Many expats in Singapore have live-in helpers who do a little bit of everything – cooking, cleaning, baby-sitting and even gardening! If you don’t have space for a live-in helper, or don’t need full-time help, you can hire someone to come to the house on a part-time basis. You’ll also need to find a handyman or an air-con service company from time to time, if it’s not included in your rental agreement. Here’s a list of companies that can help you, from part-time cleaners, babysitters and live-in helpers from maid agencies to pool cleaners, electricians and technical (computer) help. And there’s a cool app that can find you pretty much everything, too!
White Glove – A maid agency with a difference
You may have decided that a helper is what you need, but it’s important to find the right one for your family. That’s where White Glove comes in. Founded by American attorney Jennifer Yarbrough, the maid agency offers arrangements that benefit both employers and helpers. Unlike most maid agencies, it doesn’t charge fees for helpers who are transferring from other homes, allowing them to save some money. Another sweet spot is that White Glove is great at recruiting excellent candidates for families. If you want to bring in someone from Indonesia or the Philippines, the team can assist you with that, too. Whether you want help with finding a match or you’re organising a direct hire, they can help you sort out contracts, immigration paperwork and more, letting you get your helper here as soon as possible.
White Glove searches for candidates based on criteria that are important to you and your family, including skills such as childcare or cooking. That means you can be assured that your new live-in helper will be a good fit for your family.
Clean Clean – Part-time home help
Clean Clean offers domestic services for busy people who can use some extra help with chores at home. The Japanese company’s services include cleaning, school runs, babysitting, grocery shopping and postpartum services. They can even look after your pets if you need! House cleaning starts from $110, with two dedicated cleaners wiping, mopping, vacuuming and disinfecting bathrooms, bedrooms, kitchens and living rooms. If you’re keen to have daily cleaning services, go for the housekeeping option for $100 for four hours. It includes cleaning, washing, ironing and bed making. What’s great about Clean Clean is that there are no hidden services charges, commissions or transportation fees.
What else? Well, if you just want someone to watch the kids, you can hire one of their experienced babysitters. Fees start at $30 per hour for one child and $40 per hour for two.
9793 1512 (Call or SMS) | cleancleansingapore.wixsite.com
East Coast Pools – Servicing and maintenance
East Coast Pools are a full service pool provider offering pool products and services including pool servicing and maintenance, pump and filter repairs and upgrades, salt and mineral chlorinators, electrical work, construction of new pools and timber work including decking, attap huts and shade structures. The Australian owned and operated company maintains over 300 pools in Singapore and 4,000 pools across Australia and has constructed more than 600 pools in both countries. They also sell a range of Napoleon barbecues, smokers and accessories from Canada.
With experienced and knowledgeable staff, East Coast Pools assures maintenance and chemical management of your pool to a standard that is second to none. Service packages are tailored to your pool’s usage and servicing needs. Your pool will be kept clean and healthy with a focus on chemical management so it feels more like a natural spring than it does a chlorinated pool. Call them for a no obligation quote and onsite discussion about how your pool can be better managed. Or drop by their shop in Joo Chiat.
#01-17, 216 Joo Chiat Road
8822 4000 | eastcoastpools.com.sg
Packeverything – Packing essentials when moving homes
Keeping all your belongings safe at home, when you move or even in storage can be expensive and also tough on the environment. Packeverything develops, creates and sources the best value sustainable packaging alternatives.
Since 2006, Packeverything has been providing a wide range of packing supplies online and in-store. The good news is that the company’s packing materials are made from recycled materials, helping to reduce carbon footprints. You can also get your hands on reusable eco products such as non-woven bags, paper bags, biodegradable plastic bags and resealable packaging. They also carry a Move-It-Yourself Kit with all you need for your move such as boxes and bubble wraps. You really will be able to pack everything! There’s complimentary delivery service for orders above $200.
Packeverything
#01-05, Focus One, 1 Ubi View
6844 7616 | packeverything.com.sg
Ovvy – Domestic help, from cleaners to plumbers
Ovvy has made finding, comparing, booking and paying for movers, air-con technicians, handymen, plumbers, electricians, part-time cleaners and more, a whole lot easier. Download the Ovvy app and select a service category and post your job. You can even add your preferred day and time, and upload photos so service providers know what they’re quoting on. Once you’ve received the quotes, you can compare prices and check out the provider’s profiles (which also contain reviews of their services from other users). The app also enables you to chat with them and ask questions before booking.
Once you’ve decided who suits your needs the most, pay for the bid to accept the provider and wait for them to turn up at the agreed time. Ovvy won’t release your payment to them until the work has been finished and you have confirmed the job was completed. Plus, you’ll get reward points for each completed job. Cash them out and use to offset payments.
Ovvy
ovvyapp.com
A-Team Amahs & Cleaners – Part-time cleaners
Looking for part-time cleaners rather than live-in helpers from maid agencies? Since 2004, A-Team Amahs & Cleaners have specialised in house cleaning, babysitting and confinement services (help and care for mothers and babies post-partum). They also offer exit cleaning, housesitting, housekeeping and even pet sitting. The A-Team two-in-one house cleaning and babysitting service is a blessing – especially for working parents. You can leave your home and little ones (fur-kids too) in the capable hands of an experienced team and return to a spick-and-span house and a happy family.
A-Team Amahs & Cleaners
6100 6122 | a-team.com.sg
Tekkie Help – All things tech related including software
For the last seven years, Sarah and Bo Pinel from Tekkie Help have been fixing, streamlining and repairing technology in homes all over Singapore. Their services include WiFi optimisation, support to set up home entertainment systems, software support, data storage and protection, new device management and repairs to hardware.
8113 8682 | tekkiehelp.com
Inter-Mares Management Services – A Singapore maid agency
If you’re looking for live-in helpers, Inter-Mares Management Services can assist in finding the perfect fit for you and your family. The maid agency has over 35 years of experience, and can also help with the renewal of work permits and arrangement of exit permits. It provides potential employers with a ‘Maid Profile’ where they can find out the helper’s experience, strengths and weaknesses. If any issues arise, you can engage Inter-Mares for counselling services or three-way consultations.
6732 9112 | lucky.com.sg
Comfy Homes – Home help including air-con servicing
Comfy Homes offers home cleaning, air-conditioning, plumbing and laundry services as well as dry cleaning. It can come in handy if you’re looking for part-time cleaners rather than live-in helpers from maid agencies. Opt for either a weekly cleaning service or one-time spring cleaning. Their two helpers will get everything done within just two hours. Weekly cleaning even includes the dreaded ironing and laundry! Keep your marble or parquet flooring clean and sparkly with their floor maintenance service that polishes and removes stains. While you’re at it, let them help you get rid of accumulated dust from your mattresses, sofas, cushions and carpets. No time to do the washing? Just give them a call and your laundry will be returned clean and fresh within five working days.
6844 4523 | comfyhomes.com.sg
Retro Dec – Refurb old furniture
Looking to give your home a makeover? A good place to start is by refreshing your tired-looking furniture. Retro Dec has 25 years of experience in helping homeowners up-cycle existing pieces by giving them a new lease of life. Items such as TV consoles, nightstands, cabinets and dining tables can all take on a fresh look with a new coat of paint; within a week, your furniture will be transformed to capture the eye. Complete your styling mission with the company’s home painting, varnishing, polishing and wallpaper installation services.
9823 1248 | retro-dec.com
Absolute Services – Home services such as cleaning and laundry
Keep your house in good shape with Absolute Services (styled as “@bsolute Services”). Offering a range of home services including part-time cleaners, laundry and dry cleaning, their professional team has got you covered. Got a stubborn stain you can’t remove? Let them give your couch, carpets, curtains or mattresses a good steam. Upkeep your air-conditioners and keep the air fresh with their air-con servicing and cleaning. Too busy for laundry? Their laundry and dry cleaning services allows pick up and drop off at your convenience.
8488 8444 | absoluteservices.com.sg
Wizard Home Services – A booking platform for home help
Need a trusted plumber, electrician, mover, babysitter or pest control person, or perhaps even a massage? Wizard’s online platform allows you to book over 15 different services (including part-time cleaners) to help around the home. All their service providers have been pre-screened and their skills assessed so you can be assured they’ll be the best person for your job.
9828 8956 | wizard.com.sg
iimafix – Handymen for repairs
The task of managing home repairs and rental property inspections is simplified by iimafix, which allows you to track all your job requests on your own personal dashboard. There are no hidden fees, and an upfront agreement is made on the job and its cost; plus, the company’s work is guaranteed up to 12 months after completion.
6252 2884 | iimafix.com
CleanAndFix.sg – Cleaning services and more
CleanAndFix.sg provides house cleaning, painting, floor polishing, electrical, plumbing and handyman services. Their team will turn your kitchen into a sparkling clean haven – no more oily floors, dirty dishes, stoves or countertops. They can even clean your fridge, cabinets and degrease your oven! The cleaning service is a good option for those who do not have space for live-in helpers. Keep your marble and parquet floors in move-in condition with their professional floor polishing services. The company prides themselves in supporting animal welfare and special needs organisations.
9489 4651 | cleanandfix.sg
DomesticONE – Home services including part-time cleaners
Get an extra pair of hands with cleaning, babysitting and nanny services at DomesticONE. It’s a great option if you don’t need full-time help or live-in helpers from maid agencies. Opt for their part-time cleaners or regular housekeeping services, depending on your needs. Get your ironing settled and have them safely clean hard-to-reach areas such as windows, ceiling lights and fans. If you want a one-off, book their ad-hoc cleaning service. Moving in the near future? Get them to clean your new home pre-move or after renovation.
6100 1203 | domestic1.com.sg
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