What Affects the Cost of a CQC Mock Inspection Service?

If you run a care service in the UK, like a care home or home care agency, you might be thinking about getting a Care Quality Commission (CQC) mock inspection. This is a practice run to help you prepare for the real CQC inspection, which checks if your service is safe, caring, and well-run.

But how much does a mock inspection cost? The price can vary a lot, depending on a few key things. In this article, we’ll explain the main factors that affect the cost in simple terms, so you can plan your budget and make smart choices.

The cost of a mock CQC inspection can be very different depending on who provides it, what is included, and how big or complex your service is.
On average, a full mock inspection usually costs between £1599 and £3,000 plus VAT. Some providers offer a basic service at a lower price (from £599), while others may charge more for a detailed and in-depth inspection.

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Top Two Factors That Determines The Cost of Mock CQC Inspection Service

1. Size of Your Care Service

The biggest factor in the cost of a CQC mock inspection is the size of your care service. This means how many people you care for, like the number of residents in a care home or clients in a home care agency.

A small care home with 10–20 residents will cost less to inspect than a big one with 60 or more. For example, a mock inspection for a small care home might cost around £1,500–£2,000, while a larger one could be £4,000–£5,000.

Why does size matter? Bigger services have more staff, more records, and more things to check, so the inspection takes longer. If your service is in a place like Stirling, Scotland where there are smaller care homes near King’s Park or bigger ones closer to Glasgow, the cost will depend on how many people you look after.

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2. How Long and Detailed the Inspection Is

The second big factor is how long the mock inspection takes and how much detail it covers. Some mock inspections are quick, like a one-day visit that checks the basics, costing around £800–£1,800 (plus VAT). Others are more in-depth, like a two-day inspection that looks at everything: safety, care quality, leadership, and more.

These can cost £2,500–£5,000, depending on the provider.

The scope matters too. A full mock inspection, copying the real CQC process, costs more than a shorter one focusing on just one area, like safety or record-keeping.

If you only want a virtual “mini-mock” (done online), it might be cheaper, starting at around £500.

If you’re a care provider in Stirling or say Stoke where we are, you might choose a shorter inspection to save money (but don’t choose based on cost but needs), especially if you’re confident in most areas but need help with one, like staff training.

Other Factors That Can Affect the Cost of Mock CQC Service

While size and inspection length are the main drivers, a few other things can change the price:

1. Who Does the Inspection: Some companies use ex-CQC inspectors, who charge more because of their expertise. For example, a highly experienced provider might charge £500 more than a standard one.
2. Announced or Unannounced: An unannounced mock inspection (where the inspector shows up without warning) might cost more because it’s harder to arrange.
3. Your Current CQC Rating: If your service has a low rating, like “Requires Improvement” or “Inadequate,” the mock inspection might need more time to find and fix problems, which can raise the cost.
4. Extra Services: Some providers include a detailed report or action plan after the inspection, which can add £200–£500 to the price. Others might offer follow-up support, like training for your team, which increases the cost but can be worth it.

Why You Shouldn’t Compromise on Quality CQC Checks

While it might be tempting to pick the cheapest mock inspection to save money, compromising on quality can cause big problems.

A low-quality inspection might miss serious issues, like poor safety practices or bad record-keeping, which could lead to a low CQC rating, such as “Inadequate” or “Requires Improvement.”

This can harm your reputation, scare away clients, and even lead to legal action or closure if the real CQC inspection finds major faults. For example, a care home in Stoke-on-Trent near Trentham Gardens could lose trust from families if it gets a bad rating due to a weak mock inspection that didn’t spot problems.

A good-quality mock inspection, done by experienced professionals, gives you a clear picture of what needs fixing and how to improve.

It prepares your team for the real CQC visit, boosts staff confidence, and helps you achieve a “Good” or “Outstanding” rating. This builds trust with families and clients, making your service stand out in places like Hanley or Burslem.

Investing in quality now can save you from bigger costs and stress later.

📚Helpful Post: Eight Steps to Prepare For Your Next CQC Inspection.

Why This Matters for Your Care Service

A CQC mock inspection is like a practice test–it helps you spot problems before the real inspection, so you can get a better rating, like “Good” or “Outstanding.”

Knowing what affects the cost helps you pick the right service for your budget. For example, a small care home in Stoke-on-Trent near Trentham Gardens might only need a one-day or two-day inspection to check key areas, saving money.

A larger agency covering multiple areas might need a full two-day or three-day review to ensure everything meets CQC’s new rules (called the Single Assessment Framework, introduced in 2023).

Tips to Manage Mock Inspection Service Costs Without Losing Quality

1. Shop Around: Compare prices from trusted providers. Look for those with good reviews or ex-CQC inspectors to ensure quality.
2. Match the Inspection to Your Needs: If you’re confident in most areas, ask for a shorter, focused inspection, but make sure it’s still thorough.
3. Invest in Training: If you’re running a training business (like first aid or phlebotomy courses), you could offer CQC compliance workshops to help care providers prepare for inspections. This can help them fix issues early, making mock inspections more effective.

The cost of a CQC mock inspection depends mainly on the size of your care service and how long or detailed the inspection is.

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Mock CQC Inspection Cost Breakdown

Cost Component	Price Range (Excl. VAT)	Description
One-Day Mock Inspection	£800–£1,800	A single-day onsite or virtual inspection, checking key areas like safety or care quality. Suitable for small care homes (10–20 residents) or focused reviews.
Two-Day Mock Inspection	£2,500–£5,000	A comprehensive inspection over two days, covering all CQC Key Lines of Enquiry (KLOE). Ideal for larger care homes (40+ residents) or complex services like nursing care.
Virtual Mini-Mock Inspection	£500–£1,000	A short, online review of specific areas (e.g., governance or staff training). Cost-effective for smaller services or those with a “Good” CQC rating.
Inspector Expertise Premium	£200–£500	Additional fee for providers using ex-CQC inspectors or specialists, ensuring high-quality, realistic inspections.
Unannounced Inspection Surcharge	£100–£300	Extra cost for unannounced mock inspections, mimicking real CQC visits to test preparedness.
Detailed Report/Action Plan	£200–£500	A written report with findings, recommendations, and an action plan to address issues, critical for improving CQC ratings.
Follow-Up Support/Training	£300–£1,000	Post-inspection support, such as staff training or compliance workshops, to fix identified gaps. Varies by duration and scope.
Travel Expenses (if applicable)	£50–£200	Costs for inspectors travelling

Total Estimated Cost

• Small Care Home (10–20 residents, one-day inspection): £1,000–£2,500 (including report and basic follow-up).
• Large Care Home (40+ residents, two-day inspection): £3,000–£6,500 (including premium inspectors, report, and training).
• Home Care Agency (virtual or focused inspection): £700–£2,000 (depending on scope and extras).

Final Thoughts

A small care home might pay £800–£2,000 for a quick check, while a large one could pay £4,000–£5,000 for a full review. Other factors, like the provider’s expertise or extra reports, can also affect the price. But don’t just focus on cost — choosing a high-quality mock inspection is key to avoiding problems, earning a great CQC rating, and keeping your clients happy.

If you’re in a small area in London or running a training business, think about how mock inspections and compliance training can work together.

For example, offering first aid training or CQC prep courses to care homes could help them pass inspections while growing your business.

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