Not every household in Singapore fits the standard full-time, live-in helper setup. You might be a single professional in a compact flat, a family between helpers, or simply unsure whether you need full-time support at all. These are perfectly normal situations — and as a trusted domestic maid agency, we help you work through them every day.
Rather than forcing you into one rigid arrangement, we present options that match how your household actually runs. This guide explains what flexible helper arrangements look like, how they work within MOM regulations, and how we can help you choose the right path forward.
Key Takeaways
- We help match you with the right helper type — not just the first available profile.
- Transfer maids, direct transfers, and interim arrangements offer flexibility without breaking MOM rules.
- Maid agency fees vary based on whether you hire from overseas or take on a transfer helper already in Singapore.
- Employers in transitional situations benefit most from working with a domestic helper agency that provides post-placement support.
- Choosing a licensed home maid agency in Singapore protects both you and your helper.
Why Some Employers Need Flexible Helper Arrangements
The image of a full-time, live-in domestic helper suits many families. But it does not suit all of them.
Humanitarian Organization for Migration Economics reported approximately 301,600 migrant domestic workers employed as of December 2024. That means roughly one in five households has a helper. Yet within that number, household needs vary widely.
Some common situations where flexibility matters:
- Single professionals who need help with housekeeping but not full-day coverage
- Small apartments where live-in arrangements feel cramped for everyone
- Families between helpers waiting for a new hire to arrive from overseas
- First-time employers unsure whether they need a full-time helper at all
- Households with part-time eldercare or childcare needs that may grow over time
As a maid agency in Singapore with over 20 years of experience, we see these situations regularly. We do not push you toward a one-size-fits-all solution. We guide you toward what genuinely works for your home.
Learn more about the types of helpers we offer
Flexible Options We Offer as a Domestic Helper Agency
When people hear “flexible,” they sometimes assume it means part-time or illegal arrangements. That is not the case. Under MOM regulations, a foreign domestic worker must work full-time for a single registered employer. However, flexibility comes from how you hire — not whether the helper works full-time.
Here are the main options we walk our clients through:
Transfer Maids in Singapore
A transfer maid is a helper who is already working in Singapore but available to move to a new employer. This is one of the fastest ways to get household support.
| Benefit | Detail |
| Speed | Most transfer maids can start within 3 to 5 working days after MOM approval |
| In-person interviews | You meet and assess the helper face-to-face before committing |
| Local experience | She already understands Singapore routines and expectations |
| Lower upfront cost | No overseas deployment or airfare fees |
Transfer maids are ideal for employers in transitional situations — for example, if your current helper has just left and you need someone quickly while deciding on a longer-term hire.
Explore our transfer maid options
Direct Transfers Between Employers
A direct transfer happens when you hire a helper directly from her current employer, often through a personal recommendation. As a domestic maid agency, we handle the full paperwork for you — including the work permit transfer, security bond, and insurance requirements.
This route suits employers who already know the helper they want to hire — perhaps through a friend or family member — but need professional help with compliance.
Find out how our direct transfer service works
Hiring From Overseas With a Structured Start
Some employers are not yet sure if a full-time helper is the right fit. In that case, we guide you through the hiring process with clear expectations on both sides.
This means setting a structured first 30 to 90 days where duties, communication, and household routines are documented. It is not a “trial period” in the legal sense — MOM does not recognise probation for domestic workers — but a well-planned onboarding process reduces early mismatches significantly.
We work with our clients to build this structure from the start, because we believe thoughtful decisions last longer than rushed ones.
What Most Employers Get Wrong About Maid Agency Fees
One of the biggest sources of confusion is cost. Many employers compare maid agency fees purely on the headline number without understanding what is included.
Here is a general breakdown of what hiring through a maid agency in Singapore typically involves:
| Cost Component | Estimated Range |
| Agency service fee | S$1,000 to S$3,000 |
| MOM security bond | S$5,000 (or insurer’s guarantee) |
| Monthly levy | S$300 (or S$60 concessionary) |
| Medical and personal accident insurance | S$400 to S$600 per year |
| Helper’s monthly salary | S$500 to S$800 |
| Living expenses (food, utilities, transport) | S$200 to S$400 per month |
Transfer maids generally cost less upfront because there are no overseas deployment fees, airfare, or Settling-In Programme costs. However, the overall value depends on the quality of matching and post-placement support — not just the initial price.
As MOM’s own guide to hiring a helper outlines, employers should budget beyond the agency fee to cover recurring obligations like levy, insurance, and salary.
At Master Maid Agency, we charge $0 upfront service fees. Our team starts shortlisting profiles for you right away, and you only pay after you are satisfied with your chosen helper. We believe this removes unnecessary pressure from the decision-making process.
Read more about what to budget for when hiring
The Question No One Asks — When Should You Not Hire a Full-Time Helper?
Most domestic maid agency blogs focus on convincing you to hire. We think honesty matters more.
Here are signs that a full-time live-in helper might not be the right move at this stage:
- Your home has no reasonable space for a helper to sleep privately. MOM requires employers to provide acceptable accommodation.
- Your household tasks total fewer than 4 to 5 hours daily. A full-time helper with not enough to do can lead to frustration on both sides.
- You are hiring reactively — out of stress or pressure — without thinking through daily routines and expectations.
- Your budget is tight. Beyond the salary, recurring costs like levy, insurance, and living expenses add up to well over S$1,000 monthly.
We will tell you this upfront. It is better to delay hiring and get the right match than to rush in and face a breakdown within weeks.
What Makes Master Maid Agency Different From Other Domestic Helper Agencies
We get asked this often. The honest answer comes down to two things — what we do before placement, and what we do after.
Before Placement: We Cherry-Pick, Not Push
Most agencies limit you to a small pool of exclusive suppliers. We do not. We work with multiple suppliers so we can genuinely select the best profiles for your household — not just whoever happens to be available.
We only recommend helpers we would hire for our own family. That is not a tagline. It is how we filter every single profile before it reaches you.
We also value attitude over credentials. A good helper is teachable, emotionally stable, and open to feedback. No helper arrives knowing your way. The best helpers are those willing to adapt — not those who claim they already know everything. Perfection does not last. Teachability does.
After Placement: We Stay With You
This is the biggest difference. Most agencies stop once the helper arrives. For us, that is where the real work begins.
When something goes wrong, we do not immediately say “change helper.” We say, “Let us understand what is happening.” Think of it like going to your best friend with a problem — a good friend does not tell you to give up immediately. She listens, understands, and helps you work through it first. That is exactly how we approach every situation.
We coach employers. We guide helpers. We try to make it work before disruption becomes the default solution.
We also assign every family a dedicated Personal Relationship Manager (PRM). Your PRM remembers your past placements, preferences, and what did not work — so you do not repeat the same mistakes. Support does not end at office hours, and history is used properly to build continuity.
Our Process Is Built Around Accountability
If every problem leads to “change helper,” that is not support — that is avoidance. We stand with you when things are uncomfortable, not just when things are easy.
We even have a checklist system for clients so decisions are based on facts, not emotions. You can objectively assess whether it is truly time for a change.
Placement is easy. Sustaining a good working relationship — that is the real value.
| What We Do | How It Helps You |
| Cherry-pick from multiple suppliers | Better match, not just the next available helper |
| Prioritise attitude and teachability | Helpers who adapt to your household, not resist it |
| Dedicated PRM for every family | Continuity, personalised support, no repeating mistakes |
| Post-placement coaching and mediation | Problems are resolved, not avoided |
| $0 upfront service fees | No financial pressure to commit before you are ready |
| Fully digitalised process | No need to visit our office — interviews to paperwork, all online |
| Replacement support within the placement period | We do not encourage immediate replacements — we believe in giving your helper enough time to adjust. However, if the helper has worked with you for more than 6 months and it is still within the 9-month replacement period, you can request a replacement by transferring her back to us. There are no additional agency fees for the replacement itself. Relevant third-party costs still apply, including maid insurance (which is non-transferable), admin fees, medical checks, and transport fees. |
How We Protect You as a Licensed Home Maid Agency in Singapore
Working with a licensed home maid agency in Singapore is not just a convenience — it is a safeguard.
MOM maintains a public directory of licensed employment agencies where you can verify any agency’s track record, including demerit points, placement volume, and retention rates.
Here is what we handle for you:
- Work permit applications and renewals filed accurately and on time
- Security bond and insurance arranged in compliance with MOM requirements
- Helper screening including background verification and in-person interviews
- Post-placement support when issues arise during the working relationship
We are transparent about costs, timelines, and what to expect — because integrity is our non-negotiable. Skills can be trained. Habits can be corrected. But honesty cannot be taught. The same standard we hold for our helpers, we hold for ourselves.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hire a part-time foreign domestic worker in Singapore?
No. MOM regulations require foreign domestic workers to work full-time for their registered employer only. Part-time arrangements with a foreign helper are illegal and can result in fines of up to S$10,000. If you need part-time cleaning support, you must engage a Singaporean, PR, or a worker with the correct work pass through a licensed cleaning company.
How quickly can a maid agency in Singapore place a transfer maid?
A transfer maid can typically begin work within 3 to 5 working days after MOM approves the change of employer. This is significantly faster than hiring from overseas, which can take 2 weeks to 3 months depending on the helper’s nationality and documentation. We manage the entire process for you — from shortlisting to paperwork to handover.
What should I check before choosing a domestic helper agency in Singapore?
Start with the MOM directory to verify the agency’s licence status, demerit points, and placement history. Then check Google reviews — especially comments about post-placement service. Finally, assess whether the agency has a proper team with designated roles or is a one-person operation. A structured team means better support when you need it most.
Ready to Find the Right Helper Arrangement? Talk to Us at Master Maid Agency
Whether you are exploring transfer maids, managing a gap between helpers, or simply figuring out whether full-time support is right for your household — we are here to guide you through it.
With over 20 years of experience, MOM-licensed operations, dedicated Personal Relationship Managers, and $0 upfront service fees, we do not just place helpers — we stay with you to make the arrangement work.
- Address: 170 Upper Bukit Timah Road, Singapore
- Facebook: Master Employment Agency
- Instagram: @master.employment.agency
- TikTok: @master.employment.agency
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