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Whether you’re a new general contractor or a more established professional, calculating your startup costs is an essential part of starting a business. This will help you budget effectively and prepare a winning financing strategy.
There are many different startup costs that a business must consider, including one-time costs and ongoing expenses. Knowing which ones to include in your calculations will be crucial.
Direct Costs
The startup costs of a contracting business are often quite high. These costs can be broken down into two categories: direct and indirect.
The direct costs of your business include the materials, equipment and labor you need to produce goods or services. For example, if you run a bakery, your direct cost includes the flour and eggs that go into making your breads.
You also need to pay for the rent on your business’s location and the wages that you pay your employees. Other expenses can be categorized as overhead, such as the cost of merchandise and utilities.
These indirect costs are not directly related to the production of your goods or services, but they are necessary for the operation of your business. Understanding these expenses will help you more accurately budget for your business.
General Expenses
There are several general expenses associated with starting a contracting business. These include office supplies, printing equipment, fax machines, computer software and hardware, internet access and security measures.
These are all deductible while filing your taxes, but they may be overlooked when you’re creating your budget.
Another cost is hiring people to help you with the day-to-day running of your business. These costs might include salaries, payroll tax payments, insurance and workers’ compensation.
Other costs include market research, marketing and advertising. These costs may be one time or recurring. For example, the most important of these might be a website to make your business more visible and easier to find on search engines. It could also be the cost of a social media ad or collaborating with influencers.
Labor Costs
If you’re planning to start a contracting business, it’s important to understand the startup costs. These costs will help you determine whether or not your company can survive in the competitive market.
Labor costs include the wages you pay employees, as well as benefits and payroll taxes. They’re one of the biggest expenses that a new business can incur, and they can rise as you grow.
There are many different ways to cut down on the cost of your labor, but it’s important to keep track of both direct and indirect labor. Understanding the difference between these two categories can save you a lot of time and headaches down the road.
Insurance
Insurance is a type of financial protection that protects people from specific risks. It is an agreement wherein a party (known as the insurer) agrees to cover a specific risk in exchange for a small payment from the insured (known as the premium).
This financial arrangement allows companies to spread out their losses over a large number of customers, making them more profitable than they would be otherwise. It is also an excellent way for businesses to attract investors and take out loans.
Taxes
Taxes are an important part of starting a contracting business. Depending on how your business is organized, you may need to pay federal, state and local taxes.
The best way to determine which tax entity is right for your business is to consult a CPA or attorney. These professionals can help you select the right structure and make sure that it complies with IRS requirements for record keeping, payroll taxes and reporting.
In addition to federal taxes, independent contractors must also pay state and local business taxes and registration fees in the cities and counties they operate in. The IRS has resources on state-specific taxation and licenses available to help you find the information you need.