Consultant Prices vs. Southern CareWorks
Opening a care business often starts with a big question: should you hire a consultant, or do it yourself? Here's an honest comparison using prices that senior care consultants publish on their own websites.
What consultants charge vs. what you pay here
| What you need | Published consultant price | Southern CareWorks |
|---|---|---|
| A custom-written policy and procedure manual | $2,995 per manual [1] | Startup kit: about 100 to 140 policies, 18 to 32 fillable forms and a state licensing guide, $97 to $147 |
| Three custom manuals | $5,995 for a three-manual package [1] | Complete Startup Bundle, all three kits, $247 |
| A professional review of your policy manual | Budget $1,500 to $3,500 [2] | Policies written to adapt yourself, with rule references so you can check them, included |
| Help with your licensing application | Packages starting at $2,500 [3] | State Licensing Checklist, $37 |
| Compliance consulting | $150 per hour [3] | Compliance & Inspection Readiness Toolkit, $127 |
| An on-site compliance visit | Starting at $395 for small facilities [3] | A 140-item mock inspection tool you run yourself, included in the $127 toolkit |
For example, one custom-written policy manual at $2,995 costs about $2,900 more than a $97 Southern CareWorks startup kit.
Do I still need a consultant?
Not always. Our kits are do-it-yourself: they give you the licensing roadmap, a complete policy manual written to adapt, fillable forms and your state's rules with official sources. Many owners use them to do most of the work themselves.
A consultant gives personal, one-on-one advice, and some owners want that. If you do, use the kit to do most of the work first, then pay a consultant or attorney for a short review. Most owners spend far less that way than hiring someone to build everything from scratch.
Either way, every Southern CareWorks product comes with free updates when rules change, written by a Healthcare Compliance Officer and Healthcare Facility Owner.
Find the toolkit for your state →
Sources
Prices were published on these consultants' own websites and were checked on November 13, 2026. They're examples, not an industry average, and they may change.
- Thrive Care Home Consulting: customized policy manuals
- GroupHomePath: policies and procedures for assisted living facilities (budget estimate for a full manual review)
- Community Training Connection: consultation services (California)
Southern CareWorks products are educational resources, not legal advice, and don't replace professional advice for your situation. Always confirm requirements with your state licensing agency.