who are still active but need cleaning assistance
As people age, so does the challenge of maintaining a home clean. Part-time maid services can be a great option for our elderly people who value their independence but can use some cleaning assistance. Part time maids ensure that their homes are well-kept.
Families with an In-House Domestic Maid
Even families with a full-time, live-in maid may benefit from part time maids in situations like the following.
- If the full-time maid falls ill and is unable to perform her duties, a part-time maid can temporarily help keep the household clean.
- During the full-time maid’s annual leave, a part-time maid can fill in to maintain the home’s cleanliness.
- When a full-time maid’s contract ends and the family is in the process of hiring a new one, part-time maid services can bridge the gap and provide the necessary cleaning support.
- During special occasions or when hosting large family gatherings, part-time maids can assist in preparing the home and help with cleaning tasks before and after the event.
- Part-time maid services are also useful during the annual spring cleaning period. They serve as an additional manpower to tackle deep cleaning tasks.
Conclusion
Now that you have a better understanding of the advantages and limitations of both in-house maids and part-time maid services, you can make a more informed decision about which option best fits your unique situation.
If you still have questions or need assistance on how to hire a maid in Singapore for your needs, feel free to reach out to us. We’re here to help you find the perfect cleaning solution for your home.
