Urban Company Singapore | Home Services

Tag: Singapore

  • What Would You Do With a Free Saturday?

    You work hard all week. Your Saturday shouldn’t be spent scrubbing the bathroom. Here’s what a weekly home cleaning session actually costs — and what you get back

    You know that feeling on a Friday evening when you clock off, finally exhale, and think: tomorrow is mine.

    Then Saturday morning arrives. You look around. The kitchen needs wiping down. The bathrooms aren’t going to clean themselves. There’s a layer of something on the fan blades you’ve been ignoring for two weeks. By the time you’re done, it’s 1pm. The best part of the day is gone. And somehow, you’re more tired than you were on Friday.

    This is the weekend a lot of Singaporeans are quietly living.

    The Saturday Tax

    Most dual-income households spend somewhere between 2 and 4 hours cleaning on weekends. That’s not a guess — it’s just the math of running a home when both partners are working full-time and nobody has time during the week.

    That 3 hours on Saturday isn’t neutral. It costs you the slow morning. The walk to the hawker centre without a deadline. The afternoon nap. The thing you kept saying you’d do “on the weekend” — the book, the run, the time with the kids that doesn’t involve rushing anywhere.

    It’s not that cleaning is the worst thing in the world. It’s that it reliably consumes the time you have the least of.

    What It Actually Costs to Get That Time Back

    A weekly 3-hour home cleaning session with Urban Company costs $57.

    That’s the Routine rate — the same trained, vetted cleaning professional, every week, who arrives fully equipped with everything needed to clean your home. No briefing. No providing supplies. No explaining where the toilet brush is for the fourth time.

    For context: $57 is roughly what most households spend on a family dinner out. It’s less than a tank of petrol. It’s a number that looks different when you put it next to 3 hours of your Saturday.

    If weekly feels like a lot, a fortnightly session runs $68 for 3 hours. Or you can start with a single Adhoc booking at $74 — no commitment, just one Saturday back.

    The Same Person, Every Week

    One thing that makes a real difference: with a Routine booking, you get the same cleaning professional assigned to your home every session.

    This matters more than it sounds. After a few visits, they know your home. They know the corner behind the sofa, the bathroom that needs more attention, the floors you care about most. You stop spending the first 20 minutes of every visit explaining things. It starts to feel less like a service and more like something that just works.

    What Happens to the Saturday

    This is the part worth thinking about.

    If you had a free Saturday morning — genuinely free, not “I’ll just quickly do the bathroom first” — what would you do with it?

    Families with young kids usually say the same thing: time with the kids that isn’t logistical. Not ferrying them to enrichment, not supervising homework. Just time. A walk to the park. Breakfast that lasts longer than 15 minutes.

    For couples without kids, it’s often simpler: sleep in. Go somewhere for brunch. Do the thing you’ve been putting off for six weekends in a row.

    It sounds small. It doesn’t feel small when you have it.

    Not Sure Where to Start?

    If a weekly commitment feels like a big step, it doesn’t have to be. Options:

    • Adhoc booking — one session, no contract, from $52 for 2 hours or $74 for 3 hours
    • 4-Visit Pack — pay upfront, redeem at your own pace, from $188 for 2-hour sessions
    • Routine — weekly or fortnightly, same professional every time, from $38

    All cleaning professionals are trained, background-checked, and arrive fully equipped. You don’t need to provide anything.

    Book a home cleaning session →

    How much does a weekly home cleaning session cost in Singapore?

    A weekly Routine session with Urban Company starts from $38 for 2 hours, $57 for 3 hours, or $69 for 4 hours. The rate is per session and applies when you book a recurring weekly schedule.

    Do I need to provide cleaning supplies or equipment?

    No. Urban Company cleaning professionals arrive fully equipped with all tools and cleaning solutions. You don’t need to prepare anything before they arrive.

    Can I get the same cleaner every time?

    Yes. With a Routine booking (weekly or fortnightly), the same cleaning professional is assigned to your home for every session. They learn your home and your preferences over time — no rebriefing needed.

    What’s the difference between a Routine and an Adhoc booking?

    A Routine is a recurring booking — weekly, twice a week, or fortnightly — at a lower per-session rate with the same professional each time. An Adhoc is a one-off session, useful if you want to try the service before committing or if your schedule is irregular

    What if I want flexibility — not a fixed weekly schedule?

    The 4-Visit Cleaning Pack lets you pay upfront for 4 sessions and redeem them whenever suits you.

    How do I know the cleaning professional is trustworthy?

    All Urban Company cleaning professionals are trained, background-checked, and rated by customers after every session. You can see their ratings and reviews in the app before booking.

  • Why Is My Aircon Not Cooling? 6 Common Causes & Fixes

    In Singapore, your aircon isn’t a luxury — it’s infrastructure. When it stops cooling properly, it’s not something you want to diagnose over a few days. Humidity kicks in fast, sleep suffers, and what starts as weak airflow can turn into a full breakdown if left alone.

    The good news: most cases of an aircon not cooling have a specific, identifiable cause. This guide covers the 6 most common ones, what each means for your unit, and what needs to happen to fix it.

    Why Is My Aircon Not Cooling?

    1. Clogged Air Filters

    This is the most common cause — and the easiest to fix. Your aircon’s filters trap dust, pet hair, and airborne particles over time. Once they’re clogged, airflow drops, your unit works harder, and cooling performance suffers noticeably.

    In Singapore’s humidity, filters accumulate grime faster than in drier climates. If you’re running your aircon most of the day — which most households do — filters need attention every 3 to 6 months at minimum.

    What to do: Schedule a professional servicing. A properly trained technician will clean the filters as part of a full unit service, not just a surface wipe.

    2. Dirty Evaporator Coils

    The evaporator coil is what actually absorbs heat from the air in your room. When it gets coated in dust and grime — particularly on the back of the coil where most cleaning methods don’t reach — it loses the ability to absorb heat effectively. The result: your aircon runs but the air coming out isn’t cold.

    This is exactly why standard aircon servicing often falls short. Most providers clean only the front of the coil. Urban Company’s FoamJet servicing uses high-pressure foam to clean both the front and back of the evaporator coil, where the real buildup happens.

    What to do: Book a FoamJet aircon service. From $23/unit, no contract required.

    3. Low Refrigerant (Gas)

    Refrigerant is the substance that makes cooling possible — it absorbs heat from indoor air and releases it outside. If your unit has a refrigerant leak, cooling capacity drops significantly. You might notice the air feels slightly cool but never reaches the temperature you’ve set.

    Signs your refrigerant may be low:

    • Air is less cold than it used to be, even on the lowest temperature setting
    • Hissing or bubbling sounds from the unit
    • Ice forming on the evaporator coil or copper pipes

    What to do: This requires a professional. A technician will check for leaks, repair them, and top up the gas. Urban Company offers gas top-up from $49 for R22 refrigerant.

    4. Blocked Condenser Unit

    The condenser is the unit outside your home — on a ledge, in a yard, or in a dedicated aircon ledge in HDB and condo units. Its job is to release the heat that the indoor unit has absorbed. If it’s blocked by debris, dust buildup, or poor ventilation, it can’t do that job, and your whole system runs less efficiently.

    In landed properties with outdoor condensers, leaves and plant matter are common culprits. In HDB and condo units, dust accumulation on the fins is more typical.

    What to do: Keep the area around the condenser clear. Urban Company’s condenser cleaning service addresses this directly — from $49 for 1 unit.

    5. Thermostat or Sensor Issues

    Sometimes the problem isn’t the cooling system itself — it’s the thermostat misreading the room temperature and cutting the compressor too early. This can make it feel like the aircon isn’t cooling when it’s actually just stopping prematurely.

    Check: is the aircon blowing cold air for a while and then switching to fan mode before the room feels cool? That pattern points to a thermostat or sensor issue rather than a coil or refrigerant problem.

    What to do: Check your remote settings first — make sure you’re on Cool mode, not Fan mode, and that the set temperature isn’t too high. If settings are correct and the issue persists, a technician should inspect the sensor.

    6. Compressor Failure

    The compressor is the heart of the system. It circulates the refrigerant and drives the whole cooling cycle. A failing compressor usually means no cooling at all — the unit may run and blow air, but nothing gets cold.

    Compressor issues are typically the most expensive repair. They’re also often the result of years of inadequate maintenance — dirty coils and low refrigerant both put extra strain on the compressor over time.

    What to do: Call a technician for diagnosis. Urban Company charges a $60 diagnosis fee, which is waived if you proceed with the repair.

    How Urban Company Fixes Aircon Not Cooling

    Depending on what the technician finds, there are a few different service paths:

    FoamJet Aircon Servicing

    For units that aren’t cooling due to dirty coils or reduced airflow — which covers most cases — FoamJet servicing is the right starting point. High-pressure foam cleans both sides of the evaporator coil, restoring airflow and cooling efficiency. Every job includes before-and-after airflow measurements with an anemometer, captured in the app, so you can see the difference.

    From $23/unit, or $20/unit on an annual contract.

    Condenser Cleaning

    For units where the outdoor condenser is contributing to the problem. From $49 for 1 unit.

    Gas Top-Up

    For units confirmed to have low refrigerant. From $49 for a half gas top-up of R22.

    Aircon Repair

    For diagnosed faults — water leakage, power issues, noises, or reduced cooling that servicing alone can’t fix. $60 diagnosis fee, waived if you proceed with the repair.

    Book an aircon service →

    Why Regular Aircon Maintenance Prevents Most of These Problems

    Most of the causes above — clogged filters, dirty coils, strain on the compressor — are preventable with consistent servicing. In Singapore’s climate, every 3 to 6 months is the right cadence for most households. If you’re running 3 or more units daily, lean towards every 3 months.

    The cost of a missed service is almost always higher than the service itself. A $23 FoamJet service done regularly prevents the conditions that lead to a $160+ chemical overhaul or a compressor repair that runs into the hundreds.

    FAQ

    Why is my aircon running but not cooling the room?

    The most common reasons are dirty evaporator coils, clogged air filters, or low refrigerant. All 3 reduce your unit’s ability to absorb and remove heat from the room. A professional service will identify which one applies to your unit.

    How do I know if my aircon needs gas top-up?

    Signs include air that feels slightly cool but never reaches the set temperature, hissing sounds from the unit, or ice forming on the coil or pipes. A technician can confirm with a pressure check.


    How often should I service my aircon in Singapore?

    Every 3 to 6 months, depending on usage. For households running aircon most of the day across multiple rooms, every 3 months is more appropriate. Annual contracts with Urban Company work out to $20/unit per service.

    What is FoamJet aircon servicing?

    FoamJet is Urban Company’s standard aircon service. It uses high-pressure foam to clean both the front and back of the evaporator coil — the back is where most dirt accumulates and where standard servicing doesn’t reach. Every job includes before-and-after airflow measurements captured in the app.

    What’s the difference between aircon servicing and a chemical overhaul?

    Servicing — done regularly — cleans the unit and maintains performance. A chemical overhaul is a more intensive process for units with heavy mould, rust, or blockage that regular servicing can’t clear. Regular FoamJet servicing is specifically designed to prevent the buildup that makes a chemical overhaul necessary.

    How much does aircon repair cost in Singapore?

    Urban Company charges a $60 diagnosis fee for repair jobs — covering water leakage, less cooling, power issues, and unusual noises. The fee is waived if you proceed with the repair. Full repair pricing is shown in the app before you commit.

  • Robot Vacuum vs Part-Time Cleaner Singapore — Do You Still Need Both?

    Robot Vacuum vs Part-Time Cleaner Singapore — Do You Still Need Both?

    If you own a robot vacuum, you already know what it’s good at. It runs while you’re at work, picks up the dust and pet hair your family tracks in daily, and keeps the floors looking decent between proper cleans. For a lot of Singapore households — especially in 3 and 4-room HDBs where floor space is mostly open — it’s become as standard as the washing machine.

    But here’s the question most people reach eventually: does having a robot vacuum mean you no longer need a part-time cleaner?

    The short answer is no. And it’s not a close call. Here’s why.

    What Robot Vacuum Cleaners Do Well

    Robot vacuums are genuinely useful for one thing: keeping floors maintained between deeper cleans. In Singapore’s climate — where humidity means dust and grime accumulate faster than in cooler countries — daily floor maintenance makes a real difference.

    Daily Dust and Dirt Pickup

    In a typical HDB or condo, a robot vacuum running daily will catch the dust, hair, and debris that settles on floors between weekly cleans. If you have kids or pets, this is particularly valuable — the floor stays manageable rather than visibly dirty by mid-week.

    Scheduled Cleaning While You’re Out

    Most models let you set a schedule. For dual-income households where both partners are out from 8am to 7pm, having the floors vacuumed automatically during the day is genuinely convenient. You come home to tidy floors without thinking about it.

    Under Beds and Sofas

    Robot vacuums are low-profile by design. They reach under beds, sofas, and TV consoles — spots that are awkward to vacuum manually and where dust accumulates quickly. In Singapore homes where storage under beds is common, this matters.

    What Robot Vacuums Can’t Do

    This is where the limits become clear. A robot vacuum is a floor maintenance tool. It does one thing — pick up loose debris from flat surfaces. Everything else in your home is outside its scope.

    Bathrooms

    Robot vacuums don’t go near wet areas. Your bathroom — toilet bowl, floor tiles, sink, shower screen, and grout lines — needs to be scrubbed manually. In Singapore’s humidity, mould and soap scum build up fast in bathrooms. A robot vacuum does nothing about this.

    Kitchens

    Grease and grime from cooking settle on countertops, stovetops, cabinet fronts, and the splashback behind the hob. A robot vacuum can pick up dry debris from the kitchen floor, but the actual cleaning work in a kitchen — degreasing surfaces, wiping down appliances — requires hands and effort.

    High Surfaces

    Shelves, ceiling fans, window ledges, tops of cabinets, air-conditioning vents — all of these collect dust continuously. In Singapore, ceiling fans and aircon vents are particularly bad for this. A robot vacuum operates at floor level and has no way to address any of it.

    Mopping

    Some robot vacuums include a mopping function, but anyone who has used one knows the limitation — they damp-wipe rather than mop. They can’t apply pressure, scrub stained grout, or deal with anything that needs actual cleaning rather than light wiping. For HDB tiled floors, which are standard across most Singapore homes, proper mopping makes a visible difference that a robot’s mop attachment simply can’t replicate.

    Clutter and Organisation

    A robot vacuum navigates around objects — it doesn’t tidy them. Clothes on the floor, items on countertops, things that need to be put away — none of this gets addressed.

    What a Part-Time Cleaner Actually Covers

    A professional part-time cleaner from Urban Company arrives fully equipped — cleaning solutions, mop, cloths, everything — and covers the full scope of what your home needs.

    A typical session covers:

    • Floors — vacuuming and mopping throughout, including bathrooms and kitchen
    • Bathrooms — toilet, sink, shower, tiles, and mirrors scrubbed and sanitised
    • Kitchen — countertops, stovetop, sink, and cabinet fronts wiped and degreased
    • Dusting — shelves, ceiling fan blades, windowsills, and high surfaces
    • General tidying — surfaces cleared and straightened

    For households that book a routine session — the same cleaner assigned every time — the cleaner becomes familiar with your home. No rebriefing, no re-explaining where things go. They know your preferences and work through the home efficiently.

    Pricing

    ServicePrice
    Routine (weekly, 3 hours)$57/session
    Routine (fortnightly, 3 hours)$66/session
    Adhoc (3 hours)$71/session
    Instant Helper (1 hour, arrives in 30 mins)$26/session

    For households that don’t need a fixed schedule, the 4-visit pack (from $180 for 2-hour sessions) lets you book at your own pace without paying adhoc rates each time.

    Book a part-time cleaner →

    The Right Way to Use Both

    Robot vacuum and part-time cleaner aren’t competing choices — they work better together than either does alone.

    The robot vacuum handles the daily floor maintenance that would otherwise mean your home feels dusty between cleaner visits. The part-time cleaner handles everything the robot can’t: bathrooms, kitchen surfaces, high dusting, proper mopping, and the kind of thorough clean that makes your home feel genuinely clean rather than just floor-level tidy.

    For most Singapore households — a 3 or 4-room HDB with 2 working adults and one or two kids — the combination that works best is a robot vacuum running daily and a part-time cleaner every 1 to 2 weeks for a 3-hour session.

    That’s roughly $57 to $66 per fortnight for the cleaner. Against the time cost of doing it yourself — and the reality that bathrooms and kitchens don’t clean themselves — most households find it straightforward value.

    Why Urban Company for Part-Time Cleaning in Singapore

    Urban Company’s home cleaners are trained, background-checked, and rated after every job. They arrive with all their own equipment and supplies — you don’t need to provide anything.

    For routine bookings, the same cleaner is assigned every session. They learn your home, your preferences, and how you like things done. No briefing from scratch each time.

    UC’s satisfaction rate for home cleaning in Singapore is 93.9% — the highest among tracked platforms. Freelancers average 74.1%. That’s not a marginal difference.

    Book your first session →

    Do I still need a part-time cleaner if I have a robot vacuum?

    Yes. A robot vacuum maintains floors between cleans but can’t clean bathrooms, degrease kitchen surfaces, dust high areas, or properly mop. A part-time cleaner covers everything the robot doesn’t reach.

    How often should I book a part-time cleaner in Singapore?

    For most households, every 1 to 2 weeks works well. Homes with kids, pets, or frequent cooking typically benefit from weekly sessions. If your schedule is irregular, a 4-visit pack lets you book flexibly without paying full adhoc rates.

    How much does a part-time cleaner cost in Singapore?

    Urban Company’s routine sessions start from $38 for a 2-hour weekly booking. A 3-hour weekly session is $57. Adhoc bookings start from $51 for 2 hours. Cleaners arrive fully equipped — no need to provide supplies.

    What does a part-time cleaner do that a robot vacuum doesn’t?

    A part-time cleaner scrubs bathrooms, cleans kitchen surfaces, dusts ceiling fans and high shelves, properly mops floors, and tidies surfaces. A robot vacuum only picks up loose debris from flat floor surfaces.

    Does Urban Company send the same cleaner every time?

    Yes, for routine bookings. The same cleaner is assigned to your home each session so they become familiar with your space and preferences. No rebriefing required.

    What is Instant Helper?

    Instant Helper is Urban Company’s on-demand cleaning option — a cleaner arrives within 30 minutes. Sessions are available from 1 hour at $26, up to 2 hours at $51. Useful for last-minute cleans before guests arrive or a quick reset after a busy week.