How much should a self-employed carer charge?

Your rate is not your wage

An employed carer's hourly pay is just the start of what their employer spends. As a self-employed carer your rate has to cover everything an employer would: income tax and National Insurance, insurance, DBS checks, training, holidays, sick days, travel time between visits, and the hours you spend on admin and invoicing. A common rule of thumb is that only about 60–70% of your rate is actual take-home pay.

Where your rate sits in the market

Independent carers typically charge more than agency pay rates but less than agencies charge families — that's your selling point. Families save money compared with an agency, and you earn more than agency staff. Rates vary a lot by area and by the type of care: companionship and sitting at one end, complex personal care and waking nights at the other. Check what local agencies charge families, then price sensibly below that.

Charge for the extras

Decide your policy on these before the first client asks:

• Mileage for errands and outings in your car — commonly charged per mile
• Travel time between distant clients, if any
• Short visits — many carers set a one-hour minimum
• Bank holidays and unsocial hours — a higher rate is normal
• Cancellation fees for visits cancelled at short notice

Put it in writing

Your rates, mileage charges and cancellation terms belong in your written contract, agreed and signed before work starts. If a family disputes an invoice later, the signed contract is what settles it.

Raising your prices

Review your rates at least once a year — your costs rise, and so does your experience. Give families plenty of written notice (a month is courteous), explain briefly, and keep the rise modest and regular rather than large and rare. Most families expect an annual increase.

Know your numbers

Carer Hub's pay and tax calculator shows what your rate actually means after Income Tax and National Insurance, so you can set prices with your real take-home in mind — and your invoices and mileage logs keep the figures ready for your tax return.