How Much Does It Cost to Start a Business in the UK?
A practical breakdown of common UK start-up costs in 2026, covering registration, insurance, domains, websites and indicative ranges for six business types.
UK start-up costs depend on the legal structure, trade, insurance needs, equipment, stock and premises. This guide separates the reviewed company-formation charges from indicative planning ranges. Use the ranges to build a first budget, then obtain quotes for your own circumstances before committing.
A practical first budget
Not every business needs every item below. A consultant working from home has a different cost base from a café with a lease, fit-out and stock. The non-formation figures are indicative planning ranges, not quotes or promises about what a particular business will spend.
- Registering as a sole trader with HMRCCheck the HMRC process and any chosen support costs
- Forming a limited companyForm your company from £102.99, including the £100 Companies House fee and identity verification
- A domain nameIndicative: roughly £10 to £15 for the first year
- A designed one page website£149 fixed through the NameGenie Launch Site
- Business insuranceIndicative: roughly £60 to £500 a year depending on trade
- Accounting software or an accountantIndicative: roughly £10 to £150 a month
The current formation offer is: Form your company from £102.99, including the £100 Companies House fee and identity verification. The £50 digital confirmation statement fee applies to the first statement filed in each 12-month payment period. A domain can have a different registration, renewal or premium price, so compare all applicable charges at the registrar. The £149 one-page website is a complete optional NameGenie Launch Site price; hosting, content and wider website requirements should still be checked against the service scope.
Indicative ranges by business type
Stock, premises, qualifications and equipment can change the budget materially. These examples are planning starting points, each linked to a focused guide with the assumptions behind the range.
- Cleaning businessIndicative: under £1,000
- ConsultancyIndicative: under £1,000
- Personal training businessIndicative: under £700 if already qualified
- Photography businessIndicative: under £900 with kit owned
- Online shopIndicative: £1,000 to £6,000
- CaféIndicative: £30,000 to £150,000
Research before paying
Searching the Companies House register is free. Name generation and the initial NameGenie checks are also free and require no account. Banking, insurance, accountancy and software pricing varies by provider, eligibility and service level, so compare the ongoing terms rather than assuming a no-fee offer covers everything you need.
The business-domain guide explains NameGenie's current domain evidence. An explicit registrar result is current registrar evidence. Otherwise, conservative DNS evidence may identify active records; if neither establishes a result, the status is Not confirmed. Verify the final domain status, registration price and renewal price with the registrar before purchase.
The Companies House exact-match screen is an initial search, not name approval. NameGenie presents current registrar evidence where returned and an initial screen for exact Companies House matches. Verify these results independently. A no-match result does not clear the wider company-name rules. Companies House makes the final decision on registration and applies those rules, so the screen is not a registration decision. Trade marks require a separate search in the relevant classes and territories.
Questions founders ask
What is the cheapest way to start a business in the UK?
Start by identifying what is legally required for your structure and trade, then separate it from optional launch work. A sole trader and a limited company have different obligations. Insurance, licences, premises and equipment may still be necessary before the first sale, so a universal minimum is not useful.
How much does a limited company cost to run each year?
The £50 digital confirmation statement fee applies to the first statement filed in each 12-month payment period. Also plan for accounts, tax administration and any professional support you choose. The amount depends on transaction volume, payroll, VAT, complexity and how much record keeping you handle yourself. Dormant companies still have filing obligations.
Do I need an accountant from day one?
It depends on your structure, confidence and complexity. Software may suit straightforward records; professional advice may be valuable where tax, payroll, VAT or company filings are unfamiliar. Ask what is included, who is responsible for each filing and whether the fee changes as you grow.
Facts reviewed 25 August 2026. Sources: Companies House fees, Companies House identity verification, Companies House company-name and trade-mark guidance, and formation partner package.