How much does a CQC mock inspection cost?

Typically £600 for a remote desktop review, £800 to £1,900 for a one day onsite visit, and £1,500 upward for a full inspection covering all five key questions, with larger or multi site services paying more. Most prices are quoted excluding VAT.

Is a CQC mock inspection worth the price?

For most registered services, yes. The cost is small compared to what a Requires Improvement or Inadequate rating does to commissioning, referrals and recruitment, and current inspection backlogs mean ratings can be out of date for longer than providers expect.

How often should I get a mock CQC inspection?

Annually as a baseline, plus additional reviews around any real inspection you're expecting, a significant service change, or recovery from a lower rating. Run internal audits quarterly in between.

What's the difference between an internal audit and an external mock inspection?

An internal audit is done by your own team and costs only time, which is useful for keeping standards up week to week. An external mock inspection is done by an independent consultant who sees the service the way a real CQC inspector would, which is what actually tests whether your evidence holds up under scrutiny.

skaale.

20 MINUTES · NO PRESSUREBook

Back to the journal

The skaale journal

14 August 2026 6 min read

CQC Mock Inspection Cost: What You Should Actually Expect to Pay