Updated 7 July 2026
The Complete Guide to Cleaning Services & Domestic Employment in Centurion
Eight free interactive tools covering the questions South African homeowners search for most — cleaning costs, UIF compliance, domestic worker employment law, deep clean scope, and the true cost comparison between hiring your own worker and using a registered cleaning company.
All tools on this page are based on current South African law and 2026 market rates. Legal thresholds are dated and sourced — check back annually as the national minimum wage and UIF rates are updated each March.
On this page — eight tools, five pain points
What you need to know first
In South Africa, "cleaning service" can mean three very different things: an individual domestic worker paid a day rate; an informal char arrangement; or a registered cleaning company with employed staff. Each has a different cost structure, a different legal relationship, and a different accountability framework. Most of the confusion in this space — about cost, compliance, and value — comes from comparing these three things as if they were the same. They are not.
What does professional cleaning cost in Centurion?
Cleaning rates in South Africa range from R63/hour to R220/hour for what search results describe as the same "regular domestic cleaning." The reason the range is so wide isn't because some companies are overcharging — it's because they're describing three fundamentally different service models. An individual day-rate worker, an informal arrangement, and an insured registered company with vetted staff and their own products are priced differently because they are different things.
The short answer
A regular clean for a 2–3 bedroom Centurion home costs R350–R750 per session with a registered cleaning company in 2026. A 4–5 bedroom home costs R600–R1 200. Frequency discounts of 5–10% apply for weekly bookings. Deep cleans cost 1.5–2× more. Individual or informal arrangements cost less but carry no formal employment structure or accountability.
Cleaning service types and what they actually cost
| Service model | Typical rate | What you get | Legal relationship |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered cleaning company | R350–R1 200/session | Employed team, company products, formal complaints process, backup staff if unavailable | You pay a service fee. Employment obligations rest with the company. |
| Private hire (direct employment) | R100–R220/day or R30–R80/hour | Individual worker, flexible, personal relationship — but no backup, no structure | You are the employer. UIF, COID, contracts, payslips are your responsibility. |
| Informal char / once-off | R120–R350/session | Flexible, no commitment, often cash — but no accountability and legal status is ambiguous | Unclear — depending on frequency and hours, employment obligations may still apply |
Bottom line:Compare within the same category. A registered company's session rate is not comparable to an informal individual's day rate — they are different products with different legal structures and accountability models. The true cost comparison (including statutory compliance costs for private hire) is covered in the Agency vs Private Hire tool further down this page.
Tool 1 — Cleaning time & cost estimator
Enter your home size, frequency, and a few adjusters (pets, extra bathrooms, open-plan living) and get a personalised estimate — session rate, monthly budget, and annual cost — based on 2026 Centurion market rates for registered cleaning companies. Frequency discounts are applied automatically.
Cleaning time & cost estimator
Estimate how long a professional clean takes and what it costs based on your home. Rates reflect registered Centurion cleaning companies, 2026.
✓ 5% frequency discount typically applied by companies
Do you need a deep clean or a regular clean?
A standard clean for a 3 bed home might cost R500–R750. A “deep clean” for the same home often costs R1 800–R2 100 — roughly 2–3 times more. The budget shock is real. So is the confusion, because “deep clean” is not a standardised term in South Africa. What one company includes in a deep clean, another calls a regular clean. This section defines the difference concretely and helps you decide which you actually need — before you call anyone.
The practical distinction
A regular clean maintains a clean home. A deep clean resets one that has accumulated buildup in areas a regular clean deliberately skips — oven interior, grout lines, inside cupboards, behind furniture, skirting boards. If a quote is only marginally higher than a regular clean, it is probably not a genuine deep clean.
Tool 2 — Deep clean or regular clean decision tool
Six questions about your home's current state — last professional clean, visible buildup, whether you're moving, pets, post-renovation, or hosting an event — produce one of three verdicts: deep clean, thorough regular clean, or standard maintenance clean. Each verdict includes a cost note and a specific booking tip.
Deep clean or regular clean?
Answer a few questions — we'll tell you which type of clean your home actually needs and why.
When was the last time your home had a professional clean?
Are there areas of visible grime, grease, or staining that haven't been addressed in a regular clean?
Oven interior, shower grout, behind the toilet, inside kitchen cupboards.
Is this for a move-in, move-out, or change of occupancy?
Has any building, painting, or renovation work been done recently?
Building dust and paint residue require specialist products — regular cleaning products won't remove them effectively.
Are there pets in the home, particularly dogs or cats that shed?
Pet hair accumulates behind furniture, in vents, and under beds in a way regular weekly cleaning may not reach.
Are you preparing for a significant event — a family gathering, a property inspection, or putting the house on the market?
Move-in / move-out cleaning in Centurion
Move-in and move-out cleans are a specific trigger moment — a fixed deadline, an agent or landlord standard to meet, and real financial consequences if the property doesn't pass inspection. A standard deep clean is not always sufficient; the scope for a change-of-occupancy clean is the most comprehensive of any cleaning type and it must be confirmed in writing before the team arrives.
Move-in/move-out packages in Centurion typically run R1 200–R2 500, with the upper end for larger properties in poor condition. That range is wide because condition matters enormously — a 3 bed house left in poor condition takes 3–4× as long to clean as one left in good condition.
Tool 3 — Move-in / move-out cost estimator & scope checklist
This tool does two things: it estimates the cost of a professional move-in or move-out clean based on property type, size, and condition — and it generates the full scope checklist (five sections: kitchen, bathrooms, all rooms, living areas, and final checks) that you can share with any cleaning company before booking to confirm exactly what is and isn't included. A verbal agreement about scope is not enough; getting it in writing prevents deposit disputes.
Move-in / move-out cleaning estimator
Estimate the cost of a professional move-in or move-out clean, and generate a scope checklist you can share with any cleaning company before booking.
Property type
Property size
Property condition
Included in scope? (affects estimate)
What should your clean actually include?
The most common cleaning complaint in South Africa is not about the quality of the work — it's about scope disagreement. A homeowner expects the oven to be done; the company didn't include it. The grout wasn't scrubbed; the company says that's a deep clean extra. The inside of the cupboards wasn't touched; the company says they only quoted a regular clean.
These disputes are almost always preventable — if the homeowner knew in advance what each tier should and shouldn't include, they could ask the right questions before booking. This tool gives you that list.
Tool 4 — Cleaning scope checker
Choose a cleaning type (regular, deep, move-in/out, post-renovation) and see the exact itemised scope list — what should be included, what is typically excluded, and the specific questions to ask any company before you book. Use the checklist as a reference when reviewing any quote.
What should your clean actually include?
“Deep clean” is not a standardised term — one company's deep clean is another's standard clean with a higher price tag. Choose the type of clean you need and see the exact scope of tasks you should expect — and the questions to ask any company before you book.
The true cost of hiring a domestic worker directly
Most homeowners hiring a domestic worker for the first time think of it as an informal cash arrangement — a wage, a time, a handshake. What they don't know until they discover it the hard way: hiring a domestic worker directly makes you a legal employer under the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, with enforceable obligations that most households are entirely unaware of.
The obligations that apply from day one of direct employment:
- →Written employment contract — required immediately, even for one day per week. Verbal agreements meet no legal standard.
- →National minimum wage — R30.23/hour from 1 March 2026. No exceptions for part-time, casual, or "just helping out."
- →UIF registration — mandatory if the worker exceeds 24 hours per month. Employer contributes 1%, worker contributes 1%, submitted monthly via uFiling.
- →COID registration — required since January 2024. If your worker is injured in your home, the Compensation Fund covers them — but only if you are registered.
- →Payslip — required every pay period. Shows gross wage, deductions, and net pay. Can be written or WhatsApp-sent.
- →Annual leave — 15 working days per year, accruing from day one. Cannot be paid out instead of taken.
Sources: Basic Conditions of Employment Act (75 of 1997), National Minimum Wage Act (9 of 2018), Unemployment Insurance Act (63 of 2001), COIDA amendment (Act 10 of 2023), DoEL gazette March 2026.
Why this matters in practice
A worker who isn't paid the minimum wage can lodge a complaint with the Department of Employment and Labour with no notice — and back-payment orders are enforced. A worker not covered by COID who is injured in your home may have grounds for personal liability against you. UIF arrears attract interest. None of these are theoretical — they come up regularly in CCMA referrals and labour inspections. The cost of non-compliance is almost always higher than the cost of getting it right from the start.
Tool 5 — Domestic worker true cost of employment calculator
Enter the wage you're offering (hourly or monthly), hours per week, and live-in or live-out arrangement. The calculator outputs your full legally-compliant monthly cost — gross wage, UIF (your contribution and the worker's), an estimated COID provision, and the monthly leave accrual value. It also flags immediately and in red if the wage you've entered falls below R30.23/hour, before you make a commitment you'll need to correct later. The breakdown of what the worker actually receives (gross minus their 1% UIF) is shown separately so both sides of the arrangement are visible.
Domestic worker true cost of employment
Most homeowners only budget for the wage. This calculator shows your full legally-compliant monthly cost — including UIF, COID, and leave accrual — and flags immediately if the wage you're offering falls below the current national minimum (R30.23/hour from March 2026).
How are you thinking about the wage?
Minimum wage for domestic workers: R30.23/hour from 1 March 2026.
UIF registration is required once a worker exceeds 24 hours per month.
Arrangement
UIF & minimum wage — are you currently compliant?
The UIF question is the most frequently searched legal question for South African domestic employers — not because the UIF itself is complicated, but because most people don't know the 24-hour per month threshold exists. Below that threshold, registration is not mandatory (though voluntary registration is possible and worth considering). Above it, registration is a legal obligation from the first pay period the threshold is crossed — not from when you discover the rule.
The UIF contribution itself is small: 1% of gross wage from you, 1% from the worker, paid monthly via uFiling (free, no agent required). The psychological pain point is not the cost — it's not knowing whether it applies to you, and fear of getting it wrong. This tool resolves that in three questions.
Tool 6 — UIF & minimum wage compliance checker
A step-by-step wizard — three inputs (hours per month, hourly wage, live-in or live-out) — that produces one clear compliance verdict and a complete, itemised to-do list with direct links to uFiling and the Department of Employment and Labour. Every item is tagged as "Required by law" or "Recommended" so you know what is optional and what is not. The goal is to convert legal anxiety into a specific, actionable checklist you can work through in an afternoon.
UIF & minimum wage compliance checker
Answer three questions and get a plain-language compliance verdict plus a step-by-step checklist of exactly what you still need to do. No jargon. No guessing. No surprises from a labour inspector.
1. How many hours per month does / will the worker work?
This determines whether UIF registration is legally required (the threshold is 24 hours/month).
Agency or platform vs private hire — the honest comparison
The comparison almost everyone gets wrong: they take the private hire's wage number and compare it to the agency's all-in rate. That's not a fair comparison — it's comparing cost without UIF, COID, or leave against cost with all of that already folded in. The true all-in monthly cost of a private hire, once you add the statutory requirements, is typically 15–25% higher than the wage alone.
This doesn't mean agency/platform is always the right choice — it depends on the hours needed, what you value, and what the agency actually charges. The point is that the comparison should be made with real numbers, not a wage against an all-in rate, because that comparison will always make private hire look cheaper than it actually is.
| Factor | Registered company / platform | Private hire (direct employment) |
|---|---|---|
| All-in monthly cost | One rate — everything included | Wage + UIF + COID + leave + your admin time |
| Legal employer obligations | Company's responsibility | Your responsibility — contracts, UIF, COID, payslips |
| Backup if worker unavailable | Company sends replacement | No backup — you manage the gap |
| Damage or theft | Formal complaints process | Depends entirely on individual — no formal recourse |
| Relationship continuity | Team consistency — varies by company | Personal relationship — high continuity, high disruption when it ends |
| Flexibility | Defined by company's schedule | Flexible — but you negotiate directly |
Bottom line: Neither option is objectively better. Agency and platform cleaning suits homeowners who want simplicity — one invoice, no compliance overhead, a backup when someone is sick. Private hire suits homeowners who value a long-term personal relationship and are willing to handle the employment administration properly. The key is making the decision with accurate numbers, not an unfair comparison.
Tool 7 — Agency vs private hire true cost comparator
Enter the hours of cleaning you need per week, the wage you'd pay a private hire, and the agency's rate. The calculator builds both sides of the comparison properly: private hire with all statutory costs included (UIF, COID, leave, your admin time valued at a rate you set), versus the agency's all-in monthly cost. The result shows which option costs more and by how much — and what the agency rate includes that the raw wage comparison leaves out. If the private hire wage you enter is below the legal minimum, it flags that too.
Agency / platform vs private hire — true cost comparison
Most people compare a private hire's wage against an agency's all-in rate — which isn't a fair comparison at all. This tool builds the real total monthly cost of each option, including UIF, COID, leave, and your own admin time. The result often surprises people in both directions.
Private hire
Agency / platform
Include all agency fees — this should be the total you pay the company per session.
Tracking leave & overtime — for employers who already have someone
The previous tools help you make a decision. This one is for after the decision is made — for the employer who already has a domestic worker and needs to track annual leave accrual, sick leave cycles, and overtime rates accurately month to month.
Most employers get this wrong in one of two ways: they either deny leave they are legally required to grant (because they're not tracking it), or they grant leave on request without knowing the actual balance — which can create a situation where a worker has already taken more than their entitlement without anyone noticing. Neither is comfortable to resolve.
The sick leave cycle — the part most employers get wrong
Domestic workers are entitled to 6 weeks of sick leave per 36-month cycle (not 6 weeks per year). In the first 6 months of employment, the entitlement is limited to 1 day per 26 days worked — after that, the full 6-week cycle applies. “6 weeks” is measured in working days, not calendar days — so for a worker who comes 3 days per week, 6 weeks of sick leave equals 18 working days. The cycle resets every 36 months, unused sick leave does not carry over, and a doctor's certificate is required for more than 2 consecutive days off sick, or more than 2 sick leave instances in any 8-week period.
Tool 8 — Leave & overtime tracker
Enter your worker's start date, working hours, and days per week. The tracker calculates the current annual leave balance (days accrued, days taken, days remaining), the sick leave cycle (current period, total entitlement, remaining balance), and shows the overtime rules that apply to the arrangement — including the correct rates for standard overtime (1.5×), unscheduled Sundays (2×), and public holidays. Bookmark this page and update the leave-taken fields monthly — the balances recalculate automatically as time passes and more leave accrues.
Leave & overtime tracker
An ongoing tool — not a once-off calculator. Enter your worker's start date and hours, and track leave accrual, sick leave cycles, and overtime rules accurately month to month.
Bookmark this page and update the “leave taken” fields monthly. The numbers update automatically as time passes and more leave accrues.
Arrangement
Sick leave entitlement is calculated in working days, not hours — this affects the calculation.
How to verify a cleaning company or domestic worker
The trust question is about safety, not price. Giving someone access to your home — often unsupervised, sometimes with a key — requires a level of trust that most informal arrangements don't structurally support. There is no national registration body for cleaning in South Africa, so verification rests on a combination of signals.
| Signal | What it tells you | What it doesn't tell you |
|---|---|---|
| CIPC registration | The business legally exists. Verify at cipc.co.za in 2 minutes. A registered company has a director with a verifiable identity. | Whether the company is good at cleaning. CIPC confirms existence, not quality. |
| Verified reviews from real bookings | What actual clients experienced. Platform reviews tied to confirmed bookings are more reliable than open directories. | Whether that reviewer's situation matches yours. |
| SA ID verification of staff | The person is who they say they are. A company that IDs staff at onboarding provides a guarantee informal arrangements lack entirely. | Behaviour history. ID verification is not a criminal background check. |
| Client references | Whether the company or individual has sustained a positive working relationship. | Much, if references were cherry-picked. Ask for a recent, contactable reference. |
| Public liability insurance | If the company causes damage, there is a claim mechanism. | What the policy covers. Ask to see the document, not just a claim it exists. |
A written contract is a safety mechanism, not just a legal formality
A domestic worker contract creates a legal record and establishes mutual expectations before ambiguity becomes a dispute. It protects both parties — the worker knows what is expected; the employer has recourse if something goes wrong. Free templates are at labour.gov.za. A WhatsApp-photographed signed copy is legally adequate evidence.
BCEA minimum requirements
- →Employer and worker name and address
- →Start date
- →Job description and duties
- →Ordinary hours and days of work
- →Wage rate, method, and payment frequency
- →Leave entitlement (annual and sick)
- →Notice period
Practical additions that prevent disputes
- →Rooms and areas included in scope
- →Who supplies products
- →Key and alarm code handling protocol
- →Process for reporting damage or breakages
- →What happens if the worker is unavailable
- →Deductions for accommodation (live-in only)
When to book — seasonal demand in Centurion
Cleaning demand in Centurion follows predictable patterns. Well-reviewed companies fill up weeks ahead at peak periods — booking early prevents the frustration of calling around with a fixed deadline.
October – November
Spring deep clean surge
The most common trigger for first-ever deep cleans and first-time professional bookings. Families open the house after winter, notice what accumulated, and start calling. Book by late September for October availability with well-reviewed companies.
December – January
Holiday and handover peak
The busiest month for move-out cleans (lease ends) and pre-hosting deep cleans. Availability is tightest in the first two weeks of December. January brings high demand for new regular cleaning arrangements as households return to routine.
March – April
Month-end lease transfer season
A predictable spike in move-in/move-out demand in Lyttelton, Wierdapark, and Eldoraigne. If your lease ends 31 March or 30 April, don't leave the cleaning booking to the last week — slots fill faster than most people expect.
June – July
Winter — better availability
The best time to book a first appointment with a company, negotiate a regular schedule, or get a same-week deep clean. Some companies offer incentive rates for new regular clients in winter. Wet surfaces dry slowly — factor this into post-renovation booking timing.
How TradesHub verifies cleaning companies
TradesHub lists registered cleaning companies only — not individual domestic workers. Verification at onboarding:
01
CIPC registration confirmed
Company registration number verified against the CIPC register before the profile goes live. Establishes that the business legally exists and identifies the registered director.
02
Operating history checked
Company must have been operating for at least 6 months and provide evidence of prior client engagements — invoices, contracts, or contactable references.
03
Verified booking reviews only
Only homeowners who booked and used a company through the platform can leave a review. No anonymous ratings, no self-submitted testimonials.
Cleaning in Centurion — what's different by property type
Sectional title / townhouse complexes
Centurion has a high proportion of sectional title and complex living — Wierdapark, Thatchfield, Highveld, and much of Eldoraigne. Individual units are typically 80–150m², with cleaning time closer to the “small” to “medium” band in the cost estimator. Body corporate common areas are a separate contract — a registered cleaning company can often quote for both the individual unit and the common areas as a package.
Freestanding homes (Lyttelton, Irene, Eldoraigne)
Larger floor areas, multiple levels in many cases, and sometimes a domestic worker's quarters or outbuilding. Deep cleans on properties not maintained regularly here can run to the upper end of the “large home” band, particularly in older Lyttelton and Eldoraigne homes where buildup in older kitchens and tiled bathrooms takes significantly longer to address properly.
Smallholdings (Irene, Kosmosdal environs)
Irene's smallholding stock is genuinely large — some properties run to 300m² of living area or more, with separate outbuildings, storerooms, and extensive outdoor entertainment areas. These properties often need a team of three or more for a full-day clean. The “extra large” tier in the cost estimator is the starting point, but a direct quote is essential for any smallholding — the range is too wide to estimate reliably.
Airbnb & short-let properties
Centurion's proximity to corporate hubs in Midrand and the Gautrain has created a significant short-let market. Turnaround cleaning between guests is time-critical and scope-specific — fresh linen, restocked supplies, a damage reporting process. Not every cleaning company offers this; specifically ask when booking whether the company has experience with short-let turnovers and what their reporting protocol is if something is damaged.
Verified cleaning companies in Centurion
Registered companies verified by CIPC registration number before their profile goes live. View full profiles, availability, and reviews before booking.
Ready to book?
Verified Cleaning professionals near you
Sparkle Clean Co (Pty) Ltd
Home Services
- ID verified
- Trade registered
- Insured
Identity verified only — qualifications not checked.
Ready to book?
Browse verified cleaning companies →This guide is updated annually as minimum wage rates and legislation change.
Last updated: 7 July 2026
Cleaning & domestic employment FAQs — South Africa
How much does a cleaning company charge in Centurion in 2026?
Registered cleaning companies in Centurion typically charge R350–R650 per session for a regular clean of a 2–3 bedroom home, and R600–R1 000 for a larger 4–5 bedroom home. Deep cleans cost 1.5–2× the regular rate (R900–R2 100 for most homes). Move-in/move-out cleans range from R1 200 to R2 500+ depending on property size and condition. Individual cleaners — not employed by a registered company — tend to charge less but come with no formal accountability structure. Use the Cleaning Cost Estimator on this page for a personalised estimate.
Do I need to register for UIF if I hire a domestic worker in South Africa?
Yes, if the domestic worker works more than 24 hours per month in your home. UIF registration is mandatory above that threshold — you contribute 1% of gross wages, the worker contributes 1% (deducted from their pay), and you submit and pay monthly via uFiling (free online). Workers below 24 hours/month are exempt, but voluntary registration is worth considering since it gives the worker access to unemployment and maternity benefits. Use the UIF & Minimum Wage Compliance Checker on this page to get your specific situation assessed.
What is the minimum wage for a domestic worker in South Africa in 2026?
The national minimum wage for domestic workers in South Africa is R30.23 per hour from 1 March 2026, as gazetted by the Department of Employment and Labour. This applies to all domestic workers including part-time help — there is no minimum-hour threshold below which the minimum wage does not apply. Paying below this rate is a contravention of the National Minimum Wage Act and can result in back-payment orders. The Domestic Worker True Cost Calculator on this page flags minimum wage violations immediately.
Is it cheaper to hire my own domestic worker or use a cleaning company?
The honest answer: it depends on what you include in the comparison. A private hire's sticker price looks lower, but a fully legal private hire also costs you UIF, COID, leave accrual, and your own time managing payslips and compliance — typically adding 15–25% to the wage cost. A registered cleaning company folds all of that into their rate. The Agency vs Private Hire Cost Comparator on this page builds a true side-by-side comparison with all statutory costs included, so you can make the decision with real numbers.
What is COID and does it apply to my domestic worker?
COID stands for the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act. Since 1 January 2024, domestic workers are covered under COIDA — meaning domestic employers must register with the Compensation Fund. If your worker is injured while working in your home, the Fund compensates them, not you personally — but only if you are registered. Registration is done at labour.gov.za. The Domestic Worker True Cost Calculator includes an estimated monthly COID provision.
What does a deep clean include that a regular clean doesn't?
A deep clean covers areas deliberately skipped in regular sessions: oven interior (including racks and door glass), inside all kitchen cupboards and drawers, grout scrubbing in bathrooms, skirting boards wiped (not just dusted), tops of door frames, behind and under furniture. A regular clean maintains clean surfaces — a deep clean resets them. The Cleaning Scope Checker on this page shows the exact inclusion/exclusion list for each tier, plus the questions to ask any company before booking.
How much annual leave is a domestic worker entitled to in South Africa?
15 working days per year, accruing at 1.25 days per month from the first day of employment under the Basic Conditions of Employment Act. Annual leave cannot be paid out instead of taken — it must be granted as time off (the only exception is on termination of employment). The Leave & Overtime Tracker on this page calculates the current leave balance based on start date and hours worked.
Do I need a written contract for a domestic worker in South Africa?
Yes — a written employment contract is legally required from day one, even for a worker who only comes once a week. The contract must state the employer and worker's name and address, the start date, job description, wage and payment frequency, ordinary working hours, and leave entitlement. The contract doesn't need to be formally printed — a WhatsApp-sent written agreement meets the requirement. Free templates are available from the Department of Employment and Labour at labour.gov.za.
How often should I get my home professionally cleaned?
Most Centurion homeowners opt for weekly or fortnightly regular cleaning, supplemented by a deeper clean every 3–6 months. Households with pets, young children, or frequent entertaining tend to need more frequent sessions. Frequency also affects rate — companies typically offer a 5–10% discount on weekly bookings versus the same company's monthly rate. The Cleaning Cost Estimator on this page factors frequency discounts into the cost estimate.
What is the difference between a cleaning company and a char service?
A cleaning company is a registered business that employs cleaning staff and takes legal responsibility for their employment. A char service (or "char lady") typically refers to an informal arrangement with an individual worker — cash payment, no employment structure, no formal accountability. TradesHub lists registered cleaning companies only. The key practical difference: if something goes wrong with a company's staff (damage, theft, illness), there is a formal complaints process and the company handles replacement staff. With an individual, there is neither.
Can I deduct accommodation from a live-in domestic worker's wage?
Yes, but with legal limits. If you provide accommodation, you may treat it as a "payment in kind" and deduct a portion of the wage — but the deduction cannot reduce the worker's net pay below the national minimum wage, and the deduction must be agreed to in writing in the employment contract. The Domestic Worker True Cost Calculator currently calculates live-out rates; for live-in arrangements with accommodation deductions, consult the Department of Employment and Labour directly.
Is post-renovation cleaning different from a deep clean?
Yes — post-renovation cleaning is categorically different. Building dust is extremely fine and settles inside cupboards, in air vents, and on surfaces regular cleaning products cannot effectively clean. Paint drips and adhesive residue require specialist solvents. Not every cleaning company offers this service — specifically ask whether the company has post-renovation experience. The Cleaning Scope Checker on this page shows the specific scope difference.