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?
Cheaper than the US but more expensive than other posts from talking to people. Around 1100 usd a month for full time, live out nanny/cleaner. - Oct 2024
Help is plentiful and it costs about 1000-1500USD a month for a full time helper (live in or not). There are also drivers, dog walkers, part time maids... it is whatever you want. - Jun 2024
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
