best way to get an awesome Helper

[Shagwah]

Hi there. Just wondering which is the best way to get a helper? A friend already in Singapore said not to bother using an agency and get one from a family that is leaving Singapore.

If you suggest an agency, which one?

Thanks
S

[Shagwah]

And which Health Insurance do you take out for your Helper?

[bdsfx]

You're not supposed to cross-advertise here.

-Moderator

[ecureilx]

Hi there. Just wondering which is the best way to get a helper? A friend already in Singapore said not to bother using an agency and get one from a family that is leaving Singapore.

If you suggest an agency, which one?

Thanks
S

Getting a transfer maid does have it's attraction and so does it's pitfalls ..

I don't condone agencies, but agencies speed up your paperwork, and if you get a transfer maid, it saves a lot of money for the maid too ..

[Shagwah]

my concern with getting a transfer maid is What do I do if it doesn't work out? We are responsible for her. On average with all direct costs what does it cost to have a maid excluding food? I have read that we send her home every two years which seems unfair but then heard from others it's annually?

[bdsfx]

you should budget $1000 a month.

if it does not work out you simply transfer her on. Yes it is unfair that home leave is only once every two years.. it should be more..

[ecureilx]

my concern with getting a transfer maid is What do I do if it doesn't work out? We are responsible for her. On average with all direct costs what does it cost to have a maid excluding food? I have read that we send her home every two years which seems unfair but then heard from others it's annually?

you see, the point is, if you take on a maid, and decide you can't keep her .. then the maid looses out in deductions etc. etc. ..

You should do your due diligence and decide.

The once in two year thing comes in, since most maids work Salary-free to offset the processing fees, for upto 6 months or more.

If you can afford it, well, why not negotiate a better term, and have her annual vacation - note that for some countries, sending a maid back home involves paperwork- such as exit permit and all - which are handled by the agencies.

For costs ? apart from salary and levy ? Or did you consider the levy on top of salary ? How much is too much ?

And always, you should, where possible, pay a fair salary to have a happy maid than to pay exact minimum and have an unhappy maid .. if that sounds bad, then maybe should try to live without a maid .. says me ..

[bdsfx]

And always, you should, where possible, pay a fair salary to have a happy maid than to pay exact minimum and have an unhappy maid .. if that sounds bad, then maybe should try to live without a maid .. says me ..

Yep - I agree... If cost is too much of an issue then it might be best to get by without a maid as it is not a necessity.

If there is a cost benefit to having maid (eg both parents can work while maid takes care of kids) then cost shouldn't be an issue.

Salary is around $500/month plus one day off a week. Plus levy $295 if think if you are not PR or Singaporean, plus food, toiletries etc.. so $1000 a month or more.

Agency fees are quite high for you and FDW and it is not anything you cannot do yourself for free online if you get transfer maid.

[Shagwah]

It's not a case of affordability for the maid.

I am merely trying to get my head around what's involved. Having a helper is a big attraction and the privilege of a helper is going to cost more than $500-600 in monthly salary - there are agency fees, levies, health insurance and other items I probably haven't considered. Food, toiletries are ok.

And when choosing a maid it's going to be a big decision. It's not like taking back a pair of jeans because they don't fit properly - she's a person.

[Zeenit]

Remember this PERSON will be living in your house and being part of the family so you will need to like her to be able to spend 24 hours a day together. Thats why its best to interview a few helpers and pick the one you prefer than taking on a helper from "a friend" and no agency involved.
I personally dont like agencies but sometime its a necessary evil.

I agree $1000.00 and then whatever extras you want her to have. And a happy helper is a happy family.Believe Me.

[Shagwah]

Thanks. Yes, the thought of having a new person living in our house is going to take a bit of adjusting...no more nudie runs. I'm more concerned about biting my tongue if I want to have a few heated words with my darling husband.

It has crossed our minds to get a cleaner and a babysitter as we do in Australia instead of a maid. At least until we settle in.

There's also an attachment issue, how hard is it to leave your new family member behind when you leave? Now I'm changing the topic.

[Zeenit]

Dont put the cart before the horse. We came for 2 years max, looks like we could be here 6 years and who knows after that.

Cleaners are $50 for 4 hours and a babysitter is $20 per hour and normally taxi fare home.

[stueyhall]

and where might one find one of these cleaners?

[Zeenit]

and where might one find one of these cleaners?

Ask your friends, ask around, check cold storage boards also our Agent offered to find us one. The list is long of options.

[ecureilx]

and where might one find one of these cleaners?

Ask your friends, ask around, check cold storage boards also our Agent offered to find us one. The list is long of options.

And I may add - refrain from employing illegal part timers