All About Full-Time Maids

[titank]

Is Homekeeper good? I fnd that average agent fee range at least like $300. Maybe mine was those low agency fee like $88 that why the quality of filipino maid that I get is no good.


Sometime I find that the same bio-data can be found in different agencies. Wonder is ti just the same supplier that the agencies that you are using?

[mummy of 2]

carebear:

mummy of 2:

My second maid was like that. See the sky dark dark also didn't keep clothes. Sent her back to agency after 3 days. Waited one month for new maid. This one is much better. Agree that the quality of maids is getting from bad to worse.

So far i have been quite lucky with maids.
I got all 3 of them from the same agency, homekeeper.
I am pleased with all of them so far.
Just got a new one 2 weeks ago and she is adapting well!
mummy of 2, i quite agree with you......
Not quality in my case, but it's the language part.
The last 2 could speak english well.
This time i went through the long list of biodata, but those whom i found suitable, could not speak english.
It's not really a problem with me cos i can speak conversational malay, but my kids find it difficult to communicate with her.

I find that it's both language and ability to learn. My first maid had a lot of intiative. By the end of her two years, she could cook almost as well as my MIL, and could help read to the kids, and supervise DS1 in writing exercises.

[mummy of 2]

titank:

Is Homekeeper good? I fnd that average agent fee range at least like $300. Maybe mine was those low agency fee like $88 that why the quality of filipino maid that I get is no good.


Sometime I find that the same bio-data can be found in different agencies. Wonder is ti just the same supplier that the agencies that you are using?

I used Nation both times. The fee is high $700+ each time but I'm quite happy with the service. They are not the unscrupulous type who try to give you lousy maids. When I was considering transfer maids, they would tell me why the maids were transfered and woud recommend that i wait for new maids.

[kiasimom]

titank:

Hi All,


If the current maid had finish the maid loan I can just striaght away cancel her WP & get her an air ticket back to a home country or should I send her back to the agent?

Current maid had been working almost 7 months. still very blur like sotong. Where the sky is dark dark suppose to keep the clothes. In the end wait until it rain then she go & keep while in the midst of cooking.

I find that the quality of maid now is getting back to worst. My maid agency is Z.zzz type, ask for replacement bio-data like bochap bochap type.

Agree that once change a maid have to start with new maid loan, insurance, safety course which easily add up to $3,000! :!:

Hi titank,

Usually if the maid has no more outstanding loan, you can cancel her work permit and buy her an airticket home.
Still, I will advise you to check your employment agreement with the agency.
I believe as long as your maid doesn't owe them any more money, they should have no objections of you sending her back

[kiasimom]

titank:

Now must try tahan the maid,if change then must pay extra $$. This maid always bath take very long like 30 minutes, guess must be going to apply some cream on her face. I can see her face is getting bad to worst.


She got one time said like to try \"New York Skin Solutions\" for those trial.Ha.ha told her her entire pay also not enough to cover this facial treatment.

I used to have a maid who baths for as long as 1 hour :!:
I told her that she is hogging the toilet and should be considerate.

Current maid alos try to test water.
When she first came, very fast and efficient, then try to cut corners.
Spent 30 minutes eating and 30 minutes bathing. I observed her for a few days and approcahed her. i asked her why is there such a differnce in time taken in eating and bathing? She kept quiet and I told her I have observed her for some time.
I reminded her that whatever she does, she is being monitored by me and that if she is really interested in her job, don't try to take chance thinking that I don't know.
Since then, she has reverted to her normal time.

My advice: Tell the maid directly if you are not satisfied with her performance. Don't bottle it and hope that she will realise it herself.

[mummy of 2]

Yes, I agree that it’s better to tell the maid directly rather than hope she can guess what you want. Communication is very important. Having said that, my MIL is the one who communicates most with the maid. Housework is under her purview. I don’t interfere. I only instruct the maid when it concerns my kids.


I only come in to tell the maid off for major issues. That’s why my previous maid was more scared of me than MIL.

[vividlaurel]

Hi Autumnbronze,


Yes, her sis is also a helper here. Thanks for the tip, I didn't think of it in those terms at all. I'll make a note of it and will put down my expectations right at the begining.

autumnbronze:

Hi vividlaurel,

Just my 2 cents worth,

You mentioned that she's goa a sis and brother working here. Is the sis a helper too?

That might be a little 'tricky' cuz your helper might want to communicate with them all the time and then later on there might be basis for comparison in terms of salaries, benefits etc...

Perhaps you might want to set out your expectations with regards to this issue to her when she comes in .... :?

Again, just my 2 cents worth

[titank]

Ya having a maid really a lot of expenses. Salary + Levy + Miscellaneous = $700++.

[kiasimom]

I won’t want a maid who has relatives and friends here.

The networking can be really scary :!:

Yes, it is really not cheap to have a maid here in SG.

[mummy of 2]

Yes, and there can be unexpected expenses, like medical. Why is it that people only sympathise with maids, and make it sound as though all employers are out to abuse/exploit their helpers?