Are you worried about home care costs? Starting home care services in Surrey can feel overwhelming, and money worries can make it even harder. But it does not have to.
At SereneCare Group, our care pricing starts from £32 per hour and delivers home care of the highest quality.
This guide explains what shapes care pricing, what live-in support costs, and the funding help available to families in Surrey and Kingston Upon Thames.
How much does home care cost? In summary
- The price of home care depends on the number of hours needed, the level of support, the time of day, and whether specialist care, such as dementia support, is involved.
- Our live-in care starts at £1400 a week and can be good value for couples, as a single arrangement supports both people at home.
- Your council may contribute if savings are below £23,250, and reablement care after a hospital stay can be free for up to six weeks.
- Non-means-tested benefits, such as Attendance Allowance, can help with care costs and are often underclaimed.
- SereneCare offers a complimentary care assessment with clear, itemised pricing, so families in Surrey can plan with confidence.
What does home care cost in Surrey?
Home care is usually charged by the hour, and the rate reflects local wages and the level of support needed. At SereneCare, our high-quality home care starts from £32 per hour.
As part of the South East, Surrey and Kingston Upon Thames tend to sit towards the higher end of national costs. That can feel daunting at first glance, but remember that many families only need a few hours of support a week to make a real difference.
An hour each morning, for example, can be enough to keep someone comfortable, safe and independent at home.
What affects home care pricing?
No two care plans cost the same, because no two people need the same support. Understanding what shapes the price helps you plan realistically and spot good value rather than just a low headline rate.
The main factors are:
- Hours of care: From a single weekly visit to several calls a day. More hours mean a higher weekly total, though some providers offer better rates for longer visits.
- Level of need: Companionship visits usually cost less than personal care or support with complex conditions.
- Time of day: Evenings, weekends and bank holidays often carry a higher rate.
- Specialist skills: Dementia care and other specialist support may be priced slightly higher to reflect additional training.
- One-to-one attention: Unlike a care home, every hour you pay for is dedicated entirely to your loved one.
In short, the price reflects the shape of the support, not a one-size-fits-all rate. Once you know the hours and level of care your loved one actually needs, the numbers become much easier to predict and plan for.
How much does live-in care cost?
Live-in care means a dedicated care expert lives in your loved one’s home, providing support throughout the day. It costs more than hourly visits, but for people with higher needs it can compare favourably with a residential placement, without the upheaval of moving.
At SereneCare, live-in care ranges from £1,400 per week for standard care to £1,600 per week for complex live-in care.
Funding support that could reduce your home care fees
Many families assume they will have to cover every penny themselves in the UK, and that is often not the case. Council funding, NHS support and benefits can all reduce the cost, and it takes nothing to find out what you are entitled to.
Council funding for home care
Your local council may share the cost of care depending on your finances. According to the NHS, the council may pay towards your care if you have savings below £23,250, following a needs assessment and a financial assessment.
Both assessments are free, and anyone can request them from their council’s adult social care team. Even if your loved one is unlikely to qualify, the needs assessment is still worth having, as it sets out clearly what support they need.
Free short-term care after hospital
Some care costs nothing at all. Care after a hospital stay, known as reablement, can be free for up to six weeks while someone regains strength and confidence at home.
If your loved one is coming out of hospital, ask the discharge team whether reablement is available before arranging anything privately. It can bridge the gap while your family decides what longer-term support looks like.
Benefits that help with care costs
Certain benefits can ease the cost of care regardless of savings. Non-means-tested support such as Attendance Allowance is available to many older people who need help with personal care.
In fact, around 1.7 million people in the UK claimed Attendance Allowance in 2025, making it one of the most widely used forms of financial support for later-life care.
You may be eligible for Attendance Allowance if:
- You have reached State Pension age
- You have a physical disability, a mental disability, or a health condition
- Your condition is severe enough that you need help caring for yourself, or someone to supervise you for your own safety
- You have needed that help for at least six months (different rules apply if someone is nearing the end of life)
These benefits are often underclaimed simply because families do not realise they exist. They can be spent on whatever support helps most, including contributing towards home care visits.
Whatever your situation, it is worth requesting a needs assessment before ruling anything out.
‘Too many families rule out care before they’ve even asked what help exists. My advice is always the same: ask us for an assessment, check what support you’re entitled to, and then look at the numbers. They’re rarely as frightening as people expect and we’re always here to help.’
– Humzha Memon, Founder and Director, SereneCare
How SereneCare keeps home care pricing clear
Clear home care pricing matters as much as fair pricing. Families deserve to know exactly what they will pay before care begins, so they can plan calmly rather than worry about hidden extras.
SereneCare publishes its pricing openly and starts every arrangement with a complimentary care assessment, with no obligation attached, for families throughout Kingston Upon Thames and the wider Surrey area.
The team takes time to understand what support is genuinely needed, then recommends the fewest hours that will do the job well. Care plans flex as needs change, so you are never paying for more support than your loved one actually needs.
Frequently asked questions about home care rates
Is home care cheaper than a care home?
For a few hours of support a week, home care usually costs considerably less than a care home. For round-the-clock needs, the costs become closer, though live-in care keeps the one-to-one attention and the comfort of staying home.
What is a 24-hour care package?
A 24-hour care package provides support around the clock, either through a live-in carer or a small team covering day and night shifts.
Night cover can be ‘sleeping’ (a carer on hand if needed) or ‘waking’ (a carer awake and active through the night), and the right mix depends on how much support your loved one needs overnight.
How much do two carers four times a day cost?
Care is priced per carer, so two carers attending each visit roughly doubles the cost of that visit. As a guide, four one-hour visits per day with two carers total eight care hours.
Do I have to sell my home to pay for home care?
Generally, no. When care is provided in your own home, the value of the property is not normally counted in the council’s financial assessment, which only applies to permanent residential placements in most cases.
What is included in the hourly rate for home care?
The hourly rate typically covers the carer’s time, travel within the local area, care planning and the provider’s management and training costs. Always ask for a full price list so you can see exactly what is and is not included.
How is home care billed?
Most agencies invoice monthly for the hours delivered, according to NHS guidance. A good provider will agree the schedule and costs with you in writing before care begins.
Can care costs go down as well as up?
Yes. A well-run care plan is reviewed regularly, and if your loved one regains confidence or independence, the hours and the cost can be reduced to match.
Plan the cost of care with a clear head and a kind guide
Understanding home care costs should bring relief, not more worry. Typical hourly rates, live-in options, council funding and benefits all add up to more choices than most families expect at the start.
If you would like real numbers for your own situation, arrange a free care assessment through our home care services in Surrey and Kingston Upon Thames. We will listen to what your family needs, then give you honest, itemised care pricing with no pressure attached.
