Skip to main content

Step by Step guide to find the best maid agencies in Singapore



By Step Up

If you have been looking to hire a maid since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, you would have faced multiple challenges due to restrictions. There are now fewer maids available for hire and you will have to fork out additional fees for Stay-Home-Notice (SHN) and testing. 

On top of that, there is also a new rule. From the start of 2021, if you need to hire a maid, you must get her medical insurance with a coverage amount of at least $10,000, This is to cover any medical expenses in the event that she develops COVID-19 symptoms within 14 days of arriving in Singapore. The insurance must be bought before she arrives in Singapore.


Demand for maids remain strong

Despite the costs, the demand for maids remains strong. Now more than ever, employers hiring new maids want the assurance and guarantee of quality and well-trained maids. It is totally understandable considering the sizeable fee - which can amount to double of what you used to pay.

This is why it’s important to go with maid agencies that have a stellar record and outstanding service.

A comprehensive guide to finding the best maid agencies in Singapore

There are more than 2000 maid agencies in Singapore. This number can make it pretty daunting to choose the best maid agency in Singapore. But don't worry, our guide will help you find the best maid agency in Singapore. So, here we go:

Factors to keep in mind when going through an employment agency

Here are some important factors that you must consider while hiring a maid agency:

1. Experience 

Even though the number of years a business is operating in the industry doesn't equate to quality, it definitely has an impact on the service. Therefore, it is always recommended to hire a maid agency in Singapore that has more years of experience.
Because such agencies usually have deeper knowledge to understand your needs and deal with any issues effectively.

2. Placement volume 

Placement volume indicates the number of work-passes that has been applied for by the maid agency. The average placement volume in this field is about 35. Any maid agency with a higher value than this means it is working in an incredibly professional manner and has better resources. You can consequently consider that agency.

3. Retention rate

This is referred to as the number of foreign maids who stay with the same employers for more than a year. The average industry rate in this regard is 48.18%. The higher retention rate can offer more benefits to both parties.

4. Transfer rate 

This is a term that indicates the percentage of foreign domestic workers who have been transferred to more than or equal to 3 employers per year. The average transfer rate in the industry is 1.65%. You should consider agencies with lower transfer rates.

To check the official records for the above points 1-4, go to the MOM website to enter the agency that you are considering.


MOM's website allows you to search based on your criteria

5. Ratings and reviews

For an overview of the reputation of potential maid agencies in Singapore, it is highly important to go online and check their ratings and reviews. Join Facebook groups such as FDW Singapore (Employers) and KiasuParents forum. Reviews from actual users will certainly let you have a better idea about the quality of their services in the best possible way.
As a result, it will become easier for you to make a more informed decision in this regard.

6. Licensed maid agency 

This is one of the most important things to consider when you hire a maid agency in Singapore. Make sure to go with the agency that is licensed by MOM.

7. Agency fee 

This is another important factor to consider when hiring the best maid agency. It is not always important to hire an agency with higher fees to get quality services. Rather you can do some research and find one of the best maid agencies in Singapore at a competitive price as well. Do look carefully at the cost breakdown and check with the agency if you are not sure. Also watch out for hidden costs, in case there are additional fees you need to pay should you or your maid decide to terminate the employment contract early.

8. Customer support

There’s no guarantee if the maid will work out once she is deployed at your household. This is why it’s important to have a good maid agency that is ever ready to answer any of your queries and will provide advice and counseling to you or your maid if needed.


Do compare your choices before deciding

Common mistakes to avoid while hiring a maid agency in Singapore:

There are numerous maid agencies in Singapore. Some of these operate without a license and even some are offering cheap maid agency services as well. When it comes to deciding on a maid agency, there are some common mistakes that people usually make in the process. 

Here we have compiled common mistakes that you must avoid while hiring a maid agency in Singapore:

  • Hiring any maid agency at the lowest price is one of the most common mistakes people make while finding a maid agency in Singapore. Undoubtedly, finding an agency at an affordable rate is always tempting. And there is nothing bad about saving money. But perform your due diligence to see whether the agency is worth considering or not. 
  • When you are going to hire a maid agency, make sure to give it some time. Avoid making any decision in a hurry, because this can hurt you later. 
  • Check out the online presence and customer services support available for the maid agencies in Singapore. Not looking at this will make you regret it later. Because in case of any problems, you certainly need to consult with the maid agency's customer support to deal with matters effectively. 

How to compliment your maid training after hiring that? 

Do you want to boost your maid training? Well, Step Up online training videos can be the best way to do this. Step Up online maid training is one of the best solutions that you can consider to let your domestic worker learn about various important topics ranging from nutrition, hygiene to road safety, child care, household chores, and much more. 

When it comes to how this online maid training works, the process is pretty simple. 

The steps you need to follow are below:
  • Sign up for an account and create an account for your maid
  • Maid logs in with her user ID
  • Watch videos in her native language
  • Complete videos and quizzes and earn points.
That's it, Step Up online training has become one of the most effective maid training solutions that are being trusted by numerous households.
Do you want to get benefit from this effective Maid training service? 
Sign up today!

Location: Singapore

Popular posts from this blog

4 tips to train your domestic worker

By Step Up Just hired a new or transfer domestic worker from a maid agency ? If you are lucky, your worker will be equipped with training as promised by her maid agency. If you are not, you will need to impart skills as she enters your household, starting with the very basic chores. The first barrier to effective training is language. Many times, employers have to use simple English and animated gestures to communicate with their limited or non-English-speaking workers. First, decide which is the language of instruction. Some employers need their domestic worker to get down to work immediately so it is a priority of short-term goals, and in this case, chores. But the long-term objective is to learn how to communicate more effectively with your worker. The key is not to overwhelm your domestic worker with learning a new language and the rules of your household all at once! Here are 4 tips to help your domestic worker get up to speed in a short time! 1. Provide a schedule  Create
Read more

The No. 1 most important thing to know before hiring a helper

  By Step Up When you are shortlisting and reviewing potential helpers, you will need to look at their employment history. You can find this information on the  MOM website . Do note that this only shows her employment history in Singapore and not in other countries. HOW TO CHECK A FDW'S EMPLOYMENT HISTORY To access this information, you will need your Singpass details. To look up a particular helper, you need her full name or FIN number, date of birth, and nationality. Once you are on the page, you can see "Employment period", "Household size", "Housing Type" such as Landed, HDB, Private flat/apartment, "Cancellation Reasons" and "Expected Job Scope". WHAT TO LOOK FOR Source: MOM website First, look at the employment period column. In Singapore, a helper’s employment contract duration is 2 years. Look at how many contracts she has completed. If the helper has completed more than 1 employment contract, it means she has a good track
Read more

Press Release: Singapore’s First Video Training App for Migrant Domestic Workers to Increase Skills and Productivity

For Immediate Release Just hired a Migrant Domestic Worker (MDW)? You’re in luck. An innovative app, Step Up, has launched an easily-accessible online video training app that guides MDWs on what it takes to care for homes and family members. The videos are narrated in the workers’ native languages. Set to deliver great benefits to both employers and domestic workers alike, Step Up is created by a progressive video tech company, Infini Videos. There is no other training technology for MDWs in Singapore to increase their skills. The Need for Training & Education While training is crucial for any job success, most employers of domestic workers are usually families with many of the members having full-time jobs. Training their domestic workers is currently done face-to-face and can take up to a few months to achieve competency. And when a MDW makes poor personal choices such as borrow from moneylenders or fall for scams, her actions could also directly impact the emplo
Read more