Full-Time vs Contract Maids in Dubai: Which Option Saves You More? (2025 Guide)

Introduction

Choosing between a full-time live-in maid and a contract/part-time maid in Dubai affects day-to-day routines, privacy, and total cost across the year. The best route depends on the size of your home, the number of hours you realistically need each week, and how much flexibility you expect. This guide explains the money side, the rules, and a simple way to pinpoint the moment when full-time becomes cheaper than contract hours—so you can pick the option that actually fits your life.

How Maid Hiring Works in Dubai (2025 Overview)

In Dubai, families generally choose one of two routes. With a full-time, live-in maid, you act as the sponsor. That means handling visa processing, medical checks, health insurance, salary via WPS, and providing accommodation and meals. The upside is continuity and flexible coverage throughout the week. The trade-off is a steady monthly cost and the admin that comes with sponsorship.

Contract or part-time maids are sponsored by licensed agencies or Tadbeer centers. You pay for blocks of hours each week or month, and the agency manages visas, insurance, training, and replacements if someone is off sick or on leave. This model gives you predictable hourly pricing and fewer obligations, but less flexibility for last-minute needs or overnight support. For background on worker insurance in the UAE, see Domestic Worker Insurance Requirements and Benefits in UAE.

Cost Breakdown: Full-Time vs Contract Maids

Before comparing line items, decide how many hours you need in a typical week, then consider seasonal highs (guests, school holidays, Ramadan). Those factors often swing the decision more than any single fee.

Full-Time Maids (Live-In)

The full-time route concentrates costs at the household level: you carry accommodation and food, absorb visa-related fees, and factor in leave coverage. Families who need help daily often find the higher baseline worthwhile due to consistent presence and broader support.

Contract/Part-Time Maids (Through Agency)

Contract packages work best when your home is easy to maintain with focused sessions. Check whether agencies bring supplies, charge transport, or have peak-hour surcharges. If you require child care, meal prep, or specialized cleaning, ask for an itemized rate card.

Hidden Costs Many Families Miss

A few items can tilt the math if they’re not planned for. Transport fees may apply to some communities, and peak-hour surcharges can raise the hourly rate. Overtime during holidays or events can add up for full-time maids if you often host. Consumables—cleaners, gloves, vacuum bags—are minor individually but noticeable over a year if you supply everything yourself. Also clarify who pays for accidental damage, and confirm add-on rates for tasks like childcare, elder support, cooking, or pet care. These extras are common, and prices vary.

Cost Examples and Monthly Budgets

A typical full-time mid-range budget often looks like this: salary around 2,200 AED/month, insurance around 80 AED/month, and visa/medicals annualized at about 700 AED/month (roughly 8,400 AED/year). Add 1,200 AED for food/utilities and 150 AED for incidentals, bringing the monthly total to roughly 4,330 AED. In the first year, a one-time recruitment fee can add another 350–600 AED/month when annualized.

By contrast, a contract arrangement of 12 hours per week at 45 AED/hour comes to about 52 hours per month (12 × 4.33), which is roughly 2,340 AED/month. Don’t forget potential transport or peak-hour fees, which can push the number higher in some areas or time windows.

Legal & Regulatory Differences (2025 Update)

The rules set expectations for both sides and reduce confusion later. Full-time maids are sponsored by the employer, while contract maids remain under the agency’s sponsorship. Contracts should be MOHRE-compliant and spell out duties, working hours, rest day, annual leave, and end-of-service terms. Health insurance is required. With salaries, use WPS where applicable and keep records for the entire period of employment.

Rest days and paid leave are standard, and end-of-service benefits apply after a year of continuous work per contract terms. For general guidance, the UAE Government’s domestic helpers portal and MOHRE pages are useful references. See the UAE Government Domestic Helpers Portal and MOHRE Laws & Regulations.

Compliance Checklist

Good record-keeping makes life easier. Keep a signed MOHRE contract that clearly lists job duties, save WPS salary confirmations, and store health insurance details. Track visa and Emirates ID validity, maintain a leave calendar, and ensure your home offers a private, safe space for live-in staff. A simple emergency contact sheet with clinic details and phone numbers helps everyone respond quickly if needed.

Pros & Cons: Full-Time vs Contract Maids

Both models can work well—your usage pattern and priorities decide which fits better.

With a full-time maid, you gain steady support across the week. This consistency helps with routines for children, seniors, and pets, and allows for flexible timing such as early mornings or weekend events. The trade-offs are a higher monthly outlay once all costs are included and added admin around visas, insurance, WPS, and planning for leave. A live-in setup also means sharing space, so house rules and privacy boundaries should be clear from day one.

A contract maid keeps fixed costs lower if you only need limited hours. Agencies handle vetting, training, insurance, and replacements, which reduces your admin. The downside is limited flexibility: popular time slots book quickly, staff may rotate unless you request the same person, and last-minute or overnight help usually isn’t available. If your needs spike seasonally, many agencies let you add hours or short-term packages.

When Full-Time Makes Sense

If your household needs 30–50 hours of weekly help—or anything close to daily coverage—a full-time hire often delivers better consistency and can be cheaper per hour over the long run. Homes with infants, twins, or complex routines benefit from continuity, especially when you need support at varying times of the day. Villas with gardens, pets, and frequent guests also see a clear advantage in having support on hand.

When Contract/Part-Time Makes Sense

For apartments and townhouses that run on 6–16 hours per week, contract arrangements are usually the easier fit. They work well for singles and couples who travel often and want to avoid steady sponsorship costs. Some families also prefer contract services to maintain strict privacy, scheduling cleanings only when needed.

Real-World Scenarios: Which Maid Option Saves You More?

A large family in a villa often needs daily kitchen cleanup, laundry, ironing, and occasional help with school runs and pet care. Weekly hours can quickly reach 40–50. In this case, a full-time live-in maid provides steady coverage and reduces the hassle of booking multiple sessions each week. The household also benefits from someone who learns routines and preferences over time.

A working couple in a two-bedroom apartment may only need a deep clean once or twice a week. For them, an agency package with two 4-hour sessions usually covers kitchens, bathrooms, and weekly bedding changes. If guests are coming, they can add a one-off session rather than paying for full-time capacity they rarely use.

If an elderly parent lives at home and needs daily supervision, light meals, and gentle reminders, the household might require 30–45 hours per week. Some families go full-time; others combine a full-time maid with periodic nurse visits. The right setup depends on the level of support required and whether medical tasks are involved.

Frequent travelers often prefer the flexibility of contract arrangements. They might schedule pre-trip and post-trip cleanings, plant care, and a fridge check to keep things tidy without a fixed monthly sponsorship cost. If their schedule changes often, agencies can usually shift appointments within reason.

Practical Steps for Dubai Families

Start by writing down everything: cleaning zones, laundry, ironing, meal prep, school runs, pet care, and errands. Run a one-week timing exercise so your estimate isn’t based on guesswork. Once you have hours, get two quotes: one for a full-time arrangement and one for a contract package with similar weekly coverage. Cross-check agency calendars for school terms, Ramadan, summer travel, and holidays, as those spikes can change the math.

If privacy matters, think through a live-in arrangement and whether you can provide a private room. Confirm contract type, WPS payments, insurance, rest day, and leave in writing. A 4–8 week pilot with a contract maid helps establish actual hours; if you consistently cross the break-even threshold, that’s a strong signal to shift to full-time. Document simple SOPs (room checklists, weekly cycles), set review points at 30 and 90 days, and keep a basic contingency plan for leave or illness.

How to Vet Agencies

Spend a few minutes on due diligence. Check the trade license and Tadbeer affiliation, and ask for a clear price list that includes hourly rates, transport charges, and surcharges. Replacement policies should be in writing with timelines and terms. Ask about training on chemicals, laundry care, and child handling. Confirm insurance coverage and how claims are handled. A short list of client references or verifiable reviews adds peace of mind.

Interview Questions for Maids

Use interviews to understand skills and comfort zones rather than just ticking boxes. Ask which cleaning products they use for different surfaces and how they sort laundry. For families with children, discuss age groups they’ve supported and any first-aid basics. Check for pet allergies and comfort, preferred schedules and rest days, and prior experience in villas versus apartments. If meal prep is needed, review kitchen hygiene and sample dishes. It’s also fair to ask about tasks they prefer not to handle—clarity upfront avoids friction later.

Onboarding Plan (First 30–60 Days)

A light structure helps everyone settle in. In the first few days, offer a house tour, review supplies and storage, and cover safety basics such as gas valves, breaker panels, and emergency contacts. In the first week, walk through rooms together to set cleaning standards; photos of “done” rooms are helpful. In week two, introduce a recurring weekly cycle (bedding, descaling, deep-clean zones). By weeks three and four, align timing with real life—school runs, nap windows, pet walks, and quiet hours. By weeks five to eight, finalize SOPs, confirm leave plans, and agree on cover arrangements so there are no gaps when schedules change.

Service Quality: How to Set Clear Standards

Clear expectations keep quality steady without daily reminders. Create room checklists that cover floors, counters, glass, dusting, bins, linens, and towels. Write down laundry rules for temperatures, drying, and stain pre-treatment, and outline kitchen hygiene steps for cutting boards, fridge rotation, sinks, and grease spots. Bathrooms benefit from a set descaling routine, attention to grout, and a quick check of extractor fans. Each quarter, plan deep-clean tasks like carpets, upholstery, windows, AC vents, and the oven. A simple 1–5 scorecard by zone and a brief weekly check-in help spot small issues before they spread.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid off-contract arrangements; fines and disputes can dwarf any short-term savings. When comparing agency offers, include transport costs and peak-hour surcharges so you’re not surprised later. Keep a written duties list so expectations are clear, and do not skip WPS or leave insurance to chance. Plan cover during travel, Ramadan, and school holidays, and keep basic supplies in stock so standards don’t slip. Finally, never mix incompatible chemicals and make sure protective gloves and masks are available when needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it legal to hire a part-time maid directly in Dubai?

No. Part-time or temporary staff must be arranged through a licensed agency or Tadbeer center. Direct hiring without a proper contract can lead to penalties.

What is a typical salary for a live-in maid?

Many families pay 1,500–2,500 AED per month, depending on duties, experience, and language skills. Rates also reflect the scope of work—child care, cooking, and elder support usually sit at the higher end.

Do I have to use WPS for a live-in maid?

Yes, use compliant payment methods and keep proof of every transfer. This protects both employer and worker and simplifies any dispute resolution.

What leave should I plan for?

A weekly rest day and annual leave are standard as per the signed contract and current rules. Keep a shared calendar to plan around travel, school breaks, and major holidays.

What if service quality drops?

Use your written checklist and hold a short weekly review. For contract staff, request the same person each visit or ask the agency for retraining or a replacement. For full-time staff, be clear and fair with feedback and agree on a simple improvement plan.

Can a contract maid handle child care or cooking?

Many agencies offer these services at a higher hourly rate. Confirm training and scope in writing to avoid misunderstandings.

Conclusion & Next Steps

If you consistently need fewer than about 20–24 hours per week, a contract maid usually keeps your costs lower and your admin light. If your home needs daily support or frequent, varied tasks, a full-time maid often wins once you pass the break-even hours. Run the numbers with your real schedule, pilot for a few weeks, and then choose the model that fits your routine and budget.

Ready to compare options for your home in Dubai? Contact ImdadHR for a clear quote, compliant contracts, and flexible packages that match your routine.

• Full-time often pays off above ~22 hours/week; below that, contract hours are usually more economical.
• Budget fully: salary, visa/medicals, insurance, housing, transport, and seasonal peaks.
• Use WPS, keep records, write simple SOPs, and review progress regularly.
• Pilot for 4–8 weeks, then switch models only if your actual hours cross the break-even point.