GUIDE
How much does it cost to start a domiciliary care agency?
For a small agency in England, a realistic total is roughly £6,350 to £16,650. Here is where every pound goes.
Last reviewed: 05 June 2026
The realistic startup budget
Starting a domiciliary care agency costs less than opening a care home, because you do not need residential premises, but it is still a real investment. For a small agency starting with a handful of staff, a realistic total startup budget runs from around £6,350 to £16,650. The range is wide because it depends on your staff numbers, how you deliver training, and how much professional support you use. Here is what makes up the figure.
No upfront fee; an annual provider fee follows.
Small agency, all-in.
Ongoing, by service-user numbers.
Where the money goes
The costs after you launch
Once you are operating, your largest ongoing cost is staffing, wages dominate a care agency’s outgoings. On top of that sit the CQC annual fee (roughly £1,200 to £2,400 for a small agency, depending on your service-user numbers), insurance renewals, training, DBS renewals, and software. A realistic plan budgets for the months before your client numbers, and your income, build up.
A clear cost picture before you commit
We build your entire domiciliary care agency and handle the CQC registration, and on your free consultation we give you a clear, honest cost picture for your specific plan, no vague figures. See our domiciliary care startup service.
Related guides
How much does CQC registration cost?
The honest cost of registering a care business, beyond the regulator’s fee.
Read the guide →How long does CQC registration take?
Realistic 2026 timelines from application to decision.
Read the guide →Do you need CQC registration? The personal care boundary
When personal care triggers the need to register.
Read the guide →