Average cost for a live-in maid

[Millypede]

We have 2 small kids so have decided to hire a live-in maid when we move to Singapore.
Can someone please give me an indication of price for a live-in maid?

[sundaymorningstaple]

$1000/mo give or take $100. Her salary, Her insurance/bond amortised over 12 months, agency fees amortised, birthdays, Christmas or other bonus (speaking of christian/catholic in this case) or Hari Raya or other festival (depending on her religion). Vacation? every 2nd year? Oh, and the monthly FDW levy and additional groceries/medical. Usually if you pay the recommended wages (on the low side, sadly) you can get by all in for around 1 G /mo.

[Beeroclock]

$1000/mo give or take $100. Her salary, Her insurance/bond amortised over 12 months, agency fees amortised, birthdays, Christmas or other bonus (speaking of christian/catholic in this case) or Hari Raya or other festival (depending on her religion). Vacation? every 2nd year? Oh, and the monthly FDW levy and additional groceries/medical. Usually if you pay the recommended wages (on the low side, sadly) you can get by all in for around 1 G /mo.

agree, typical salary 550 plus maid levy around 270 is the predominant cost, plus all the rest $1 to 1.1k is a good budget number to use.

[Millypede]

Thanks a lot, this was very helpful!

I think there is someone who will be finding a maid for us, but I'm told that they will ask what our preferences are in terms of the nationality and religion of this person? I don't suppose it matters, but thought I would just check if anyone had some insight on this.....?

It's all a bit confusing

[Beeroclock]

Thanks a lot, this was very helpful!

I think there is someone who will be finding a maid for us, but I'm told that they will ask what our preferences are in terms of the nationality and religion of this person? I don't suppose it matters, but thought I would just check if anyone had some insight on this.....?

It's all a bit confusing

yes it can be very different to what you might be used to. In Australia it will be considered racist to request a maid from particular nationality, but here it is common. Often it can often be down to a different underlying reason, eg some might say I want a Filipino maid because they speak the best English. So in effect it is a language criteria rather than race.

While it's good having help to find a maid I would take a very active role in the process as you need to feel comfortable with this person living in your place and potentially caring for your kids....

[PNGMK]

Thanks a lot, this was very helpful!

I think there is someone who will be finding a maid for us, but I'm told that they will ask what our preferences are in terms of the nationality and religion of this person? I don't suppose it matters, but thought I would just check if anyone had some insight on this.....?

It's all a bit confusing

As above... nationality (tends to) drive education level and english capability. The cheapest maids to hire have the lowest level of education (not skills necessarily but often the same as they have no experience living in a modern city) and they also have very poor spoken English.

[Hannieroo]

The only issues with religion are if you yourself are very religious, you may prefer somebody who reflects that and if you eat a lot of pork you expect a maid to handle or have a dog then not every Moslem lady can accommodate that.

You have to choose yourself. An agency works for both sides, ultimately working for themselves, so you do need to interview.

Also, factor in the cost of accommodation. Apart from my personal thoughts about the size of room you really need your lady to be sleeping within earshot of the children if you expect to go out at night. Our room is outside and I wouldn't like my 6 year old trailing out there or being unwell and not being heard.

[ecureilx]

yes it can be very different to what you might be used to. In Australia it will be considered racist to request a maid from particular nationality, but here it is common. Often it can often be down to a different underlying reason, eg some might say I want a Filipino maid because they speak the best English. So in effect it is a language criteria rather than race.

While it's good having help to find a maid I would take a very active role in the process as you need to feel comfortable with this person living in your place and potentially caring for your kids....

Filipinos eat pork, Indonesia maids don't.

and when their Muslim boss is out of town some Filipino maid cook bacon, babi ...

if i am a Muslim family which would I prefer? for example

[Beeroclock]

yes it can be very different to what you might be used to. In Australia it will be considered racist to request a maid from particular nationality, but here it is common. Often it can often be down to a different underlying reason, eg some might say I want a Filipino maid because they speak the best English. So in effect it is a language criteria rather than race.

While it's good having help to find a maid I would take a very active role in the process as you need to feel comfortable with this person living in your place and potentially caring for your kids....

Filipinos eat pork, Indonesia maids don't.

and when their Muslim boss is out of town some Filipino maid cook bacon, babi ...

if i am a Muslim family which would I prefer? for example

Yup I agree... I'm also just trying to explain to OP who is from Australia, as over there if you go and say I want/prefer a maid from a specific country it is considered racist and perhaps even illegal under employment laws etc. But there are these practical/language considerations, which are often underlying the race/religion preference.

[movingtospore]

It can also be helpful to find one who has worked for a "western" family before. Sometimes you get lucky and find one who transfering as their employer is leaving - and you can check the references directly. Wouldn't trust the agencies on that count.

[Beeroclock]

It can also be helpful to find one who has worked for a "western" family before. Sometimes you get lucky and find one who transfering as their employer is leaving - and you can check the references directly. Wouldn't trust the agencies on that count.

agree, we opt for "transfer" maids directly without any agent. Much better for the maid they actually get to keep the first 2-3 months salary!!! The MOM process and paperwork is quite painless too, so I really favour the DIY approach although it may be a bit of a stretch for a new arrival in SG.

[brian_singapore]

The levy is discounted if you have small children (can't remember the cut-off age). Our levy is $174/month.

You can also have up to 2 FDWs if you have 2 children under the age of 16.

We were quoted $500-$700 / month by the agency we used for a Filipina helper depending on experience.

We ended up at the top end of the range as we were looking for a transfer maid with experience with an expat / western family and someone who had above average education who would be able to help our kids with school work and learning to read / write etc.

[PNGMK]

The levy is discounted if you have small children (can't remember the cut-off age). Our levy is $174/month.

You can also have up to 2 FDWs if you have 2 children under the age of 16.

We were quoted $500-$700 / month by the agency we used for a Filipina helper depending on experience.

We ended up at the top end of the range as we were looking for a transfer maid with experience with an expat / western family and someone who had above average education who would be able to help our kids with school work and learning to read / write etc.

Levy cut off age is 12 but should be 21 IMO.

[Beeroclock]

The levy is discounted if you have small children (can't remember the cut-off age). Our levy is $174/month.

You can also have up to 2 FDWs if you have 2 children under the age of 16.

We were quoted $500-$700 / month by the agency we used for a Filipina helper depending on experience.

We ended up at the top end of the range as we were looking for a transfer maid with experience with an expat / western family and someone who had above average education who would be able to help our kids with school work and learning to read / write etc.

Levy cut off age is 12 but should be 21 IMO.

the child needs to be a Singapore citizen to get this levy concession, right?

[PNGMK]

The levy is discounted if you have small children (can't remember the cut-off age). Our levy is $174/month.

You can also have up to 2 FDWs if you have 2 children under the age of 16.

We were quoted $500-$700 / month by the agency we used for a Filipina helper depending on experience.

We ended up at the top end of the range as we were looking for a transfer maid with experience with an expat / western family and someone who had above average education who would be able to help our kids with school work and learning to read / write etc.

Levy cut off age is 12 but should be 21 IMO.

the child needs to be a Singapore citizen to get this levy concession, right?

Errr - yeah I think or maybe PR. Both my pikininnis are SC so it didn't matter to me.