Durban - Post Report Question and Answers
What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Household help is available and affordable. If you have very specific preferences, you'll need to be clear from the start and provide some hands-on training. We have hired a local housekeeper who doubles as a nanny and babysitter in the afternoons until we are home from work. We have also hired a local driver who has her own big van/bus to take the kids to/from school on the days that we can't. We also have a gardener once a week, as the yard is big and has lots of plants we don't have the time or knowledge to care for them. Some people also hire pool cleaners. An employment contract is recommended, so please follow local labor laws. We pay our gardener about $20/day. The housekeeper/nanny received about $400/month, plus overtime for any extra hours or tasks we request. There are quarters for household help attached to most homes. Most full time domestic help want to live in during the week as transportation can be far from home and/or costly. Our maid's room has a shower/toilet and we've outfitted it with a TV, bedside tables and a small kitchenette area with dishes, hot plate, microwave, etc. - Sep 2024
Plentiful. Average cost per day about US$20, maybe $200 to $300/month for full time live in. Employer is usually responsible for meals and uniforms. - Sep 2010
