Hiring domestic help in India should be a structured process, not a desperate scramble when your current maid doesn't show up. Whether you're hiring for the first time or replacing someone who left, this comprehensive checklist ensures you make the right choice.
Before You Start — Define Your Needs
- ☐ What tasks do you need help with? (cleaning, cooking, childcare, elderly care, all of the above)
- ☐ How many hours per day? (2-4 part-time / 8-12 full-time / live-in)
- ☐ What's your monthly budget? (research local rates for your city)
- ☐ Language preference? (Hindi, regional language, English basics)
- ☐ Timing preference? (morning slot, evening slot, flexible)
- ☐ Any special requirements? (cooking style, pet-friendly, experience with infants/elderly)
During Hiring — Verification
- ☐ Aadhaar card verified (original seen, number cross-checked)
- ☐ Police verification completed (or hire through a service like MyBuddyMaid that handles this)
- ☐ 2+ previous employer references called
- ☐ Address noted (permanent + current)
- ☐ Photograph taken
- ☐ Emergency contact collected
Setting Up — Agreement & Expectations
- ☐ Task list agreed (specific daily and weekly duties)
- ☐ Working hours confirmed (start time, end time)
- ☐ Salary agreed (amount, payment date, payment method)
- ☐ Weekly off decided (which day, 4 days per month minimum)
- ☐ Festival holidays listed (Diwali, Eid, regional festivals)
- ☐ Notice period agreed (15 days is standard)
- ☐ Trial period set (7 days for full-time/live-in, 3 days for part-time)
- ☐ Written agreement signed by both parties
First Week — Trial Period
- ☐ Show them your home — room by room, explain what goes where
- ☐ Explain your family's routine — wake time, meal times, kids' schedules
- ☐ Demonstrate cleaning products — which cleaner for which surface
- ☐ Set clear no-go zones — study, safe, personal drawers
- ☐ Evaluate punctuality — arrived on time every day?
- ☐ Evaluate work quality — thorough or rushed?
- ☐ Evaluate attitude — responsive to feedback? Initiative?
Ongoing — Management Best Practices
- ☐ Pay on time — same date every month, preferably bank transfer/UPI
- ☐ Annual increment — 10-15% raise keeps good help motivated
- ☐ Festival bonus — one month's salary at Diwali/Eid
- ☐ Treat with respect — use their name, provide tea/water, never shout
- ☐ Provide sick leave — 1-2 paid sick days per month is reasonable
- ☐ Address issues early — don't let small irritations build into big conflicts
- ☐ Have a backup plan — MyBuddyMaid's replacement guarantee covers this
Skip the Checklist — MyBuddyMaid Handles Everything
From verification to matching to ongoing support — we manage the entire process. All you do is approve and enjoy a well-run home.
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