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Placement fees for a new-hire helper typically run S$1,500–3,500 at most Singapore agencies; a transfer helper (already in Singapore on a valid Work Permit) is usually S$500–1,500. On top of the placement fee, budget for the helper's monthly salary (S$550–800 depending on nationality and experience) and the MOM monthly levy — S$300 at the standard rate, or S$60 at the concessionary rate for households with a child under 16, an elderly member aged 67 or above, or a person with disability. Confirm what Albest Resources bundles into its fee: mandatory FDW insurance (roughly S$300–600 per year), the Settling-In Programme, the Work Permit application, and the pre-employment medical exam are often included by reputable agencies but billed separately by others. Get a full written breakdown before paying any deposit. See the full maid agency cost guide for Singapore →

Every legitimate agency placing foreign domestic workers in Singapore must hold an MOM Employment Agency (EA) Licence — verifiable by name or licence number on MOM's online EA directory. No EA Licence number appears in Albest Resources' current listing data, so families should ask the agency for their licence number directly and cross-check it on the MOM portal before paying any deposit or signing a contract. EA Grading runs from A+ to C; A+ and A grades signal stronger compliance and complaint-handling records. Hiring through an unlicensed agent is illegal, leaves you with no recourse if the helper absconds or the agency folds, 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.

The standard replacement window at most Singapore maid agencies is six months from the helper's arrival date. Within that window, a free or reduced-cost replacement is typically offered if there is a documented mismatch — for example, skills not matching the stated profile, or a care need the helper cannot meet. Confirm how many replacements are included, what circumstances void the guarantee, and the cost of any additional replacement beyond the covered number. Also clarify the early-termination process in full: if a placement breaks down outside the guarantee window, the household is responsible for the helper's repatriation flight, the refund of any unused MOM levy, and Work Permit cancellation paperwork. These costs can add up to S$1,000 or more and should be factored into the decision before committing. Contact Albest Resources directly to get the replacement terms and early-termination policy in writing before signing.