Startup Cost Calculator
Starting a business costs more than the first purchase. This adds up the setup costs and a cash cushion for the months before sales cover the bills, so you can see the full sum in one place.
- Free
- Works offline after your first visit
- Saves on this device
- No sign-up
- Updated
How it works
Add the one-time costs: equipment, the first stock, licenses and launch marketing. Then add a cash reserve, which is the number of months you want to cover times the monthly costs you need to pay. The total is the amount to have ready before you open.
Worked example
To open with $8,000.00 of equipment, $5,000.00 of stock, $1,200.00 in licenses and $3,000.00 of launch marketing, plus $24,000.00 kept aside for slow months, you need $41,200.00 in total.
Questions
How many months should the reserve cover?
Many people plan for three to six months of costs, and longer if sales are slow to start. Pick the number that lets you sleep at night.
Are my own wages included?
Only if you count them in the monthly costs. Many new owners leave their own pay out and find it hard to keep up later.
Does this include every expense?
No. It covers the main setup costs. Add anything specific to your trade, such as deposits, insurance or permits.
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