Part-time cleaner vs maid side by side
The two arrangements differ in who employs the worker and what you are responsible for. The helper column follows MOM's employment rules for migrant domestic workers.
| Point | Part-time cleaner | Live-in helper |
|---|---|---|
| Who employs them | A cleaning company | You, under a Work Permit (MOM) |
| Where they work | Your home, on booked visits | Only at the address declared to MOM |
| Tasks | Cleaning tasks agreed with the company | Domestic chores only (MOM) |
| Your responsibilities | Pay the company | Upkeep, including accommodation, food and medical treatment (MOM) |
| Flexibility | Book as needed | Full-time arrangement |
How the two arrangements work
You may see this put as part-time maid vs full-time maid, but one is a service you book and the other is a job you offer.
Part-time cleaner
You book a part-time cleaner through a cleaning company, which employs the cleaner. You agree the tasks and schedule with the company and pay it, booking more or fewer visits as needed.
For part-time or temporary help with household chores, MOM says you can contact companies under the Household Services Scheme (HSS). The scheme lets these companies hire more migrant workers to provide part-time domestic services such as home cleaning, grocery shopping, car-washing and pet-sitting. Selected HSS companies can also provide basic elder-minding services. MOM does not say a cleaning company must be on the HSS list.
Live-in helper
A live-in helper is a migrant domestic worker you employ yourself. Under MOM's employment rules, she needs a valid Work Permit, can only work for you at the residential address declared to MOM, can only do domestic chores and cannot take on work with other employers. You also remain responsible for her upkeep.
Cost comparison method
Working out helper vs cleaner cost means comparing two kinds of spending: a company's published rate, or an employee's pay and upkeep. The table below lists published part-time or regular cleaning rates, each linked to its source.
FROM THE HOMEZYPRO DIRECTORY
Published part-time cleaning rates
For the most common unit (per hour), the lowest published part-time cleaning rates from 9 companies run from S$20 to S$24 per hour (middle rate S$22), for a part-time cleaner. The middle figure is a real published rate, not an average. Each figure is one company's own advertised rate with its conditions, not a quote.
See 26 published part-time cleaning rates and sources
| Company | Service as listed | Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Go Cleaners Pte Ltd | Hourly cleaning | S$18 per visit | gocleaners.sg |
| J+U Envirolution Pte Ltd | Explore hourly cleaning | S$18 | juenvirolution.com |
| 6 Days Cleaning | Weekly/ Fortnightly Part Time Cleaning | From S$20 per hour | 6days.sg |
| Avalon Services | Part-time helper, weekly / fortnightly (min. 3 bookings) | From S$21 per hour | avalon-services.com.sg |
| Easyclean SG | Hourly cleaning service | From S$22 per hour | easycleansg.com |
| Natural Clean | General Weekly Bi-weekly Home Cleaning | From S$22 per hour | naturalclean.com.sg |
| Part Time Home Maid Service Singapore | Best Weekly Maid Service & Part Time Cleaner Services | From S$22 per hour | parttimehomemaid.com |
| Sureclean | General weekly home cleaning | From S$22 | sureclean.com.sg |
| KleanSG | Part-time maid, per cleaner (incl. GST, min 2 hours) | S$23.98 per hour | kleansg.com |
| Beck And Call | Weekly cleaning, made easy. | S$24 per hour | beckandcall.com.sg |
| Clean Off | Weekly home cleaning, day slot (min 3 hrs/session, 4 sessions) | S$24 per hour | cleanoff.com.sg |
| Helperoo Pte Ltd | Your Reliable House Cleaning Agency | From S$24 per hour | helperoo.com.sg |
| BUTLER Housekeeping | Regular Housekeeping | From S$27 | housekeeping.sg |
| Cleanhub Facility Pte Ltd | Hourly Rates | S$40 | cleanhub.sg |
| CleanAxisCo. Pte Ltd | Home cleaning, 3 hours | From S$66 per visit | cleanaxisco.com.sg |
| Arkin Pte Ltd | Weekly Home Care · 3 / 4 hours | S$69 | arkin-sg.com |
| Mycleanhome | Part-time cleaner, 3 hours | S$70 per session | mycleanhomesg.com |
| Nimbus Homes | 3 Hours Housekeeping | S$81 per visit | nimbushomes.com |
| Cleano Services | Weekly cleaning, from | From S$150 per month | cleano.com.sg |
| Superb Cleaning Pte Ltd | Bi-Weekly (2 sessions per month) - (3 hours) | S$150 per month | superb-cleaning.com |
| Comfy Homes Singapore | Part-time cleaning, 2 sessions/month, 4 hours weekday | S$218 per month | comfyhomes.com.sg |
| Just Clean Lah | House cleaning, standard one-bedroom HDB flat | From S$288 | justcleanlah.com |
| Household Service Elite Pte Ltd | Weekly cleaning, once a week, 3 hours per session (4 sessions) | S$336 per month | homecares.sg |
| Home Carely Cleaning Services | Weekly cleaning, 4-room HDB or condo (1,001-1,200 sq ft) | S$380 to S$400 per month | homecarelycontract.sg |
| Part Time Maid | Domestic Cleaning Services in Singapore FAQ | From S$427 per month | part-time-maid.com |
| Auntie Cleaner Pte Ltd | Weekly part-time maid cleaning, 4 hrs/session, 1 cleaner | S$474 per month | auntiecleaner.com.sg |
Of the 26 companies that publish a part-time or regular cleaning line, 9 price per hour. Their lowest published hourly rates run from S$20 to S$24 per hour, with S$22 per hour in the middle. That middle figure is one company's rate as printed, not an average. The other companies price per visit, per session or per month, or have lines printed without a unit, so do not compare those lines with the hourly figures.
For a live-in helper, no published rate applies. Add up the cost items yourself: her salary, plus the upkeep that MOM says the employer is responsible for, including acceptable accommodation, adequate food and medical treatment. MOM sets out the full employer obligations on that page.
For other cleaning jobs and how they are priced, see home cleaning prices.
Scope of work and rules
MOM states that it is an offence for a foreign domestic worker to take on part-time employment, with or without her employer's consent. Under the Work Permit conditions, she does domestic chores only for her employer, at the residential address stated on her Work Permit card.
Under MOM's employment rules, employers who illegally deploy a helper face a financial penalty and may be banned from employing helpers. The same rules set out one exception. With the helper's written agreement and after notifying MOM, an employer may have her care for the employer's child or parent at a relative's house, provided she does not do the full load of housework in both households.
A part-time cleaner from a company does the tasks you agree with that company. If you also need a one-off deep cleaning, ask the company whether it offers this and how it is priced.
Who each arrangement suits
These are considerations, not rules.
- A part-time cleaner may suit households that want cleaning only, on a schedule, without employing someone.
- It may also suit homes without space for a helper to live in.
- A live-in helper may suit households that need daily help with chores or care.
- It may suit households that can meet the employer duties, including providing accommodation.
If you are not sure whether you need regular visits or a one-off clean, read part-time cleaner or deep cleaning.
NEXT STEP
See home cleaning companies with their published prices, the areas they say they cover and their sources.
Compare cleaning companiesWhich one should you choose?
Answer these questions before you decide:
- How many hours of help do you need each week?
- Do you need cleaning only, or care for a child or parent as well?
- Do you have space for a helper to live in your home?
- Are you willing to take on an employer's duties, including her upkeep?
If booked cleaning visits cover your needs, browse part-time cleaners and check the part-time cleaner hourly rates companies publish. If you need daily help or care, read MOM's employment rules first.
Questions
Is a part-time cleaner cheaper than a helper?
It depends on how many hours of help you need and what you need done. Of 26 companies with a part-time cleaning line, 9 price per hour, and their lowest published rates run from S$20 to S$24 per hour. For a helper, you add up her salary and the upkeep MOM says employers are responsible for.
Can my helper also clean my parents' flat?
No, not for general cleaning. MOM's rules say a helper can only work for her employer at the residential address declared to MOM. One exception lets her care for your child or parent at a relative's house, with her written agreement and after you notify MOM, provided she does not do the full load of housework in both households.
Can I hire a part-time maid from another household?
No. MOM states that it is an offence for a foreign domestic worker to take on part-time employment, with or without her employer's consent. For part-time help with chores, MOM says you can contact companies under the Household Services Scheme, or you can book a cleaning company for set visits.
What does an employer have to provide for a live-in helper?
Besides her salary, the employer is responsible for the helper's upkeep, which MOM says includes acceptable accommodation, adequate food and medical treatment. She also needs a valid Work Permit, and she can only do domestic chores at the address declared to MOM. Read MOM's employment rules in full before you hire.
Can a part-time cleaner look after my elderly parent?
Only if the company offers that service. MOM says selected Household Services Scheme companies can hire more migrant workers to provide basic elder-minding services. Not every cleaning company does this, so ask the company whether it provides elder-minding before you book.
Does a cleaning company need an NEA licence?
Not for cleaning your home. The National Environment Agency (NEA) says cleaning businesses that provide domestic cleaning at premises occupied as a private residence do not need a Cleaning Business Licence. The licence is needed for non-domestic general cleaning, such as office cleaning or condo common areas, whether ad hoc or on contract.
Prices come only from the sourced company rates in the HomezyPro directory, shown with each company and its source.
Practical guidance for planning a home job in Singapore. Company prices come from the HomezyPro directory, each linked to its source; rules and safety points link to the agency or manufacturer that sets them. This is not a site inspection, a quote or professional advice for your home.
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