Platform Fee and Pricing Explained

CarerNest operates on a transparent fee structure with no hidden costs. Here's everything you need to know about our platform fee and how our pricing works.

How Our Pricing Works

CarerNest uses a simple, transparent pricing model with options to save on platform fees:

Carer's Rate: Set by individual carers based on their experience and services
Standard Platform Fee: 10% added to the carer's rate
Subscription Plans: Reduce platform fees to 9%, 8%, or 5%
Total Cost: Carer's rate + platform fee = what you pay

Example Calculation

If a carer charges £20/hour:

Carer's rate: £20.00
First 6 months (FREE): £20.00/hour (no platform fee)
After 6 months - Standard platform fee (10%): £2.00
Standard total: £22.00/hour
With Basic/Starter subscription (9%): £1.80
With Basic: £21.80/hour (save £0.20/hour)
With Professional subscription (8%): £1.60
With Professional: £21.60/hour (save £0.40/hour)
With Elite subscription (5%): £1.00
With Elite: £21.00/hour (save £1.00/hour)

🎉 New Users: 6 Months Completely FREE!

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Free Trial for All New Users

Whether you're a family seeking care or a carer offering services, enjoy 6 months with zero platform fees:

Families: Pay only the carer's rate - no platform fees
Carers: Keep 100% of your earnings - no platform fees
No subscription costs during the free period
Full access to all platform features

Subscription Plans - Save on Platform Fees

After your free trial, CarerNest offers subscription plans that reduce your platform fees:

Carer Starter (£9.99/month): 9% platform fee (1% savings)
Carer Professional (£19.99/month): 8% platform fee (2% savings)
Carer Elite (£39.99/month): 5% platform fee (5% savings)
Family Basic (£7.99/month): 9% platform fee (1% savings)
Family Premium (£14.99/month): 8% platform fee (2% savings)
Family Elite (£24.99/month): 5% platform fee (5% savings)

View all subscription plans and pricing →

What the Platform Fee Covers

Our platform fee (10% standard, 9%, 8%, or 5% with subscriptions) provides significant value and covers:

Safety & Security

Background Checks: Enhanced DBS checks for all carers
Identity Verification: Comprehensive identity and document verification
Insurance Coverage: £6 million public liability insurance
Ongoing Monitoring: Continuous safety monitoring and annual renewals

Payment Protection

Secure Payments: Bank-level encryption and fraud protection
Payment Processing: Handling all transactions and invoicing
Dispute Resolution: Mediation for payment disputes
Refund Protection: Guaranteed refunds for unsatisfactory service

Platform & Technology

Matching Algorithm: Smart matching based on needs and preferences
Mobile App: Full-featured iOS and Android applications
Booking System: Easy scheduling and calendar management
Communication Tools: Secure messaging and video calls

Support Services

24/7 Support: Round-the-clock customer service
Emergency Assistance: Urgent care coordination
Care Coordination: Help finding replacement carers
Quality Assurance: Monitoring and improving service quality

No Hidden Fees

Unlike many platforms, we don't charge booking fees, membership fees, or any other hidden costs. The platform fee is the only additional charge.

Comparing Our Fees

Our 10% platform fee is competitive within the care industry:

Traditional Agencies: Typically charge 25-40% markup
Other Platforms: Often charge 20-25% plus additional fees
CarerNest: Just 10% with comprehensive services included

How Carers Set Their Rates

Carers have complete freedom to set their own hourly rates based on:

Experience Level: Years of care experience
Qualifications: Formal training and certifications
Specializations: Dementia care, medical support, etc.
Location: Local market rates and cost of living
Service Type: Personal care vs. companionship
Timing: Evenings, weekends, and holidays may cost more

Typical Rate Ranges

Companionship Care: £15-22/hour
Personal Care: £18-25/hour
Specialized Care: £22-30/hour
Live-in Care: £120-180/day
Overnight Care: £80-120/night

Payment Process

Here's how payments work on CarerNest:

Booking Confirmation: Payment method is authorized when booking
Service Completion: Payment is processed after care is provided
Automatic Invoicing: You receive detailed invoices via email
Carer Payment: Carers are paid within 24 hours of service completion

Payment Timing

You're only charged after care is successfully provided. If a carer doesn't show up or cancels last minute, you won't be charged.

Discounts & Special Pricing

Regular Care Discounts

Save money with regular care arrangements:

Weekly Care: 5% discount on platform fee
Daily Care: 10% discount on platform fee
Live-in Care: 15% discount on platform fee

First-Time User Offers

New User Discount: 50% off platform fee for first booking
Referral Credits: £25 credit for each successful referral
Seasonal Promotions: Special offers throughout the year

VAT and Tax Information

Important tax information:

VAT Exempt: Care services are VAT exempt in the UK
Platform Fee VAT: 20% VAT applies to our platform fee only
Invoicing: Clear breakdown of all charges and VAT
Tax Relief: Some care costs may be tax deductible

Cancellation & Refund Policy

Our fair cancellation policy:

24+ Hours Notice: Full refund, no charges
2-24 Hours Notice: 50% of booking fee charged
Less than 2 Hours: Full booking fee charged
Emergency Cancellations: Reviewed case-by-case

Questions About Pricing?

Our billing team is here to help with any questions about fees or charges.

Contact Billing Payment Methods