Living

Household staff in Bali: what is normal and what it costs

Daily help is common and inexpensive by Western standards. The etiquette matters as much as the rate.

Updated 21 September 2026 · 1 min read

The question to settle before moving in

Ambiguity about who employs household staff is a frequent source of friction. If the owner pays, you cannot change the arrangement; if you pay, you take on the obligations. The contract should say which, along with the days and hours expected.

Common questions

Do Bali villas come with staff?

Frequently, particularly pool and garden maintenance. Whether it is included in rent or billed separately varies, so the contract should state it.