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Placement fees for a new-hire helper typically run S$1,500–3,500 through Singapore maid agencies; transfer helpers (already in Singapore on a current Work Permit) usually attract a lower fee of S$500–1,500. On top of the placement fee, you will pay your helper's monthly salary — generally S$550–800 depending on nationality and experience — plus the monthly MOM levy of S$300 (standard rate) or S$60 (concessionary rate for households with a child under 16, an elderly member aged 67+, or a person with disability). Confirm what is bundled into the fee: mandatory FDW insurance (~S$300–600 per year), the Settling-In Programme, the pre-employment medical examination, and Work Permit application are standard items that some agencies include and others invoice separately. Get a written cost breakdown before paying. See the full Maid Agencies cost guide for Singapore →

Every legitimate maid agency in Singapore must hold a MOM Employment Agency (EA) Licence — this is a legal requirement, not optional. The licence number should appear on the agency's website, contracts, and invoices, and can be verified in seconds on MOM's online EA directory by searching the agency name or licence number. EA Grading runs from A+ to C; A+ and A indicate stronger compliance records and better complaint-handling history. No MOM EA Licence has been confirmed in the current listing data for 5 Star Maids. Before paying any deposit, verify the licence number directly on the MOM portal. Hiring through an unlicensed agent is illegal, leaves you with no recourse if the helper absconds or the agency ceases trading, and can void your FDW insurance. Verify the EA Licence number on MOM's online EA directory before paying any deposit, and read the agency contract's replacement, refund, and early-termination clauses.

A standard replacement guarantee from a Singapore maid agency typically covers a window of six months from the helper's arrival date, with one or two free replacements included within that period. It is important to understand what voids the guarantee — documented mismatch or helper-initiated departure is usually covered, whereas a change of mind by the employer may not be. Ask how many replacements are included in the fee, what the cost is for additional replacements beyond that allowance, and how long a replacement typically takes to source. Also confirm the early-termination process should the placement break down outside the guarantee window. Repatriation flight costs, Work Permit cancellation paperwork, and any unused MOM levy refund are responsibilities that typically fall on the employer — clarifying these upfront avoids unexpected costs later.