Independent hourly carers often ask:

“What’s a fair rate?”
“What are other carers charging?”
“Am I charging too much… or too little?”

The truth?
If you don’t calculate it properly, you will almost always undercharge.

Let’s break it down properly.

🟢 Step 1: Know the Current Market Range

In most parts of the UK (2026):

Agency hourly rates charged to families:
£28 – £40+ per hour

What the carer typically receives:
£12 – £15 per hour

That gap is where agencies cover overheads, admin, advertising, recruitment — and profit.

As an independent carer, you are replacing that system — but not eliminating your own costs.

🟢 Step 2: Typical Independent Hourly Rates (UK 2026)

These vary by region.

Lower-cost areas:

£18 – £22 per hour

Average towns:

£20 – £25 per hour

Higher-cost areas / London:

£25 – £35+ per hour

Specialist skills (complex care, dementia expertise, PEG feeding, etc.) can justify higher rates.

The key is not what “sounds reasonable” — it’s what is sustainable.

🟡 Step 3: What Many Carers Forget to Factor In

Hourly care is not just the hour in the house.

You must consider:

• Travel time
• Mileage or fuel
• Gaps between calls
• Insurance
• Tax & National Insurance
• Pension
• Sick days (you don’t get paid if you’re ill)
• Holiday time
• Admin time
• Training costs

If you charge £18 per hour but spend 20 minutes travelling unpaid between calls, your real rate drops fast.

🔴 The Dangerous Trap: Competing on Price

Many carers think:

“If I charge less than agencies, families will choose me.”

Yes — but if you underprice yourself:

• You attract price-focused clients
• You risk resentment
• You burn out
• You cannot grow

Sustainable rates protect both you and the family.

🟢 Step 4: A Simple Pricing Formula

Here’s a basic framework:

1. Decide your desired weekly income (realistic and sustainable).

2. Subtract:

   • Tax

   • Insurance

   • Estimated unpaid time

3. Divide by the number of actual paid hours you want to work.

Example:

If you want to earn £750 per week
And you realistically have 25 paid hours
Your rate needs to be £30 per hour — not £18.

Suddenly it makes sense.

🟢 Mileage – Separate or Included?

There are four common models:

Model A: Higher flat rate, travel included

Simple and cleaner for clients.
Your hourly rate already accounts for local travel time and fuel.

Best for:
• Compact areas
• Short travel distances
• Predictable schedules

Model B: Hourly rate + mileage charge

More transparent if you travel further distances.

You charge:
• Standard hourly rate
• Plus mileage (often HMRC advisory rate per mile)

Best for:
• Rural areas
• Long travel between calls
• Variable distances

Model C: Care Without Driving Duties

Your role is personal care and support only.
No transporting the client in your vehicle.

This can:
• Keep insurance simpler
• Reduce risk exposure
• Justify a standard hourly rate

Important to state clearly in your agreement:

“This service does not include client transport.”

Model D: Care With Driving Responsibilities

You transport the client to:
• Appointments
• Social activities
• Shopping
• Day trips

This involves:
• Business-use car insurance
• Increased liability
• Wear and tear
• Time in traffic

Many carers:
• Charge a higher hourly rate during driving time
or
• Charge mileage separately
or
• Do both

It is completely reasonable to reflect the added responsibility.

Driving changes your risk profile.

It’s not “just popping to the shops.”
You are responsible for someone vulnerable in a moving vehicle.

That has value.

🟣 Why This Matters

When carers undercharge:
• Care becomes unstable
• Stress increases
• Relationships suffer

When carers charge fairly:
• They stay in the role longer
• Families get continuity
• Everyone feels respected

Fair pay protects dignity on both sides.

🌿 Final JCC Thought

If you are moving from agency to independent, the hardest part isn’t paperwork.

It’s believing your time is worth more.

It is.