Costs and quotes
Every care situation is different.
We do not publish a price list, because a single weekly figure would be wrong for almost everyone who read it. What we can do is explain exactly what drives the cost, what is included, and give you a written quote with nothing hidden in it.
What the quote depends on
Six things that move the number
Level of support
The largest single factor. Prompting and company costs less to provide than help with all personal care and frequent night-time support.
Complexity
Advanced dementia, Parkinson's, catheter or stoma care and end-of-life support need carers with specific training and experience.
Carer experience
Where a placement needs particular skills, a particular language, or a carer who drives, the pool is smaller and that is reflected in the quote.
One person or a couple
Supporting a second person attracts a supplement, but nothing like double — which is why couples care often compares well with two residential places.
Short-term or long-term
Two weeks of respite carries more set-up per day than a six-month placement, so short-term rates are usually a little higher.
Specialist requirements
Waking nights, two-carer arrangements or specific clinical tasks are priced separately, and always stated openly rather than buried.
What the weekly fee covers
- The carer's time and support, day and night
- Cover for the carer's daily break and weekly time off
- Recruitment, vetting, training and supervision
- The carer's travel to and from the placement
- The initial consultation and the written care plan
- Regular reviews, and changes to the plan as needs change
What it does not cover
- Household food, bills and everyday living costs
- Any equipment recommended by a therapist or the GP
- A waking night carer, where one becomes necessary
When comparing providers, ask every one of them the same question: does the fee include the carer’s breaks, their time off and their travel? A quote that looks noticeably lower usually answers no.
Help with funding
Worth checking before you pay for anything
Attendance Allowance is not means tested and is not affected by savings. A great many people who qualify never claim it. Check the current rates on GOV.UK.
NHS Continuing Healthcare fully funds care for people with a primary health need. The assessment is demanding, but it is always worth asking for one where health needs are significant.
A local authority needs assessment is free and you are entitled to one regardless of savings. Financial support itself is means tested.
Benevolent funds attached to former professions, trade unions and the armed forces help with care costs far more often than people expect, simply because almost nobody thinks to ask.
We are not financial advisers and will not pretend to be. Where significant sums or property are involved, a specialist care fees adviser is worth the conversation.
How to get a quote
- 01Call us, or send an enquiry. We will ask a few questions about the situation.
- 02We visit for a free consultation, usually within a few days.
- 03You receive a written quote, itemised, with the notice period stated plainly.
Prefer to read first? Download the family guide to live-in care.
Straight answers
Questions about cost
How much does live-in care cost?
It depends on the level of support, whether care is for one person or a couple, how complex the needs are, and whether the arrangement is short or long term. We give you a written quote after the free consultation, with no obligation and nothing hidden in the small print.
Is there any help with funding?
Possibly. Attendance Allowance is not means tested and many people who qualify never claim it. Depending on circumstances, NHS Continuing Healthcare, local authority support or a Carer's Allowance may also be relevant. We can point you towards the right places to check, though we are not financial advisers.
Do I have to sign a long contract?
No. Notice periods are short and clearly stated. Many arrangements start as a two-week trial.
What is included in the fee?
The carer's time and support, their management and supervision, cover for their breaks and time off, and our ongoing review of the care plan. Household food and bills remain the household's, and travel to and from the placement is included in the quote we give you.
Ask us for a quote.
We will give you a written figure after the consultation, with everything it includes listed line by line. No obligation, and no pressure afterwards.
or call 0800 000 0000Monday to Friday, 8am – 6pm