What our care actually costs.
Every rate, in one place. Below are our 2026 figures for hourly visits, overnight care, and live-in.
Speak to us0118 334 7474
What you don't pay extra for.
A free home assessment to agree what care is needed. A care plan written specifically for you. Ongoing care management and supervision from a registered manager. Out-of-hours support, seven days a week. Cover from within your small regular team when a carer is on holiday or off sick.
Care can be increased, reduced or stopped within the agreed notice period. Our standard notice is 28 days, although you can cancel at any time within the first 14 days of care starting. Live-in arrangements need a deposit at the start; hourly arrangements may need a deposit in some circumstances. The detail is in the section below and in our terms.
Hourly care, by the visit.
Charged by the hour, with a minimum visit length of one hour. Different rates apply for evenings and weekends.
- A regular, named carer from a small team that's yours
- Free home assessment and personalised care plan
- Cover from within your team when a carer is on leave
- Care management, supervision, and out-of-hours support
Live-in, by the week.
A weekly fee, set after a home assessment based on the level of care needed. Most clients start at the entry rate and stay on the same rate throughout the time we're with them — we don't reassess upwards unless care needs change significantly. The household covers the carer's food and any utilities used; everything else is in the weekly fee.
- A dedicated, expertly-trained live-in carer, with a familiar second carer covering breaks
- Free home assessment and personalised care plan
- Care management, supervision, and out-of-hours support
- Cover when the regular carer is on a rest break
Overnight, per night.
A flat fee per night, depending on whether it's a sleeping or waking night and the day of the week. The carer typically arrives at 10pm and leaves at 7am, but times can flex either side.
A note on funding.
Most of our clients fund their care privately. We’re not a contracted provider to any local authority, but if you’ve been assessed for council-funded care you can use a direct payment, or NHS Continuing Healthcare funding, towards our fees — with the practical caveats below. For more on the detail, your local council’s adult social services or Age UK can help.
Privately funded
You arrange and pay for the care directly. Most of our care is funded this way, and it's the simplest route — particularly where assets are above the £23,250 threshold at which local authority support tapers off.
Local authority direct payments
If you've been assessed as eligible for council-funded care, you can use a direct payment towards our fees. Our rates are higher than the local authority normally pays, so most clients in this position top up the difference from their own funds.
NHS Continuing Healthcare
For people whose care needs are primarily health-related, NHS Continuing Healthcare can fully fund care in any setting, including at home. Eligibility is determined by NHS assessment.
The full price list, on paper.
Every rate, every weekend and bank holiday adjustment, every footnote — in a downloadable PDF you can keep, share with family, or hand to a financial adviser.
What families ask us about pricing.
Are there any costs not shown on this page?
The rates above are what you pay for the care itself. There are no agency fees or hidden surcharges — everything we charge for is set out on this page or in your care agreement.
A deposit is taken at the start of every live-in arrangement, and may be required for hourly care in some circumstances (typically where care is being arranged at short notice or for a short defined period). The amount and terms are agreed in writing before care starts.
For live-in care, the household also covers the carer's food and any utilities they use during their stay — that's separate from our weekly fee.
Mileage is charged in two situations: when a visit is outside our usual catchment area, and when a carer is driving the client somewhere (e.g. to a hospital appointment or the shops). Both are flagged at the assessment or when arranged.
How is the live-in rate decided?
The weekly rate is set during the home assessment, based on the level of care needed across a typical week — mobility, personal care, medication, night-time support, complexity of routines. Most clients pay the entry rate.
Once the rate is set, it tends to stay the same. We only revisit it if care needs change significantly — and even then, we'd talk it through with you first and explain the reasoning before any change took effect.
Do prices go up over time?
Rates are reviewed annually, in line with carer pay, the cost of running the service, and any changes to employment or regulatory costs. Increases are typically modest and we give clients written notice well in advance.
Can I get a quote before committing?
Yes. The home assessment is free and produces a written care plan with the rates that apply to your situation. There's no obligation to start care after an assessment, and no fee if you decide we're not the right fit.
How is care invoiced and paid for?
Hourly and overnight care is invoiced monthly, in arrears. Live-in care is invoiced weekly, in arrears. Most clients pay by direct debit, but we accept bank transfer if preferred.
Where a client uses a direct payment from their local authority towards our fees, we invoice the client (or their nominated representative) in the usual way — the direct payment funds sit with the client, not with us.
What about cancellations or short-notice changes?
Our standard notice period is 28 days, both for ending an arrangement and for cancelling individual visits. If a visit falls within the next 28 days, it’s already in the rota and we’ll charge for it; cancelling visits further ahead — for a planned holiday, say — isn’t charged.
Within the first 14 days of care starting, you can end the arrangement at any time without the 28-day notice. After that, the standard notice applies.
We plan carers’ weeks in advance and they need that planning to be reliable for them too. The 28-day window keeps the rota stable for everyone.
Are you regulated, and how can I check?
Yes. Gardiner's Homecare is registered and regulated by the Care Quality Commission. Both our branches are rated Good. Inspection reports are public on the CQC website, and our reviews are independently verified on homecare.co.uk.
Want to talk through what it would cost for you?
A short phone call is usually enough to work out an estimate based on your situation. The home assessment is free, with no obligation either way.
Mon–Fri 7:30am–5pm · Out of hours, leave a message and we’ll call back.
