How Much Does Home Care Cost per Hour in the UK?

When a loved one’s needs change, after a fall, a hospital discharge or a gradual decline, cost is often the first question families ask. The reality is that home care pricing varies. Hourly rates depend on where you live, the type and length of visits, the time of day, and whether specialist support is needed (for example, dementia care or catheter care).

In this guide, we explain typical UK hourly rates, the main cost drivers, worked weekly examples, contract terms to check, and the main funding routes. The goal is to help you budget confidently and avoid surprises. With the right provider, you can get clear quotes, transparent terms and trustworthy, CQC‑regulated care.

Typical Hourly Rates

There is no single national price for domiciliary care (also called home care or hourly care). National guidance and sector data put the typical range broadly in the mid‑£20s to low‑£30s per hour, with lower and higher figures depending on location and complexity.

• Public guidance notes around £15–£30 per hour depending on where you live and what’s included.
• Charities and consumer guides often cite about £25 per hour as a UK‑wide average.
• Market aggregators report around £27–£28 per hour for domiciliary care on average, with sleeping/waking night and live‑in care priced differently.
• Sector bodies publish a calculated minimum sustainable price for England each April to reflect wage, pension, NI and operating costs; for 2025/26 this is £32.14 per hour. Private rates may be above or below this depending on circumstances.

In practice, families commonly see £24–£35 per hour for weekday daytime visits, with premiums for evenings, weekends, bank holidays and complex tasks.

What Drives the Hourly Cost?

Several factors influence what you pay. Understanding these helps you compare quotes fairly and choose a package that fits needs and budget.

Location / Travel & Mileage

Care is delivered in people’s homes, so travel time and fuel matter. Rural or widely spread areas can require longer travel or add mileage surcharges. Distance from the local branch or carer base may also influence price, especially for short, single calls.

Visit Length & Minimums

Very short visits (for example 30 minutes) tend to have a higher effective hourly rate because travel and coordination are spread over fewer care minutes. Many providers set minimum visit lengths (45 or 60 minutes) or a minimum weekly commitment to maintain reliability and staff availability.

Time & Day (Evenings, Weekends, Bank Holidays)

Rates usually vary by time band. Evenings, weekends and bank holidays typically attract higher rates. Night care can be charged as sleeping nights (carer can rest; responds if needed) or waking nights (carer is awake and monitoring throughout) with different prices. Emergency call‑outs may also carry a premium.

Complexity & Specialist Care

Some support requires additional training, clinical skills or two carers (for example, safe transfers with a hoist). Examples include dementia support, catheter or stoma care, PEG/enteral feeding, palliative care, and complex medication management. Packages involving greater risk, safeguarding measures or coordination with district nurses may be priced higher.

Administrative & Overhead Costs

Behind every hour are employment and quality costs: fair wages, holiday pay, pensions and NI; training, shadowing and supervision; insurance, CQC compliance, audits, rostering, secure records, travel time and management. Transparent providers will explain what is included and how prices are reviewed.

Sample Weekly & Monthly Cost Scenarios

Use these examples to frame a budget. Swap in the hourly rate you have been quoted.

Assumption for illustration: weekday daytime rate £25 / £28 / £32 per hour (low / mid / high). Monthly figures use 4.33 weeks per month.

• Example A – Two 1‑hour visits per day, Mon–Fri (10 hours/week):
  Low £25 → £250/week (≈ £1,083/month).
  Mid £28 → £280/week (≈ £1,212/month).
  High £32 → £320/week (≈ £1,386/month).
• Example B – Mixed daytime support (1‑hour lunch + 45‑min evening, 7 days):
  Total 12.25 hours/week.
  Low £25 → £306/week (≈ £1,325/month).
  Mid £28 → £343/week (≈ £1,483/month).
  High £32 → £392/week (≈ £1,697/month).
  Note: Evening/Sunday premiums may lift these figures.
• Example C – Night & live‑in care (typical non‑hourly pricing):
  Sleeping night: often £180–£200 per night.
  Waking night: often £230–£260 per night.
  Live‑in care: commonly priced per week rather than per hour; many families see ~£1,500–£1,700 per week, depending on needs and region.

These are examples only. Your provider should confirm time‑banded rates, any mileage, and whether visits on weekends/bank holidays are priced differently.

Contract Terms & What to Watch For

Clarity up front prevents surprises later. When comparing providers, ask for terms in writing and check:

• Notice periods for ending or changing care (for example, 24–48 hours for ad‑hoc changes; 7–28 days for ending a package).
• Minimums: visit length (30/45/60 minutes), minimum weekly hours, and any trial periods.
• Travel/mileage: when it applies and at what rate.
• Ad‑hoc and extra hours: how short‑notice requests or additional visits are priced.
• Unsocial hours premiums: evenings, weekends, bank holidays and nights.
• Price reviews: how increases are handled (for example, national wage changes) and how much notice you receive.
• Termination clauses: any fees, notice windows or contract “break points”.
• What’s included: care tasks, care coordination, digital or paper visit notes, liaison with professionals, and PPE/equipment.

How Funding & Support Can Help Offset Costs

There are several routes to help with paying for care at home. You can explore more than one at the same time.

Self‑Funding / Private Paying

If you self‑fund, you (or your loved one) pay the full cost of care. Ask for transparent, itemised quotes showing visit length, time bands, any mileage, and bank holiday rates. Good providers issue clear invoices and will review the package regularly so you only pay for what is needed.

Local Authority / Council Support

Request a Care Act (needs) assessment from your local authority. It is free and available regardless of income. If needs are eligible, a financial assessment determines whether the council will contribute. Where funding is agreed, you may choose direct payments to buy support from your preferred CQC‑registered provider.

NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC)

If the person’s primary needs are health‑based (for example, complex and ongoing medical needs), they may qualify for NHS Continuing Healthcare, which can fully fund care at home. There is also a Fast‑Track route for people with a rapidly deteriorating condition who need end‑of‑life support.

Benefits & Other Support

Check entitlement to Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA for children), plus Pension Credit. Some areas offer carer grants or local schemes. A reputable provider can signpost you to advice services and help you prepare for assessments.

Ensuring Quality Alongside Cost

Price matters, but so does safety, reliability and dignity. Always check that a provider is CQC‑registered and ask about their most recent rating. Confirm carers are DBS‑checked, trained and supervised, with continuity (a small, consistent team) and quality checks in place. Ask how visit notes are shared with families, how issues are escalated, and how packages are reviewed as needs change. Look for transparent quoting, itemised charges and a plan you can flex.

How LJM Homecare Can Help

• Clear, transparent quotes & fast turnaround: no‑obligation, region‑specific hourly rates and itemised breakdowns - often within 24 hours.
• Flexible, scalable care plans: start small (for example, short weekday visits) and adapt - add evenings, weekends, nights or live‑in support as needs change.
• Trusted, regulated quality: CQC‑registered, trained carers, consistent teams, shared visit notes and coordination with funding assessments.

Conclusion

Hourly home care costs vary by region, time of day and the level of support required, which is why quotes can look different from one provider to another. The key is to compare like‑for‑like, understand premiums and minimums, and choose a plan that protects safety and independence.

If you are budgeting after a hospital discharge or planning ahead, we can help. Contact LJM Homecare for a clear, personalised quote, a free home visit within 24–48 hours, and friendly guidance on funding options.