When you are exploring home care support, the first question you naturally ask is how much it will cost per hour. Prices vary across regions, depend on the person’s needs and can change based on visit length or the time of day. This guide provides a clear picture of home care costs in Liverpool and the wider Merseyside area, how these compare to national averages, how to estimate your own budget and how to make informed choices when selecting a provider.
We aim to help families who want reliable, transparent information rather than vague averages. All examples are tailored to Liverpool, Sefton, Wirral, Knowsley and St Helens, where care pricing patterns differ from many other parts of the UK.
Typical Hourly Home Care Rates in Liverpool and Merseyside
Although costs vary between providers, the ranges listed below represent realistic market figures for 2025:
Liverpool city region overview
Across Merseyside, typical private hourly rates for domiciliary care fall between £22 and £31 per hour depending on the level of support. This places the region slightly below the national average.
To give local context, here are indicative ranges for each borough:
Liverpool City: £25 to £31 per hour
Sefton: £24 to £29 per hour
Wirral: £22 to £28 per hour (independent carers sometimes £19 to £23)
Knowsley: £23 to £28 per hour
St Helens: £22 to £27 per hour
These figures represent real current pricing patterns and offer a reliable benchmark when planning your budget.
Comparison with national averages
Across the UK as a whole, common hourly home care rates are:
Typical range: £25 to £40 per hour
Many providers fall between £26 and £38 per hour
Homecare Association minimum sustainable price for England (2025): £32.14 per hour
This means Liverpool and Merseyside tend to offer more affordable care than many regions in the South and South East.
Short Visit Pricing in Liverpool and Merseyside
Shorter visits often cost more per hour because travel time and administrative time remain fixed regardless of visit length.
Typical local short-visit prices include:
30-minute visits: £17 to £22
45-minute visits: £22 to £26
These short-visit rates translate into a higher blended hourly cost, so families may find that a 60-minute visit offers better value and creates more flexibility for carers to support the full range of required tasks.
What Affects the Hourly Cost of Home Care?
Several factors influence what you pay. Understanding them helps you judge whether you are comparing like with like.
1. Type and complexity of care
Basic companionship or domestic support is usually the most affordable.
Personal care, medication support or mobility assistance tends to cost more.
Specialist care (for example dementia, Parkinson’s, palliative or neurological conditions) often requires more skilled staff, which increases the rate.
2. Time of visits
Evening, weekend or bank holiday visits usually cost slightly more because carers receive enhanced rates during these periods.
3. Length of visits
Short visits (such as 30 minutes) incur higher hourly equivalent charges. Providers must factor in travel, administration, compliance and scheduling overheads.
4. Provider structure
Agencies who employ, train and supervise carers full-time charge more than independent, self-employed carers. Higher costs often reflect professional oversight, consistency, insurance, quality assurance and regulatory compliance.
5. Travel and logistical costs
Some providers include travel in their hourly rate, while others charge mileage or a call-out fee. Always ask for a complete breakdown.
6. Local authority commissioned rates
If the local authority funds your care, they will often pay contracted rates to providers. These rates may differ from private self-funder prices.
How to Estimate Your Own Home Care Costs in Liverpool and Merseyside
Here is a simple method to calculate your likely outlay.
Step 1: Work out how many hours of care are needed
For example:
One morning visit for personal care
One lunchtime visit for medication support
One evening visit for meal preparation
If each visit is 45 minutes, this totals 2 hours and 15 minutes per day. Multiply by the number of days you need support each week.
Step 2: Choose a realistic hourly rate for your area
For Liverpool and Merseyside, it is sensible to use:
Low estimate: £22 to £24 per hour
Mid estimate: £25 to £28 per hour
High estimate: £30 to £31 per hour (or higher for specialist care)
Step 3: Calculate weekly and monthly costs
Example:
14 hours per week at £27 per hour
Weekly cost: £378
Monthly cost (weekly cost multiplied by 4.33): approximately £1,636
Annual cost: approximately £19,600
Step 4: Add relevant extras
Include:
Weekend premiums
Bank holiday charges
Increased rates for very short visits
Any additional travel charges where applicable
Step 5: Compare with alternative models
Hourly home care is often the best option for people needing up to six or seven hours of daily support. Beyond this, live-in care or residential care may become more cost-effective depending on needs and preferences.
Funding Options in Liverpool and Merseyside
Understanding how care is funded can make a substantial difference to long-term affordability.
Local authority support
You can request a needs assessment from Liverpool City Council or your relevant borough council. If you meet the eligibility criteria, the council carries out a financial assessment to determine whether they will contribute.
Self-funding
Some families may pay privately. In these cases, clear budgeting and regular reviews are important.
Direct payments
If the council funds part of your care, they may give you direct payments so you can choose your own provider instead of relying on council-arranged services.
NHS Continuing Healthcare
Certain people with severe and complex health needs may qualify for NHS Continuing Healthcare funding. This is not means-tested but requires a detailed eligibility assessment.
Benefits
Attendance Allowance can help with the cost of care for people aged 65 and over who need assistance due to illness or disability. Personal Independence Payment may help adults under 65.
How to Compare Home Care Providers in Merseyside
Cost should never be the only factor. Quality, safety and continuity of care are equally important.
When evaluating providers, consider the following:
What is included in the hourly rate
Whether travel or assessments are charged separately
How carers are trained and supervised
Whether you will see the same carers consistently
The provider’s Care Quality Commission rating
How the organisation handles complaints or changes in needs
Contract terms regarding cancellation, notice periods and rate changes
Whether they offer clear pricing with no hidden charges
A transparent provider will be able to explain clearly why their rates are structured as they are. You can also read our related guide on what private home care should include.
When Hourly Home Care Is the Best Option
Hourly home care is ideal for people who:
Want to remain at home for as long as possible
Require help with personal care, medication or mobility
Need support at set times rather than around the clock
Have family or community support that complements paid care
Prefer consistent routines and familiar carers
Want a flexible approach that can increase or decrease as needs change
It may be less suitable for people who need constant supervision, unpredictable support or overnight monitoring.
Tips to Manage or Reduce Home Care Costs Without Sacrificing Quality
Combine professional care with family support where appropriate
Schedule fewer but longer visits to optimise value
Review the care plan regularly to avoid paying for unnecessary hours
Use community groups for companionship or social activities
Explore assistive technology such as fall detectors or medication reminders
Ask about fixed-rate packages for high weekly hour volumes
Check whether tasks can be grouped to reduce the number of visits required
Plan for annual price reviews linked to staffing and living costs
These strategies help maintain quality while avoiding unnecessary expense.
Care Costs Key Takeaways
Typical hourly home care costs in Liverpool and Merseyside range from £22 to £31 per hour, slightly below the UK average.
Short visits cost more per hour, with 30-minute calls typically between £17 and £22.
Prices vary based on borough, care complexity, time of day and visit length.
Several funding options exist, including local authority support, direct payments and Attendance Allowance.
Comparing providers requires looking at quality, training, continuity and transparency, not only price.
Home care can be tailored to individual needs and remains one of the most flexible and person-centred forms of support.
If you require a personalised quotation, Quarry Homecare can carry out a full assessment and provide transparent, local pricing that reflects your specific needs.
