Doha - Post Report Question and Answers
What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Most of my friends have helpers/cleaners but I am not sure of the costs. They are always listed on our compound Facebook page, where you can buy and sell things or place ads for housekeepers looking for work. - Oct 2023
Very available. We had a part-time house cleaner who came twice a week. Others hire full-time, live-in help. You will probably go through a few people to find the right fit. Note if you have full-time, you have to fully sponsor them (housing, a trip back home once a year, etc). It can add up so just be aware and talk to HR about all of the rules you need to follow. - Jul 2022
Household help is not inexpensive (about 1,000 USD per month for a live in). You will also need to provide live-in helpers with meals, one round-trip home each year, and whatever is needed for working in the home. - Apr 2021
If you're looking for a live-in, the market is extremely tough. Everyone is always looking for good quality help, which is typically Filipino. Be prepared to put on the gloves, as it can be a fight to secure the live-in you really want. Expect to pay for the "13th month" of salary, plus a plane ticket to their home country once a year, as this is local law.
If you're looking simply for a live-out person to clean, the pricing is pretty great. I think four hours runs us like $60, including tip. Really good value. - May 2017
All types of household help are available and affordable. Many homes employ live-in nannies and housekeepers. If you don't need a live-in, a rent-a-maid will clean your house for four hours for about $35 USD. - May 2017
expensive. - May 2015
Pretty available and pretty cheap, but generally hard to find good ones. We don't have kids so we just have someone else's maid come once a week to clean, and she's great, but most other people seem to only have complaints about their maids. - Feb 2015
Available and affordable. We have a live-in maid who has made my life so much easier! - Apr 2012
Expensive filipino housemaids. - Mar 2012
You can get one for $7 or $8 hour, or less if you have a live-in maid. - Mar 2012
Domestic help is quite affordable. We pay $450/month for a live-in maid who is AWESOME.This is a bit on the high side. However, it is best to inherit a maid from a departing expat who can offer solid references, as quality of service can very. - Jan 2012
Most everyone has help. You can either grab help from someone who is leaving or fly someone in. The costs are getting more expensive. Paying about $400-$500 a month for a live-in is typical but they are getting more expensive. - Oct 2010
Available mostly from the Phillipines or Sri Lanka. Most want sponsorship and live-in. We pay about $500/month for a live-in helper. - Dec 2009
You can have your very own slave for quite cheap, but why on earth would you debase your humanity by engaging in and condoning a system of indentured servitude? - Sep 2008
