Local home help agency run from home

Older people, disabled people, busy families and relatives arranging help for someone else, plus some people paying privately after a hospital stay.

Clients pay an hourly rate. You pay your helpers and keep the difference, or charge an introduction fee if helpers are self-employed. Regular weekly clients give steady income.

• Organised scheduling
• Good people judgement when recruiting
• Patient, friendly phone manner
• Basic bookkeeping

• Personal care such as washing, dressing or medication is regulated, so check with the Care Quality Commission (England) or the equivalent body in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland whether you would need to register
• Whether your helpers are employed or self-employed, as this affects tax, National Insurance, holiday pay and minimum wage
• Employment agency rules may apply if you introduce workers, so check current government guidance
• Public liability insurance, and employer's liability insurance once you employ staff
• Enhanced DBS checks, safeguarding and handling clients' keys and money carefully
• Check whether running the business from home needs permission from a landlord or mortgage lender

Startup costs are typically around £1,500 to £7,500, depending on how you set up your office, how you recruit helpers and the insurance you arrange. Costs vary with how quickly you take on clients and staff.

It depends on the tasks. Personal care such as washing, dressing or medication is regulated, so check with the Care Quality Commission in England or the equivalent body elsewhere in the UK. Also check employment agency rules and whether helpers are employed or self-employed.

Monthly revenue is typically around £2,000 to £10,000, depending on how many clients and helpers you have. These are estimates of revenue, not profit, so allow for helper pay, insurance, DBS checks and other running costs.