About

Why CareGauge UK exists

CareGauge UK gives people a clearer first view of whether a care quote looks fair, what may be shaping it, and what to ask next.

Use this page for the short why, who it is for, and a few public facts behind the problem.

Why it exists

Help people ask better questions, not pretend there is one perfect price

Care is often arranged during illness, discharge, family stress, or a sudden change in needs. Prices can be hourly, daily, weekly, or monthly, with extras and assumptions that are hard to compare quickly.

Who it is forMade for people making real care decisionsSelf-funders, families, and unpaid carers who need a clearer first view before agreeing to costs.

Self-funders trying to work out whether a quote looks broadly fair.
Families arranging care for a parent, partner, or relative.
Unpaid carers who need a clearer starting point before agreeing to costs.
People comparing home care, live-in care, residential care, or nursing care.

What we are trying to doGive a grounded benchmark without pretending to know one exact priceKeep the benchmark practical, neutral, and useful for better conversations about what is included.

Give people a grounded benchmark, not a false promise of precision.
Help people ask better questions about what is included and what may change.
Support clearer decisions without pushing anyone towards providers.
Recognise that higher prices can reflect real complexity, not automatically poor value.

Why this mattersA few public facts behind the problemA few public facts show why a clear first view can help when care decisions feel urgent.

Homecare Association, April 2025

£32.14 an hour

Home care can add up quickly

Homecare Association said in April 2025 that this was the minimum sustainable price for homecare in England for 2025 to 2026.

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Which?, 9 March 2025

Nearly £1,400 a week

Care home fees can be hard to judge at a glance

Which? reported on 9 March 2025 that care home costs were nearing this level on average, showing how quickly weekly totals can rise.

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Carers UK, 2 February 2026

5.8 million unpaid carers

Many families are making these decisions themselves

Carers UK said in February 2026 that millions of people across the UK are providing unpaid care while trying to manage work, money, and day-to-day life.

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What it is for

CareGauge UK is here to support clearer, more informed decisions

It is not about catching out providers or claiming there is one exact correct price. It is about helping people walk into the next conversation better prepared.

Check a care quote UK care costs guide