Though full-time maids are comparatively expensive in Abu Dhabi, they come with a lot of benefits. In cases where you’re too busy to give your home your full time, having a live-in maid may be the solution. If you often find yourself exhausted, this is your sign to take a much-needed break and book a full-time maid in Abu Dhabi.
By taking the important aspects into consideration like the type of maid you require, the cost of a full-time maid, visa, and other expenses, the whole decision-making process will be easier. Before you start the process, know that full-time maids are available on a live-in and live-out basis, so you can choose accordingly.
The Cost of a Full-Time Maid
The overall charges of a full-time maid depend upon whether you require a live-in or live-out maid. These may also vary according to the services provided, salaries, and other costs. In comparison to a live-out maid in Abu Dhabi, a live-in maid is a bit expensive.
We’ve put together the following table to help you compare the costs.
| Full-time Live-in Maid | Cleaning Company |
| Initial cost: Recruitment Cost: Established recruitment agencies in Abu Dhabi charge a one-time recruitment fee of AED 15,000 to AED 18,000. It includes their finder’s fee and the cost of flying them in. Sponsorship: You will have to pay AED 12,500 every year (which works out to be a little over AED 1,000 per month) for your maid’s visa renewal/sponsorship and associated documentation. | Initial cost: You can typically pay a cleaning company the same day as the service and there are no additional costs. If you are looking to book a daily recurring booking with the same maid then some maid companies will ask you to pay for the month upfront. |
| Monthly salary: The average salary for a full-time live-in maid in Abu Dhabi is AED 1,700 – 2,800, but it depends on your agreement with the maid, and their nationality as there are minimum salaries in place dependent on their passport. You might also have to pay for additional benefits like money for food and toiletries. | Monthly fee: Cleaning companies in Abu Dhabi typically charge between AED 30 – 40 an hour so you can expect to pay AED 4,800 – 6,400 a month for a maid who works 40 hours per week. That said, some companies will offer discounts for long-term bookings so you will be able to get a reduced rate as long as you can commit to a set number of hours in advance. The fee will increase if you require additional services such as babysitting. You will typically be asked to pay at the beginning or end of every month. |
| Additional costs: You can expect to pay approximately AED 3,000 a month in addition to the costs mentioned above. The additional costs include the following: Accommodation: if you are renting your home, you might have to pay more to provide a room for the maid. Medical insurance and flights: Around AED 1,000 per month (depending on the medical insurance and flights you select) Miscellaneous expenses: You should add a few hundred dirhams to your monthly budget for other expenses like phone, furniture, and food. | Additional costs: Since the maid agency will take care of all additional costs such as accommodation, medical insurance, food and flights, etc., you usually will not have to pay any additional costs. |
| Total: Around AED 75,000 per year and a one-time recruitment cost of AED 15,000 – 18,000 | Total: Around AED 62,000 per year |
Disclaimer: The prices mentioned above are estimates and are subject to change.
Factors Affecting the Cost of a Full-Time Maid
Various factors can impact the cost of a full-time maid, be it a live-in or a live-out maid.
Type of Services
If you’re comfortable with another person living in your house with your family, you might want to opt for a live-in maid. These helpers can assist with several different tasks around the house. The tasks can include cooking, and even babysitting, depending upon your initial agreement with the maid.
On the contrary, a live-out maid comes at a set schedule and is contracted to your home, but has a separate accommodation. Even though live-out maids help out with a number of tasks, they might charge extra for additional services like babysitting.
Recruitment Costs and Other Deposits
Costs and deposits of full-time maids are decided by Tadbeer, an agency of the government. This agency requires a one-off finder’s fee to find the right person for recruitment and fly them in. Furthermore, they aid residents in applying for a maid’s visa. However, there are certain companies like ServiceMarket, that even take care of visa acquisition for you.
On the other hand, the initial deposit for a live-out maid is less than that of a live-in maid. Refundable deposits have to be paid to certain agencies when signing contracts, as a form of commitment. When the contract ends, you get this deposit back.
Monthly Fees and Salaries
Live-in maids’ salaries are agreed upon during the interview process between the maid and the employer. With the provision of additional benefits, the salary can vary depending on the agreement. Whereas, the monthly salary or fee for a live-out maid is decided based on the type and extent of services required, the agency, and the contract duration.
Additional Expenses
You might have to incur additional costs for a live-in maid depending on housing, food, sponsorship, medical insurance, and annual flights. You can either let the maid lodge inside your house or pay for her housing if there’s no space in your home.
Moreover, applying for a maid’s visa requires a separate charge of AED 5,000 to AED 5,500 annually. Furthermore, medical insurance charges add up to another AED 5,000 to AED 10,000 yearly. Additionally, the cost of annual flights may vary according to the destination and airline you choose.
Contrary to this, live-out maids cost none of the above-mentioned charges as they are all covered by the agency that recruits them.
Conclusion
While hiring a full-time maid, you need to clarify whether a live-in or live-out maid would be more suitable for you. If you’re on a budget, check for the cost of a full-time maid offered by different companies, compare the rates, and choose a suitable match.
If you don’t know where to start, check out ServiceMarket for quotes to hire a maid in Abu Dhabi by mentioning the details of the services you require.
