Home care in the UK typically costs around £25 to £35 per hour for visiting care, and around £1,200 to £1,800 per week for live-in care. The final price depends on how much support is needed, when it is needed, where you live and whether the care is specialist. Most families pay for only the hours they actually need, which makes home care flexible compared with a fixed care home fee.
This guide explains typical costs, what shapes your bill and how to avoid surprises.
General averages only go so far. The only reliable figure comes from a proper assessment of your loved one’s needs, and we will talk it through with you, without obligation.
The table below shows typical UK ranges. These are general guides, and actual prices vary by provider and area.
| Type of Care | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Visiting (domiciliary) care | £25 to £35 per hour |
| Live-in care | £1,200 to £1,800 per week |
| Residential care home | Around £1,300 per week |
| Nursing home | Around £1,500 per week |
London and the south east are usually more expensive than other regions.
Visiting care is charged by the hour, and the national median sits at roughly £31 per hour. Rates tend to be a little lower in some regions and higher in London. Providers rated more highly by the CQC may charge a premium.
To see what that means in practice, one hour of care every day comes to about £217 a week at £31 per hour. Two hours a day comes to roughly £434 a week. Costs rise quickly when several visits are needed, which is why families with heavier needs often compare visiting care with live-in care.
Evenings, weekends and bank holidays are often charged at higher rates, and very short visits may carry a minimum charge. Always ask what is included.
Live-in care is usually charged as a fixed weekly fee. Standard live-in care often sits between £1,200 and £1,700 per week, while complex or specialist needs, including advanced dementia, can reach £1,800 or more.
Because one carer lives in the home, the fee covers day and night support and constant companionship. For couples, live-in care can be especially good value since the weekly fee supports the whole household rather than one person.
Care home fees average around £1,300 per week for residential care and about £1,500 per week for nursing care, with dementia nursing homes often higher. Live-in care costs broadly similar amounts but gives one-to-one attention in your own home.
For light support, home care is usually far cheaper. For round-the-clock care, the figures are closer, and the quality-of-life difference often decides it. Our guide on home care vs care home explains this in more detail.
Several factors shape your bill. The first is the number of hours or visits, since more time means a higher cost. The second is the type of care, as personal care, dementia care and palliative care need different skills and training.
The third is timing. Night-time, weekend and bank holiday care often cost more. The fourth is location, because wages and living costs make London more expensive than many other areas. Finally, complexity matters. If your loved one needs two carers for moving and handling, or specialist medical support, the price increases.
Mother’s Touch Care will visit your home, understand your loved one’s needs and explain pricing clearly before care begins.
Not every provider explains everything upfront. Before you agree to anything, ask whether travel time is charged, whether there are minimum visit lengths, and how bank holidays are billed. Ask also about notice periods, how care plans are reviewed and what happens if you need to cancel a visit.
For live-in care, ask about the carer’s expenses such as food and any arrangements for covering rest breaks. A good provider will explain all of this clearly and in writing.
There are several ways to make care go further. Start with a free care needs assessment from your local council, which can show whether you qualify for support. Then check benefits such as Attendance Allowance, which pays £76.70 or £114.60 a week in 2026/27 depending on the level of need, is not means-tested and can be spent on care.
It can also help to start with fewer visits and increase them as needed, or to combine paid care with help from family. Our guide on how to fund home care explains direct payments, Attendance Allowance and NHS Continuing Healthcare in full.
Price matters, but so does what you receive. Andrew, a client in Brighton, has used several care agencies over the years. He says the kindness and understanding of the Mother’s Touch Care carers and management has been unmatched, and that their support helped him regain some of his independence.
That is the real measure of value. Good care is not just about hours covered. It is about safety, dignity and the confidence to live well at home.
When comparing providers, look beyond the headline hourly rate. Check what is included, how carers are recruited and trained, and whether the agency is regulated by the Care Quality Commission. You can view our CQC profile directly.
A very low price can sometimes mean rushed visits or less experienced staff. Ask how care is monitored and how quickly the agency responds if something changes.
Mother’s Touch Care is a CQC-listed home care agency based in Barking, London, with a branch in Colchester, Essex. Our carers are background-checked, certified and trained, with staff available around the clock to support specialised routines and medication assistance.
We provide private, local authority and health service funded care. Learn more about our home care services or our Barking office. You can call Barking on 020 8058 1618 or Colchester on 07799 096076.
You do not need all the answers before you call. Describe your situation and we will explain what care could look like and how pricing works. Our Colchester branch is happy to help.
Most providers charge around £25 to £35 per hour, with a national median of roughly £31. London and the south east tend to be higher.
Live-in care typically costs around £1,200 to £1,800 per week, depending on the level of need. Complex needs can cost more.
For a few hours of support a week, yes, by a wide margin. For round-the-clock care, costs can be similar, and live-in care often compares well, especially for couples.
Possibly. Options include a council assessment, direct payments, Attendance Allowance and NHS Continuing Healthcare for people with significant health needs.
Often, yes. Many providers charge higher rates for nights, weekends and bank holidays, so ask for the full rate card.
It depends on the provider’s notice terms. Always check the cancellation policy before starting care.
Choosing care is a big decision, and you deserve straightforward answers. Mother’s Touch Care will listen to your situation and explain your options honestly.
