In shortThe NHS website gives a guide of roughly £20 an hour for a paid carer visiting your home and about £800 to £1,600 a week for a live-in carer, varying by area. For 2026–27 the Homecare Association calculates that at least £34.42 an hour is needed simply to pay care workers the legal minimum, including travel time. The real price depends on the length and timing of visits and the support needed.
Visiting home care
Most visiting care is priced by the hour, with visits planned in blocks such as 30 minutes, 45 minutes or an hour. When you compare prices, compare what you get for the time: a short visit at a low headline rate can cost more per hour than a longer one.
The NHS guide to paying for your own care puts paid carers at roughly £20 an hour. The Homecare Association’s Minimum Price for Homecare for 2026–27 is £34.42 an hour. That is the minimum the association says a provider needs to pay care workers the legal minimum wage for all working time, including travel, with training and the basic running costs of a regulated service. It describes the figure as a minimum, not a fair price.
Live-in care
Live-in care is usually priced by the week. The NHS guide is around £800 a week, rising to around £1,600 a week for higher levels of care. A couple can often share one live-in carer, which can make it better value than two care home places. See live-in care or a care home.
What changes the price
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|
| Visit length | Short visits carry the same travel time as long ones, so they cost more per hour. |
| Time and day | Early mornings, late evenings, weekends and bank holidays may cost more. |
| Two carers | Hoisting and some moving and handling need two carers for safety. |
| Nights | Waking nights cost more than sleeping nights. |
| Location | Rural areas mean more travel between visits. |
| Complexity | Advanced dementia or complex conditions may need more experienced carers. |
Questions to ask before you agree a price
- What is the hourly rate, and is it different for short visits, weekends or bank holidays?
- Is travel time or mileage charged on top?
- How much notice is needed to cancel a visit, and is a cancelled visit charged?
- How are invoices sent, and how often?
- What happens to the price if needs change?
Our prices
Every plan is different, so we give you a written price after the free planning visit, before care starts. There is no obligation.
Help with the cost
You may not have to pay the full cost yourself. The council may pay some or all of it after a financial assessment; if you are over State Pension age, Attendance Allowance of £76.70 or £114.60 a week is not means-tested; and a few people qualify for full NHS funding. Read paying for care in England.
Sources (checked 13 November 2026)