When you’re exploring homecare for yourself or a loved one, one of the first questions you’ll likely ask is: how much does it cost?
It’s an important and entirely valid question—and one we believe deserves a clear, honest answer. The truth is, the cost of home care can vary widely depending on a number of factors, many of which aren’t immediately obvious.
That’s why we’ve created this guide: to help you understand what influences home care pricing, what to expect, and how to make informed decisions with confidence and clarity.
- Why there is such variation in home care pricing
- What to look out for when comparing providers
- What regulated carers can do (that agency carers cannot)
- How Trinity Homecare structures pricing
- Where we sit compared to the wider market
Why Does Home Care Pricing Vary So Much?
Home care costs in the UK typically range from around £22 to £45 per hour for visiting care and £1,000 to £2,000+ per week for live-in care. This wide range exists for a few key reasons:
Regulated Provider vs. Introductory Agency
One of the most important distinctions in home care is whether you choose a regulated care provider or an introductory agency.
Think of it like the difference between enrolling your child in a regulated nursery versus hiring a babysitter you found online. One offers structure, accountability and peace of mind, with oversight from official bodies and strict quality standards. The other may offer more flexibility and lower costs, but often comes with greater risks and less protection.
Understanding the differences between these two models is key to making the right decision for you or your loved one.
It’s a bit like choosing between a regulated nursery and a babysitter off the internet. One gives you peace of mind, structure, and protection. The other gives you flexibility—but also more risk.
Care Quality and Reputation
Would you send your child to a school rated “Requires Improvement”? Probably not. The same principle applies to care.
The CQC rating is your objective benchmark. Trinity Homecare is rated ‘Outstanding’, placing us among the top 3% of providers in England. That rating reflects our rigorous recruitment, training, care planning, supervision and responsiveness to our clients. It also reflects the cost of delivering care safely and well.
Types and Levels of Care
Home care isn’t one-size-fits-all. Costs depend on the nature of care required:
The more specialist and complex the care, the more experienced and trained the carer needs to be—and the more hours of care per day or night are likely to be required. That directly influences cost.
What Regulated Carers Can Do (That Introductory Agencies Cannot)
This is one of the most overlooked factors in pricing—and risk.
| Task | Regulated Providers (like Trinity) | Introductory Agencies |
| Personal care & medication | ✅ Fully managed, trained, and monitored | ❌ Not allowed for medication, no supervision for personal care |
| Complex or clinical tasks (e.g. catheter care, hoists, PEG feeding) | ✅ Permitted with training and clinical oversight | ❌ Not allowed |
| Care planning & reviews | ✅ Formal assessments, updated regularly | ❌ Not provided |
| Supervision & safeguarding | ✅ Ongoing management and CQC oversight | ❌ No formal oversight |
| Carer sickness cover | ✅ Guaranteed by provider | ❌ Client must arrange cover |
Introductory agencies are not regulated by the CQC, meaning they cannot legally oversee or supervise care. If something goes wrong, you are solely responsible.
Trinity Homecare Pricing Explained
We believe in full transparency. No hidden fees, no unexpected add-ons—just clear, honest pricing based on your individual needs.
Visiting Care (Hourly Support)
- From £37.75 per hour, depending on location and level of support
- Minimum visit length is 30 minutes, charged at £28 per visit
- Ideal for personal care, medication support, companionship, mobility help, and day-to-day assistance
- As needs become more complex, this may involve more frequent or longer visits throughout the day
- Fully managed by our care team, including regular reviews and family updates
Live-in Care
- From £1,200 per week, depending on care needs and circumstances
- Most clients realistically fall between £1,645 and £1,925 per week
- Includes a carefully matched carer living in the home full-time
- Suitable for anything from companionship and low-level help to full 24/7 complex care
- Ongoing oversight, contingency planning, and support are all part of the service
Every care package includes carer training, vetting, matching, supervision, emergency cover and clinical escalation where needed—giving families total peace of mind.
Trinity vs Other Homecare Providers
| Provider | Type | CQC Rating | Visiting Care | Live-in Care |
| Trinity Homecare | Regulated | Outstanding | From £37.75/hour £28 for 30-minute visits |
£1,645–£1,925/week (most clients) |
| The Good Care Group | Regulated | Outstanding | N/A | From £1,645/week |
| Helping Hands | Regulated | Good | From £31/hour | From £1,779/week |
| Right at Home | Regulated | Mostly Good | From £32/hour | From £1,610/week |
| Elder | Introductory Agency | Not rated | N/A | From £1,100/week |
| Home Instead | Regulated | Mostly Good/Outstanding | From £31.28/hour | Varies by branch |
Trinity offers an Outstanding-rated service with full management, clinical governance, and family support—competitively priced among leading regulated providers and transparently different from introductory-only agencies.
What to Look for When Comparing Home Care Providers
Before making a decision, consider:
- CQC rating: Your best indicator of care quality and safety
- Regulated or agency?: Agencies may cost less but offer no oversight
- Included services: Does the provider offer training, reviews, supervision and sickness cover?
- Transparency: Are prices clearly explained from the start?
Final Thoughts: It’s About More Than Price
Choosing home care is about so much more than cost. It’s a deeply personal decision that touches on your loved one’s safety, independence and quality of life.
While affordability matters, the cheapest option isn’t always the best or the safest. True peace of mind comes from knowing your loved one is receiving care that’s not only cost-effective, but compassionate, reliable and tailored to their unique needs.
Book a free care consultation today by calling 020 4572 3694 or visit our website https://www.trinityhomecare.co.uk/ to find out more.
