10 Home Care Franchise FAQs to Read Before You Buy a Franchise

2026 is the year of backing yourself and building something that belongs to you. Exploring how to buy a franchise is a step towards more control, more purpose, and a different future for your family. However, we know it can feel exciting and daunting in equal measure.

Many people who join Caremark come from strong careers in operations, sales, HR or healthcare. They want ownership, a stable long-term asset, and a business that genuinely helps their local community.

Before you decide to buy a franchise, these ten FAQs will help you understand what matters most and why so many people choose Caremark for their next chapter.

1. What should I look for when I buy a franchise?

Start with the fundamentals. You want a sector with reliable demand, a proven model and strong support. In home care, reputation matters. Look for a franchisor with a track record in compliance, care quality and sustainable growth. When you compare brands, ask for data rather than broad claims. Clear systems, good training and accessible support make a huge difference in your first year.

2. Why consider a home care franchise?

Home care is one of the most resilient and fast-growing sectors in the UK. Demand is rising, driven by an ageing population and families wanting their loved ones supported at home. For many franchise owners, it offers something rare. A business that can grow year after year while delivering real impact for people living locally. It is commercial and deeply meaningful. This combination is often what draws people from corporate roles into the sector.

3. Do I need a background in care?

No. Many successful Caremark franchise owners come from operations, legal, project management, HR, procurement, and technology. What you need is leadership experience, problem-solving skills, and the ability to build a strong team culture. Your Registered Manager will bring clinical oversight and sector experience. You focus on building the business, supporting your team, and keeping quality high.

4. How much does it cost to buy a franchise?

With Caremark, the minimum personal investment starts from around £36,000. You will also need working capital for the early months. Many franchise owners secure funding from major UK banks that understand the home care model well. A home care franchise is not a small side venture. It is a long-term business that can grow to multi-million turnover with the right systems and support.

5. What support will I receive once I buy a franchise?

Support should begin from the moment you join. Caremark, for example, provides training across compliance, finance, marketing, people management, recruitment, and operations. You also work with dedicated regional support teams who visit you regularly. You do not run your office alone; you join a network of more than 150 franchise offices and a Support Centre with specialists in every area of the business.

6. How quickly can a home care franchise grow?

Growth varies by area and by how quickly you build your care team. You will first apply for registration with the regulator (e.g., CQC or Care Inspectorate) before you launch full personal care services. While you are waiting for registration to be approved, you can start by offering non-regulated support such as companionship visits, shopping, light housekeeping, and welfare checks.

Many owners begin delivering these hours from month three, which helps you build a local reputation, steady income, and a pipeline of customers. Once registration comes through, a good number of those customers choose to stay with you and add regulated care, which gives your hours a natural step up.

Offices that invest early in people, culture, and safe practice usually see the strongest performance. A model such as Caremark’s is proven and scalable. But quality is the foundation. Steady, well-managed growth always beats rushing.

7. What skills help franchise owners succeed?

The strongest franchise owners tend to have experience in leading teams, hitting targets, and managing operations. They are good communicators, able to make decisions, and willing to learn the details of the care sector. Many joined because corporate life no longer suited them and they wanted control, purpose, and a business they could be proud of.

8. What are the biggest fears when buying a franchise?

Common worries include leaving a secure salary, handling regulations, and ensuring care quality. Recruitment can also feel daunting. These are valid worries. The right franchisor should be able to show how training, compliance frameworks, and ongoing support reduce risk. Look for openness. You want partners who give straight answers and show you how they help owners through challenges.

9. What is the earning potential of a home care franchise?

Home care can scale well. Once established, many offices grow to significant turnover because demand for care at home is consistent. It is not a quick return business. It rewards steady leadership, strong systems, and a commitment to quality. You are building an asset that supports your family and your community. Most franchise owners are planning for the next ten to fifteen years, not a short-term exit.

10. Why choose Caremark when you buy a franchise?

Voted Franchisor of the Year 2025 and ranked in the Top 5 of the Elite Franchise Top 100, Caremark is one of the largest home care franchisors in the UK. With a twenty-year track record and 153 offices across the UK and Ireland, you know you are partnering with an established brand that delivers on its promises.

In 2025, UK offices alone delivered around 135,000 hours of care each week, showing the scale and impact of the network in real communities.

Caremark franchise owners value the balance of commercial return and meaningful work. They like having clear systems, national marketing, regional support, training, and a brand known for quality. Most importantly, they like being part of a network that cares about doing things properly. People often join for the business model but stay because it feels purposeful, values-led, and built for the long term.

Final thoughts

Buying a franchise is a big decision. It takes commitment, leadership, and a desire to build something that matters. If you want control of your future and a business that combines growth with impact, a home care franchise is worth exploring. Speak to our team or meet some of our franchise owners who were once in your position. Their stories will help you see what is possible.