One of the most critical pre-start up tasks is working out how much money you need to launch your business. Only then can you think about how you’re going to raise it.

Providing it doesn’t hamper your ability to operate effectively, keep your start-up costs to a minimum. Spending more will place greater pressure on you to generate more money more quicker. Saddle yourself with too much debt and you will increase your chances of failure.

Keeping your costs down

Not everyone can start up on a shoestring, but make sure there’s a legitimate business reason for everything you buy. Being creative and willing to compromise can help keep your start-up costs down. Premises are the biggest expense for many businesses, which is why so many new ventures are started from the owner’s home.

Instead of buying goods and services, consider whether you can trade with other businesses. Another option is borrowing, but if you can’t, you might be able to lease or buy second-hand. If you must buy, search for value-for-money suppliers and negotiate hard. You could ask for credit – but don’t be surprised if you don’t get it. You might even have to pay upfront or on delivery.

Calculating start-up costs

You must take into account all your start-up and operating costs for at least 12 months ahead. Relatively small expenses can mount up, while neglecting to include some in your costs will mean you’re simply storing up some nasty surprises for later.

Your start-up costs could include equipment and installation, a vehicle, road tax and insurance, premises, fixtures and fittings, initial stock or materials, launch marketing and advertising items, legal and professional fees, possibly a licence, maybe staff uniforms, etc.

Premises-related costs can provide a shock for less-experienced business people. First you have to find them, possibly refit and redecorate them, maybe make them safe, secure or legally compliant.

If you decide to rent, a landlord will expect a deposit and rent upfront. You might also have to pay a service charge.

All of these elements need to be included in your cost calculations.

Working out your overheads

Calculate your total overheads (also called ‘fixed costs’) on a monthly basis spanning your first year of trading. As well as rent or commercial mortgage repayments, overheads include rates, insurance, utility and communication bills, professional fees, etc. You might also have to pay connection fees for some overheads.

Employing people is costly. As well as wages, tax and National Insurance contributions, you might have to pay to advertise jobs, possibly for training, too. You must build in your own wages to your costs, and be sure you’ll be able to earn enough – or else find another way to cover your living expenses

Once you have worked out your start-up costs, compare them against your sales forecasts. If your costs exceed expected revenue, you need to find ways to sell more, reduce costs or else find a viable business idea. If you can’t afford to fund the launch of your business, you at least know how much funding you require.

It can take time for a new business to begin making regular sales, let alone turn a healthy profit. You need to bear this in mind when estimating how much finance you need to keep your business afloat for that all-important first year.