Startup
Costs
What it really costs to start a business in the UK. No guesswork. No sales pitch. Just real numbers.
Latest Guides
How Much Does It Cost to Start a Catering Business in the UK?
Starting a catering business in the UK can cost anywhere from £2,000 to over £50,000 depending on your setup.
How Much Does It Cost to Start a Dog Grooming Business in the UK?
Dog grooming startup costs for 2026, from a home-based setup to a fitted van or salon.
How Much Does It Cost to Start a Man and Van Business in the UK?
Starting a man and van business in the UK costs anywhere from £3,000 to over £20,000 depending on the van and setup.
How Much Does It Cost to Start a Subscription Box Business in the UK?
Subscription box startup costs for 2026, from a small home-packed test batch through to fulfilment-house scale.
How Much Does It Cost to Start an Ice Cream Van Business in the UK?
Starting an ice cream van business in the UK costs between £8,000 and £60,000 depending on your setup.
How Much Does It Cost to Open a Sandwich Shop in the UK?
Sandwich shop startup costs for 2026, from a small takeaway counter to a full deli-style shop with seating.
How Much Does It Cost to Start a Lash Technician Business in the UK?
Starting a lash tech business costs between £1,500 and £5,000 depending on training, kit and where you work from.
How Much Does It Cost to Start a Locksmith Business in the UK?
Realistic 2026 UK locksmith startup costs: tools, van, MLA certification, insurance and marketing for a mobile locksmith business.
How Much Does It Cost to Start a Soap Making Business in the UK?
Starting a soap making business in the UK can cost anywhere from £300 to over £3,000 depending on your method and ambitions.
How Much Does It Cost to Start a Bakery Business in the UK?
Realistic 2026 UK bakery startup costs, from a home-based micro bakery to a full retail shop with a commercial kitchen.
How Much Does It Cost to Start a Wedding Planning Business in the UK?
Starting a wedding planning business in the UK costs between £500 and £5,000 depending on your setup and ambitions.
How Much Does an Accountant Cost for a Small Business in the UK?
Small business accountant fees for 2026, bookkeeping, annual accounts, tax returns and payroll compared.
How Much Does It Cost to Start a Print on Demand Business in the UK?
You can start a print on demand business in the UK for as little as £50, but a serious launch costs £300 to £800.
How Much Does a Business Bank Account Cost in the UK?
Monthly fees, transaction charges, free banking periods and switching for UK business accounts in 2026.
How Much Does It Cost to Start a Market Stall in the UK?
Starting a market stall in the UK costs anywhere from £200 for a bare bones setup to over £5,000 with full stock and equipment.
How Much Does It Cost to Register as a Sole Trader in the UK?
HMRC registration, National Insurance, accounting and insurance costs for sole traders in 2026.
How Much Does It Cost to Start a Vending Machine Business in the UK?
Machine prices, site commission, stock and realistic profit margins for a UK vending machine business in 2026.
How Much Does It Cost to Open a Fish and Chip Shop in the UK?
From the frying range to the first fish order: startup costs for a shop, an established business or a mobile trailer, plus monthly running costs.
How Much Does It Cost to Open a Sweet Shop in the UK? (2026)
From pick-and-mix jars to shop fit-out, here are the honest startup costs of opening a sweet shop in the UK in 2026.
How Much Does It Cost to Start a Candle Making Business in the UK?
Starting a candle business in the UK costs anywhere from £200 for a home hobby setup to over £3,000 for a serious launch.
How Much Does It Cost to Open an Etsy Shop in the UK?
Opening an Etsy shop is free but the ongoing fees and startup equipment can add up fast.
How Much Does It Cost to Start a Coffee Van Business in the UK?
Starting a coffee van business in the UK costs between £15,000 and £65,000 depending on your setup and ambitions.
How Much Does It Cost to Start a Limited Company in the UK?
Companies House fees, accountants, bank accounts, and everything else you need to budget for.
How Much Does Public Liability Insurance Cost in the UK?
Cover levels, costs by business type, and when you actually need it versus when you do not.
How Much Does It Cost to Open a Barber Shop in the UK?
Full breakdown from lease deposits to chairs, plus monthly running costs and how to cut them.
How Much Does It Cost to Open a Cafe in the UK?
From lease deposits and fit out to espresso machines and monthly running costs — the full picture.
How Much Does It Cost to Start a Food Truck in the UK?
Vehicle, equipment, licences, insurance, and monthly running costs with real numbers for street food businesses.
How Much Does It Cost to Start a Cleaning Business in the UK?
Equipment, insurance, marketing, and running costs for residential and commercial cleaning businesses.
How Much Does It Cost to Start a Personal Training Business in the UK?
Real numbers for equipment, insurance, qualifications, gym rental, and monthly running costs.
How Much Does It Cost to Start a Dog Walking Business in the UK?
Insurance, equipment, marketing, and running costs with real numbers for starting a pet services business.
How Much Does It Cost to Start a Mobile Hairdressing Business in the UK?
Equipment, insurance, qualifications, and running costs for starting a mobile hair business.
How Much Does It Cost to Open a Tattoo Studio in the UK?
Premises, equipment, licensing, insurance, and running costs with real numbers for opening a tattoo shop.
How Much Does It Cost to Start a Photography Business in the UK?
Camera equipment, insurance, website, marketing, and running costs for wedding, portrait, and commercial photography.
How Much Does It Cost to Become a Childminder in the UK?
Registration, training, equipment, insurance, and Ofsted requirements with real numbers.
How Much Does It Cost to Start a Pet Sitting Business in the UK?
Full breakdown of pet sitting startup costs in the UK for 2026. Insurance, DBS checks, equipment, licensing, and realistic income expectations for new pet sitters.
How Much Does It Cost to Start a Bookkeeping Business in the UK?
Full breakdown of UK bookkeeping business startup costs in 2026. Software, qualifications, insurance, marketing and monthly running costs with real numbers.
How Much Does It Cost to Start a Driving Instructor Business in the UK?
Full breakdown of UK driving instructor startup costs in 2026. ADI training fees, car costs, insurance, franchise vs independent, and what you can earn as a qualified instructor.
How Much Does It Cost to Start a Handyman Business in the UK?
Full breakdown of handyman business startup costs in the UK for 2026. Tools, insurance, van, certification, and realistic income expectations with real numbers.
How Much Does It Cost to Start a Pressure Washing Business in the UK?
Full breakdown of UK pressure washing startup costs in 2026. Equipment, insurance, van, and realistic income expectations for a sole trader.
How Much Does It Cost to Start a Gardening Business in the UK?
Full breakdown of UK gardening business startup costs in 2026. Equipment, insurance, van, round building, and realistic income expectations for a solo gardener.
How Much Does It Cost to Start a Window Cleaning Business in the UK?
Full breakdown of UK window cleaning startup costs in 2026. Equipment, round building, insurance, van, and monthly running costs with realistic income expectations.
How Much Does It Cost to Start a Car Valeting Business in the UK?
Full breakdown of UK car valeting business startup costs in 2026. Mobile vs fixed unit, equipment, insurance, licensing, and monthly running costs with real numbers.
How Much Does It Cost to Start a Tutoring Business in the UK?
Full breakdown of tutoring business startup costs in the UK for 2026. Equipment, insurance, DBS checks, marketing, and monthly running costs with real numbers.
How Much Does It Cost to Start a Nail Salon in the UK?
Full breakdown of UK nail salon startup costs in 2026. Premises, equipment, training, licensing, insurance, and monthly running costs with real numbers.
How Much Does It Cost to Start a Virtual Assistant Business in the UK?
Full breakdown of what it costs to start a virtual assistant business in the UK in 2026. Equipment, software, insurance, rates you can charge, and how to get your first clients without spending money.
How Much Does It Cost to Start a Florist Business in the UK?
Full breakdown of florist startup costs in the UK for 2026. Retail unit costs, refrigeration, stock, insurance, licensing, and monthly running costs with real numbers.