Frequently Asked Questions

Simply create an account, complete your care profile with your needs and preferences, and start browsing available carers in our marketplace. Our intelligent matching system will help you find the perfect carer for your specific situation.

You'll need to share basic contact details, specific care requirements, location, preferred schedule, budget range, and any medical conditions or special needs. This detailed information helps us match you with the most suitable carers in your area.

Creating your profile takes about 10-15 minutes. Finding and connecting with your first carer typically happens within 24-48 hours, though emergency care can be arranged within 2 hours through our rapid response network.

No upfront payment is required to create an account or browse carers. You only pay when you book care services at the carer's set rate plus our 15% platform fee. No subscription fees or hidden costs.

CarerNest operates across the UK with carers available in most cities and towns. Enter your postcode during registration to see available carers in your area and their proximity to you.

Most regular care can be arranged within 24-48 hours. For emergency situations, we have carers available within 2 hours. Our extensive marketplace network ensures we can meet most care needs promptly across the UK.

Our intelligent matching system considers your location, specific care needs, schedule preferences, budget, and any special requirements. We also factor in carer availability, qualifications, experience level, and genuine client reviews to find your perfect match.

Absolutely! You have complete control. Browse detailed carer profiles, read authentic reviews, view qualifications, and select carers that feel right for you. You can also let our smart matching system suggest the best options based on your preferences.

We offer a comprehensive satisfaction guarantee. If you're not completely happy, we'll help you find a replacement carer at no additional cost. Our support team works with you to ensure you have the best possible care experience.

Yes! Many clients prefer consistency and develop meaningful ongoing relationships with their carers. You can book the same carer for regular visits, create recurring schedules, and build long-term care partnerships.

Our marketplace offers personal care, companionship, dementia care, post-surgery support, respite care, live-in care, and specialist medical support. Each carer specifies their expertise and experience areas.

Yes! We encourage meet-and-greet sessions (usually 30 minutes) before your first booking. This helps ensure compatibility and allows you to discuss your specific needs and preferences in person.

Yes, every carer undergoes comprehensive background checks including enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks, identity verification, right to work checks, and professional reference verification.

All carers have professional indemnity insurance and public liability insurance. Premium care plans include enhanced coverage. We also verify that carers maintain current insurance throughout their time on our platform.

We verify all care qualifications, certifications, and training certificates. Specialist carers must provide additional certification for their areas of expertise. We also conduct ongoing compliance checks.

All carers are trained in emergency procedures and first aid. We have a 24/7 emergency support line, and carers know how to contact emergency services. Family members are notified immediately of any incidents.

We conduct regular check-ins with clients, review care notes and reports, monitor carer performance metrics, and respond to any concerns immediately. Quality assurance is our top priority.

Carers set their own competitive rates typically ranging from £12-25/hour for companionship, £15-30/hour for personal care, £20-40/hour for specialist care, and £800-1500/week for live-in care. You pay the carer's rate plus a 15% platform fee.

If a carer charges £20/hour, you pay £23/hour total. The carer receives their full £20, and £3 goes to CarerNest to cover platform operations, secure payment processing, insurance, background checks, and 24/7 support services.

No hidden fees or subscription costs ever. You only pay the carer's set rate plus our transparent 15% platform fee. Everything is clearly shown upfront before booking, with no surprises.

We accept all major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), bank transfers, and digital wallets. All payments are processed securely through our encrypted payment system with fraud protection.

Payment is processed automatically after each care session is completed and confirmed by both you and the carer. You'll receive a detailed receipt showing the breakdown of carer rate and platform fee.

We offer a comprehensive satisfaction guarantee. If you're not happy with your care service, we'll work with you to resolve issues, provide a replacement carer, or offer a refund where appropriate. Your satisfaction is our priority.

Yes! Our platform shows exact costs upfront including the carer's rate and platform fee. You can calculate total costs for different durations and compare carer rates before making any commitment.

Many carers offer discounted rates for regular bookings or longer sessions. You can also negotiate package deals directly with carers for ongoing care arrangements through our secure messaging system.

Our minimum booking is 2 hours for regular care visits and 1 hour for emergency care. This ensures carers can provide meaningful support and makes visits cost-effective.

We recommend booking at least 24-48 hours in advance for the best carer availability. However, we can often accommodate same-day requests for an additional 20% fee.

Yes, you can cancel or reschedule up to 24 hours before your appointment without penalty. Cancellations with less than 24 hours notice may incur a cancellation fee.

If a carer cancels, we'll immediately find you a replacement or reschedule at no cost to you. We have backup carers available to ensure continuity of care.

Absolutely! You can set up regular weekly, daily, or custom recurring schedules. This is perfect for ongoing care needs and helps build consistent relationships with carers.

Create your carer profile, upload required documents (DBS, qualifications, references), complete our verification process, and set your rates. Once approved, you can start receiving booking requests from families in your area.

You set your own rates and keep 85% of your earnings. Carers typically earn £12-40+ per hour depending on experience and care type. Live-in carers can earn £800-1500+ per week. The 15% platform fee covers insurance, payments, and support.

While formal qualifications are valued, we welcome carers with 6+ months experience, relevant life experience, or strong personal care backgrounds. A DBS check is required (we can help arrange this), and we provide free training.

Payments are processed automatically after each completed session and transferred to your bank account within 2-3 business days. You receive 85% of your set rate, with detailed payment breakdowns provided.

Absolutely! You have complete control over which booking requests to accept, your availability, rates, and the types of care you provide. Build your client base at your own pace and create a schedule that works for you.

Comprehensive support including full liability insurance, 24/7 platform support, secure payment processing, professional development resources, access to our carer community, and free ongoing training opportunities.