How Much Does Home Care Cost Per Hour in the UK?
Home care in the UK typically costs between £26 and £38 per hour for self-funders in 2025/26. The industry benchmark set by the Homecare Association is £32 per hour, which reflects the true cost of delivering safe, regulated care including carer wages, travel time, and employer costs.
Your actual rate will depend on where you live, the type of care needed, and whether you arrange care through an agency or employ a carer directly.
At Lidder Care, our home care packages start from £22.50 per hour for midweek visits.
Home Care Cost at a Glance (2025/26)
| Type of Care | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Hourly visiting care (UK average) | £26 to £38 per hour |
| Homecare Association minimum benchmark | £32 per hour |
| Live-in care | £1,200 to £1,500 per week |
| 24-hour waking care | £1,800 to £2,200 per week |
| Overnight sleeping care | Around £210 per night |
| Overnight waking care | Around £260 per night |
Weekend, bank holiday, and evening visits usually attract a higher rate. Always confirm this with your provider before agreeing to a care package.
What Affects the Cost of Home Care?
Type of Care Needed
The more complex your care needs, the higher the cost. Here is a rough guide by care type:
- Personal care (washing, dressing, toileting): £26 to £32 per hour
- Companionship and light household tasks: £24 to £30 per hour
- Dementia care with specialist training: £28 to £35 per hour
- Nursing care involving clinical procedures: £35 to £45 per hour
- Care requiring two carers for safe handling: higher still, as two hourly rates apply
Where You Live
Regional variation is significant. Carers in cities and the South of England earn higher wages, which feeds directly into what you pay.
| Region | Typical Hourly Rate |
|---|---|
| London and South East | £28 to £40 |
| Midlands and East of England | £24 to £32 |
| North of England | £22 to £28 |
| Wales | £22 to £28 |
| Scotland | Free personal care for eligible over-65s |
| Northern Ireland | £18 to £26 |
Agency vs. Employing a Carer Directly
Choosing a registered care agency generally costs more than hiring independently, but the agency handles recruitment, training, cover, and compliance on your behalf.
| Arrangement | Typical Cost | What You Manage |
|---|---|---|
| Registered care agency | £26 to £38 per hour | Very little: agency handles everything |
| Independent carer (direct hire) | £18 to £26 per hour | Contracts, tax, holiday pay, cover |
For most families, the managed agency route offers better protection and continuity, even at the higher rate.
How Does Live-in Care Compare to Hourly Care?
For anyone needing more than a few hours of support per day, live-in care is often worth considering. A carer lives in your home and provides support throughout the day, with designated rest time overnight.
In 2026, live-in care typically costs £1,200 to £1,500 per week. For couples where both people need support, a single live-in carer shared between them can make it a genuinely cost-effective alternative to two care home placements.
For more on this option, see our guide to live-in care services.
What Is Included in the Hourly Rate?
When comparing quotes, make sure you understand exactly what is covered. Beyond the basic hourly rate, some providers charge separately for:
- Travel time or mileage
- Initial assessment visits
- Administration or management fees
- Additional costs for evenings, weekends, and bank holidays
A reputable provider will give you a clear written breakdown before you commit to anything.
Can You Get Help Paying for Home Care?
Yes. There are several routes to financial support, depending on your savings, income, and care needs.
Local Authority Funding
Your local council can contribute to home care costs following a needs assessment and a financial assessment (means test). In England, the current savings thresholds are:
- Above £23,250: you fund your own care in full
- Between £14,250 and £23,250: you pay a contribution based on your means
- Below £14,250: the council covers the majority of costs
If you are in Nottinghamshire, our guide to paying for care homes in Mansfield covers how local authority funding works in practice.
NHS Continuing Healthcare
If your care needs are primarily driven by a health condition, you may qualify for NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC), which covers the full cost of care regardless of your savings. Eligibility criteria are strict, and most people do not qualify, but it is always worth requesting an assessment if needs are complex.
Benefits That Can Help
These benefits are not means-tested, meaning your savings do not affect eligibility:
| Benefit | Who It Is For | Amount (2025/26) |
|---|---|---|
| Attendance Allowance | Over state pension age with care needs | Up to £108.55 per week |
| Personal Independence Payment (PIP) | Working-age adults with care needs | Up to £108.55 per week (daily living) |
| Carer’s Allowance | Those providing 35+ hours of unpaid care | £86.30 per week |
For a full breakdown of funding options, see our guide to how to get funding for home care.
How Much Does Home Care Cost for Common Scenarios?
To give a more practical sense of the costs involved:
| Weekly Hours of Care | At £30/hour | At £32/hour |
|---|---|---|
| 5 hours per week | £150 | £160 |
| 10 hours per week | £300 | £320 |
| 20 hours per week | £600 | £640 |
| 35 hours per week | £1,050 | £1,120 |
At 35 or more hours per week, live-in care begins to look competitive on cost, while also offering the continuity of a consistent carer in the home.
Is Home Care Cheaper Than a Care Home?
For lower levels of need, yes. For people who need just a few hours of support each week, home care is significantly cheaper than a care home placement, which typically costs £950 to £1,200 per week in a residential setting and £1,000 to £1,400 per week in a nursing home.
The picture shifts as care needs increase. For those requiring round-the-clock support, a care home or nursing home can sometimes be more cost-effective than equivalent hourly home care.
Our article comparing home care and care home options looks at this in more detail, including the non-financial factors that matter just as much as cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does home care cost per hour in the UK in 2026? Most self-funders pay between £26 and £38 per hour depending on location and care type. The Homecare Association recommends a minimum of £32 per hour to cover carer wages, travel, and running costs at the legal minimum wage level.
Why are some home care quotes lower than £26 per hour? Lower rates may reflect a council-funded arrangement, a direct hire carer rather than an agency, or a provider whose rates do not fully cover employment costs. Always check what is included and whether the provider is CQC registered.
Do care costs go up at weekends? Yes, most providers charge a higher rate for visits on evenings, weekends, and bank holidays. Ask for the full rate card before committing.
Is home care means-tested? Local authority funding for home care is means-tested. Benefits such as Attendance Allowance and PIP are not. See our guide to whether home care is means tested for more detail.
What is the minimum visit duration for home care? Most agencies have a minimum visit length of 30 to 60 minutes. Very short check-in visits are rarely available through registered agencies because of the travel time involved.
Can home care costs be tax deductible? Not in most cases for private individuals. If care is arranged through a business or for a dependent, specific rules may apply. An independent financial adviser can confirm your position.
Talk to Lidder Care About Home Care in Mansfield
If you are weighing up home care options in the Mansfield area, our team can walk you through costs, care packages, and funding options without any obligation.
Lidder Care provides home care services across Mansfield and the surrounding areas, alongside our two care homes: Newgate Lodge Care Home and Lowmoor Nursing Home. Call us on 01623 622 322 to talk through what support might look like for your family.
Manjas is the Managing Director of Lidder Care, overseeing all aspects of the group’s operations with a focus on long-term strategic goals. His connection to care began at an early age, working as a night carer at Lowmoor Nursing Home while still in school. This experience fostered a deep personal and professional commitment to delivering high-quality, person-centred care.
After completing an Accounting degree, Manjas established a successful career in media and property development, founding Film AM, PKL Investments, and The Stay Company. This expertise now allows Lidder Care to offer bespoke solutions through in-house design and construction capabilities.
Manjas’ early experiences in care continue to inspire his dedication to providing excellent care, investing in staff, services, and new technologies to enhance Lidder Care’s offerings.