KiasuParents - Parenting in Singapore

sankprs wrote:There are several agencies available in Singapore who provide the maid services but personally i used the sghomeneeds in year 2015 as it suggested by one of the my office colleague. you can check about their services online too. we hire them for our kids as we couldn't have time in morning for our kids so we hired them. They are in high demand and their prices is quite fair. Here you can also directly contact them.
https://sghomeneeds.com/best-maid-agencies-in-singapore

I'm curious why u recommend sghomeneeds & claimed to hv got good helpers fr them since 2015?

You claimed they're high in demand - how did u know? Did u talk to eyers? Did u check sghomeneeds records? Yr colleague recommended? You're working with charusharma?

Maybe checking with MOM will reveal who are the owners?

Reds1980 wrote:
You can go to MOM website (https://services.mom.gov.sg/eadirectory/#) to filter the Agency according to the ratings, retention rate.

Second this thread. Just got off a troublesome arrangement with United Channel. Their contract is not standardized, especially the one with $188 promotional agency fee. It's a trap, as a "top-up" of agency fee had to be done to change the new maid. My situation was the maid is 'mute' don't talk, cannot follow examples, and basically 'dumb'. In addition, the contract said our business relationship had to be 3 months. Hence if you are unlucky like me who gotten a maid who was 'mute and dumb', you had to suck it up for 90 days at least. All maid agencies will promise the maids being young will learn fast. I can dispute that with more than 70% confidence level from my 20 years experience of hiring maids.

Estéema wrote:DIY to select online helpers can both be a very tiring & frustrating process.

We've went thro numerous interviews, but 90% do not come honest; they want high salary & not pay agent.

All the helpers in Spore, who are looking for eyers do not get release papers & they're not aware that they've to hv at least 30 days or more to get MOM's transfer approval even if their current eyer sign the release for transfer paper. This means one hv to be very disappointed & wait for the helper to complete contract, or sent home before u can apply for her new WP & buy her air-tic back to Spore.

Many, esp the pino & Indo and I've encountered one Mynmar helper (had >8 years exp in Spore) wants weekly Sundays rest-day. Be aware most want it for change of eyer bcoz current eyer do not give weekly off-days, but they want for moonlighting (cleaning in other households to earn better money).

I'll still advise try to ask ard yr frds for transfer helpers that come recommended. Usually, singles or families who employed helpers for elderly care but elderly passed away & they don't need the helper.

Abv sharing based on my personal experiences with online maid selection.

Quite true... not all transfer maids are bad

Just to share...

My helper of 7 years had gone home in May & I've gone through the arduous process of finding a good helper which luckily I finally did. I just thought that I should share with you some of my experiences that you may find worth looking out for.

When my old helper had expressed her desire to go back to get married. My mind was made up to hire a helper from a 'good' maid agency that one of the forumers had highly rated here (few years back). She shared with me the contact thru pm. So, I contacted this agency immediately & did not look anywhere else. (Edit to add: I had read up on this agency before contacting them). I was even willing to wait for one to be available that time. When they informed me that a transfer was avail, I immediately went to interview the helper. I had made sure I sound out to the helper all that was needed for my household so that both our expectations were aligned. Her bio-data could have triggered alarm bells (my personal criteria)at that time, if not for the fact that I had the single-minded belief that this agency would provide me a good helper. Very soon, within a month, I realised how wrong I am. This helper did not suit my household requirements at all. When I asked for bio-data for replacements, they informed me that there were none as none of their helpers wanted to care for dog. When finally there was one candidate, it was a helper with the same type of bio-data that would set off my alarm bells. I took the cue from the agency that they were not looking after my interest & went on to look for other agencies. I had to scour through numerous bio-datas before I finally found my current helper whom I am grateful for.

The moral of my story is that there are good agencies around. However, a good agency to one does not automatically imply good for another employer. It may have been just luck. I think that forumer had meant to help. I still have to do my due diligence, research & talk to these maid agents to find out more before committing that lump sum, unless you already know the agent well personally.

Good luck!

What's agency fees nowadays? What other hidden costs? Do they still build in extra for other charges e.g. medical, settling-in course, FDW insurance, medical, etc just to earn fr eyer?

Estéema wrote:What's agency fees nowadays? What other hidden costs? Do they still build in extra for other charges e.g. medical, settling-in course, FDW insurance, medical, etc just to earn fr eyer?

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Recently helped my brother hired one maid for this agent who charged $788 agency fees excludes insurance. Best of all, she does house call service n low maid loan. Save the trouble n time of travelling to select n fetch the helper.

Got some forumers here told me tthere are agencies charging much less.

please do not ever take maid from CMS maid agency .. the sevice is very lousy.

are there any such worthy agencies if there are employers who are willing to pay more for that extra attention in shortlisting in their maids? I have seen maids who can really take care of the day to day running of the house, speaks well, able to buy groceries, well mannered on dining tables, just like another member of the family. Just wondering where are these maids usually from? agencies or are there other routes to look for such candidates?

I agree very much that hiring a helper is about luck. Had my fair share of bad maids and bad agencies as well. I think what is important is that the agency you are using must provide support when things do not go as plan. You try my agency if you intend to hire a helper, so far they are reliable and responsible. Best helper is the agency i am using. You can try asking for Mr Phng (8660 5975) he is the one that serves me. Good luck!