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How to estimate startup costs
Split costs into two groups. One-time costs happen before or at launch: registration, equipment, deposits, initial inventory, branding and your website. Monthly costs continue whether or not you have customers yet: rent, software, insurance, marketing and the minimum you need to pay yourself.
Most new businesses take months to reach steady revenue, so cover at least six months of monthly costs. Add a 10–20% buffer for the costs you forgot — there are always some.
Commonly forgotten costs
- Payment-processing fees (often around 3% of card sales).
- Security deposits and first-and-last month's rent.
- Professional fees for contracts, permits and tax setup.
- Sales tax registration and collection systems.
- Your own living expenses while revenue ramps up.
Once you know the number, compare ways to fund it in our funding options guide and test repayments with the loan calculator.