Living in Singapore, everyone will need to arrange home services like air conditioner cleaning, room cleaning, moving, plumbing services. To help get you started, especially for new property owners, here are the key services and things to look out for. (For air conditioner cleaning, please refer to our blog Singapore Air Conditioner Services.)
Cleaning Services
The cleaning service is well developed in Singapore, including company service and individual service. In most of the cases, cleaning the entire unit can be done in 3 hours.
There are 3 types of cleaning:
• One-time thorough cleaning, which usually refers to the full range of cleaning at the start or end of rental lease.
• Washed cleaning refers to general cleaning that includes living room, bedroom, kitchen and bathroom floors.
• Small cleaning means general cleaning that doesn’t include living room, bedroom, kitchen and bathroom floors.
The specific price depends on the type of unit and the type of cleaning service. There are two types of charges:
• Hourly based. Normally price is $15 - 25 per hour. There is a minimum number of hours required (say 3 hours) for certain cleaners.
• Flat based. This type is for cleaning of the entire flat. The price varies depending on number of rooms and property types (HDB or condo, where condo is a little bit more expensive).
Tip: There are always promotions for long-term contract service (for example, once per week or once every other week) that are offered by certain cleaners.
Moving Services
The price for moving in Singapore generally depends on (1) the amount and weight of luggage (for example, 1 piano and 5 small boxes with books), and (2) distance between the starting and delivery locations. Quotation is provided upon calling.
If the cost is too low, most moving companies may charge a fixed starting price (normally around $30 – $50).
The price can also be determined in terms of car carrier if fully packed. In general, moving companies provide 10ft lorry (3.1m x 1.7m x 1.9m), 14ft lorry (4.0m x 1.8m x 2.0m), or mini-van (2.5m x 1.3m x 1.3m).
Do note that manual freight handling may require additional charges.
Plumbing Services
In Singapore, after receiving requests, plumbers come on site to do the check up and offer a quotation. If the quotation is not agreed between two parties, a transportation fee will be charged (normally around $15); if agreed, the plumber will fix it immediately and the transportation fee is usually waived. It is advised to confirm with plumbers in advance, whether a transportation fee will be charged. If the quotation is accepted, the transportation fee will normally be waived.
The rates provided by service providers are for reference only. The exact quotation is made case by case after plumbers check the problem. Depending on the type of work done, a 30-180 day warranty is usually provided.
Average market rate (for reference only):
• Clearing toilet bowl choke $65
• Clearing floor trap choke $55
• Repair leak at exposed copper pipe or PVC pipe $80
• Replace kitchen sink / basin tap $60
• Supply & replace bottle trap for kitchen sink $65
• Replace sink / basin / cistern flexible hose $40
• Supply & install toilet bowl set $250
• Supply & install basin $150
• Additional charge for transport $15
Tip: For supply & install basin / toilet bowl, the plumber will provide toilet bowl / basin while you can also purchase on your own and the corresponding price will be about $150 and $80 respectively.
Now that you are more familiar with the various type of home services, head on to Nestia for a list of reliable service providers!
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