Part-time Helper in Singapore — Complete Guide (2026)

In This Guide

1. What to Look For When Hiring
2. Typical Price Ranges
3. HDB vs Condo vs Landed
4. Red Flags to Watch Out For
5. All 133 Verified Providers
6. Part-time Helper by Location
7. FAQ

Part-time helpers are among the most commonly hired services in Singapore — weekly housekeeping, ironing, one-off deep cleans, or a 4-hour slot before Chinese New Year. Rates run S$18-25/hour from licensed companies, with 3-4 hour minimums standard. The landscape splits into three tracks: Singaporean or PR freelancers, licensed company-deployed helpers (Singaporean or foreign with valid Work Permits), and the grey-market 'freelance foreign helper' found on Carousell or Facebook. The third is illegal under MOM rules and lands the homeowner in trouble, not just the cleaner. This guide covers the legal structure, pricing, and how to book without exposure. Part-time helper providers on KakiList hold valid ACRA registration and licensed deployment arrangements.

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The pivotal legal check: foreign part-time helpers must be deployed by a licensed cleaning company. MOM rules prohibit direct engagement of foreign workers as freelance part-time help. Doing so exposes the homeowner to S$5,000-10,000 fines and a 2-year ban on hiring domestic helpers. Singaporean/PR freelancers can be hired directly but are far rarer than most homeowners expect.

For licensed companies, check ACRA registration and whether the company itself holds the MOM-issued cleaning business licence if deploying foreign workers. Ask how long the company has operated and whether the actual helper assigned will be the same one each week — a legitimate company matches you with a regular helper; a booking middleman sends whoever's available.

Ask about public liability insurance (S$500k minimum standard) — if the helper breaks your TV or scratches a marble counter, insurance covers replacement. Freelancers and grey-market arrangements carry zero insurance.

Check the substitute policy. Helpers get sick, take leave, or change companies. A legitimate operator sends a trained substitute within 24 hours; an informal arrangement just vanishes until your regular person returns.

Verify scope and equipment. Some companies provide cleaning equipment and supplies; others expect the homeowner to supply. Either model is fine — the quote should be explicit.

Prices are estimates as of 2026 and may vary based on scope, urgency, and property type. Get exact quotes for free.

HDB flats: the bulk of part-time cleaning bookings. A 4-room HDB weekly clean (3-4 hours) runs S$72-100 including basic equipment and supplies. Homeowners typically supply specialty items (marble cleaner, appliance-specific products). Two-slot weekly arrangements combining housekeeping and ironing are common at S$130-200/week.

Condominiums: 15-25% higher rates due to guardhouse registration and, in some MCSTs, restricted cleaner hours (weekdays only 9am-6pm). Larger 3-bedroom units (110 sqm+) typically need a 4-hour minimum rather than 3. Rates run S$85-140/session.

Landed properties: 3-storey homes need 4-6 hour sessions minimum to cover all floors and outdoor areas. Weekly rates run S$120-220/session for one helper, or S$220-400 for a two-helper team covering the home in half the time. Gardens and balconies are typically excluded unless specified upfront.

Foreign helper offered as 'freelance' without licensed company: Illegal under MOM rules. The fine and 2-year hiring ban hit the homeowner, not just the cleaner.

No contract or invoicing: Informal cash arrangements with no paperwork are the grey-market pattern. Without paperwork, you can't claim insurance on damage, file a CASE complaint, or prove the work was done.

S$10-12/hour rates: Below-market rates almost always signal a subcontracted undocumented worker. When MOM raids, the homeowner pays the fine.

Constant helper rotation: If you get a different helper each visit, you're dealing with a booking middleman, not a proper company. Quality drops fast because no one person knows your home's quirks.

Refusing to provide helper work-permit or IC number: For licensed engagements, the helper's work status should be documentable. Refusal means the deployment may not be legitimate.

How many Part-time Helper providers are on KakiList?

We currently list 133 verified Part-time Helper providers serving Singapore. New providers are added regularly after verification.

Is KakiList free to use?

Yes, KakiList is completely free for homeowners. There are no platform fees, no middleman charges, and no hidden costs. You contact providers directly via WhatsApp or phone.

How are Part-time Helper providers verified?

Providers with a verified badge have submitted their ACRA business registration number. All providers also display their real Google reviews and ratings for transparency.

How do I get Part-time Helper quotes?

Use our free quote tool to describe your job. We'll match you with up to 5 verified providers who will contact you directly on WhatsApp with their quotes. No obligation.

What is the average rating of Part-time Helper providers on KakiList?

The average Google rating across our Part-time Helper providers is 4.5★ out of 5.0. We prioritize quality — providers with consistently poor reviews are removed.