Business License Cost Calculator
Navigate the complex world of business licensing with confidence. This calculator helps entrepreneurs and business owners estimate costs for obtaining required licenses and permits. From general retail to highly regulated industries like healthcare, food service, and cannabis, get accurate estimates for research, application preparation, and compliance services. Includes options for multi-location businesses and ongoing compliance support.
Try the Calculator
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export function businessLicenseCalculator(form: FormTs) {
// Business types and complexity
const businessTypes: Record<string, { baseComplexity: number, typicalLicenses: number }> = {
'general-retail': { baseComplexity: 1.0, typicalLicenses: 2 },
'restaurant-food': { baseComplexity: 1.8, typicalLicenses: 5 },
'bar-alcohol': { baseComplexity: 2.2, typicalLicenses: 4 },
'healthcare-medical': { baseComplexity: 2.5, typicalLicenses: 6 },
'construction': { baseComplexity: 1.5, typicalLicenses: 3 },
'professional-services': { baseComplexity: 1.2, typicalLicenses: 2 },
'manufacturing': { baseComplexity: 1.8, typicalLicenses: 4 },
'transportation': { baseComplexity: 2.0, typicalLicenses: 4 },
'childcare': { baseComplexity: 2.0, typicalLicenses: 5 },
'real-estate': { baseComplexity: 1.4, typicalLicenses: 2 },
'finance-insurance': { baseComplexity: 2.3, typicalLicenses: 4 },
'cannabis': { baseComplexity: 3.0, typicalLicenses: 8 },
'home-based': { baseComplexity: 0.8, typicalLicenses: 1 },
'ecommerce': { baseComplexity: 0.9, typicalLicenses: 2 },
'franchise': { baseComplexity: 1.6, typicalLicenses: 3 }
};
// Service packages
const servicePackages: Record<string, { baseFee: number, description: string }> = {
'research-only': { baseFee: 350, description: 'License requirements research' },
'basic': { baseFee: 750, description: 'Research + Application prep' },
'standard': { baseFee: 1500, description: 'Full service single location' },
'premium': { baseFee: 2500, description: 'Full service + expedited handling' },
'enterprise': { baseFee: 5000, description: 'Multi-location comprehensive' }
};
form.addRow(row => {
row.addTextPanel('header', {
computedValue: () => 'Business License Cost Calculator',
customStyles: { 'font-size': '1.5rem', 'font-weight': '600', 'color': '#1e293b' }
});
});
form.addSpacer({ height: 20 });
// Business Details Section
const businessSection = form.addSubform('business', { title: '🏢 Business Details' });
businessSection.addRow(row => {
row.addDropdown('type', {
label: 'Business Type',
options: [
{ id: 'general-retail', name: 'General Retail' },
{ id: 'restaurant-food', name: 'Restaurant / Food Service' },
{ id: 'bar-alcohol', name: 'Bar / Alcohol Sales' },
{ id: 'healthcare-medical', name: 'Healthcare / Medical' },
{ id: 'construction', name: 'Construction / Contracting' },
{ id: 'professional-services', name: 'Professional Services' },
{ id: 'manufacturing', name: 'Manufacturing' },
{ id: 'transportation', name: 'Transportation / Logistics' },
{ id: 'childcare', name: 'Childcare / Education' },
{ id: 'real-estate', name: 'Real Estate' },
{ id: 'finance-insurance', name: 'Finance / Insurance' },
{ id: 'cannabis', name: 'Cannabis (where legal)' },
{ id: 'home-based', name: 'Home-Based Business' },
{ id: 'ecommerce', name: 'E-commerce / Online' },
{ id: 'franchise', name: 'Franchise' }
],
defaultValue: 'general-retail',
isRequired: true
}, '1fr');
row.addDropdown('structure', {
label: 'Business Structure',
options: [
{ id: 'sole-proprietor', name: 'Sole Proprietorship' },
{ id: 'partnership', name: 'Partnership' },
{ id: 'llc', name: 'LLC' },
{ id: 'corporation', name: 'Corporation' },
{ id: 's-corp', name: 'S-Corporation' },
{ id: 'nonprofit', name: 'Non-Profit' }
],
defaultValue: 'llc',
isRequired: true
}, '1fr');
});
businessSection.addRow(row => {
row.addDropdown('locations', {
label: 'Number of Locations',
options: [
{ id: '1', name: '1 Location' },
{ id: '2-3', name: '2-3 Locations (+$500/location)' },
{ id: '4-10', name: '4-10 Locations (+$400/location)' },
{ id: '10+', name: '10+ Locations (Custom quote)' }
],
defaultValue: '1',
isRequired: true
}, '1fr');
row.addCheckbox('newBusiness', {
label: 'New Business (not existing)',
defaultValue: true
}, '1fr');
});
// Location & Jurisdiction Section
const locationSection = form.addSubform('location', { title: '📍 Location & Jurisdiction' });
locationSection.addRow(row => {
row.addDropdown('stateComplexity', {
label: 'State Regulatory Complexity',
options: [
{ id: 'low', name: 'Low (TX, FL, NV)' },
{ id: 'medium', name: 'Medium (Most states)' },
{ id: 'high', name: 'High (CA, NY, MA)' }
],
defaultValue: 'medium',
isRequired: true
}, '1fr');
row.addDropdown('localRequirements', {
label: 'Local Licensing Requirements',
options: [
{ id: 'minimal', name: 'Minimal' },
{ id: 'standard', name: 'Standard' },
{ id: 'extensive', name: 'Extensive (Major cities)' }
],
defaultValue: 'standard',
isRequired: true
}, '1fr');
});
locationSection.addRow(row => {
row.addCheckbox('zoningReview', {
label: 'Zoning Compliance Review (+$300)',
defaultValue: false
}, '1fr');
row.addCheckbox('permitAssistance', {
label: 'Building/Health Permit Assistance (+$400)',
defaultValue: false
}, '1fr');
});
// Service Package Section
const serviceSection = form.addSubform('service', { title: '📦 Service Package' });
serviceSection.addRow(row => {
row.addRadioButton('package', {
label: 'Service Level',
options: [
{ id: 'research-only', name: 'Research Only ($350) - Requirements analysis' },
{ id: 'basic', name: 'Basic ($750) - Research + application prep' },
{ id: 'standard', name: 'Standard ($1,500) - Full service' },
{ id: 'premium', name: 'Premium ($2,500) - Full service + expedited' },
{ id: 'enterprise', name: 'Enterprise ($5,000) - Multi-location' }
],
defaultValue: 'standard',
isRequired: true
});
});
serviceSection.addRow(row => {
row.addDropdown('urgency', {
label: 'Timeline',
options: [
{ id: 'standard', name: 'Standard (4-6 weeks)' },
{ id: 'expedited', name: 'Expedited (2-3 weeks) (+25%)' },
{ id: 'rush', name: 'Rush (1-2 weeks) (+50%)' }
],
defaultValue: 'standard',
isRequired: true
}, '1fr');
row.addCheckbox('filingFees', {
label: 'Include Estimated Filing Fees',
defaultValue: true
}, '1fr');
});
// Additional Services Section
const addonsSection = form.addSubform('addons', { title: '✨ Additional Services' });
addonsSection.addRow(row => {
row.addCheckbox('einRegistration', {
label: 'EIN Registration (+$100)',
defaultValue: false
}, '1fr');
row.addCheckbox('dbaFiling', {
label: 'DBA / Trade Name Filing (+$150)',
defaultValue: false
}, '1fr');
});
addonsSection.addRow(row => {
row.addCheckbox('stateRegistration', {
label: 'State Business Registration (+$200)',
defaultValue: false
}, '1fr');
row.addCheckbox('salesTaxPermit', {
label: 'Sales Tax Permit (+$150)',
defaultValue: false
}, '1fr');
});
addonsSection.addRow(row => {
row.addCheckbox('professionalLicense', {
label: 'Professional License Application (+$400)',
defaultValue: false
}, '1fr');
row.addCheckbox('renewalSetup', {
label: 'Renewal Tracking Setup (+$200)',
defaultValue: false
}, '1fr');
});
addonsSection.addRow(row => {
row.addCheckbox('complianceCalendar', {
label: 'Compliance Calendar (+$150)',
defaultValue: false
}, '1fr');
row.addCheckbox('ongoingSupport', {
label: 'Ongoing Support (12 mo) (+$600)',
defaultValue: false
}, '1fr');
});
form.addSpacer({ height: 20, showLine: true, lineStyle: 'dashed' });
// Summary Section
const summarySection = form.addSubform('summary', { title: '💰 Cost Estimate', isCollapsible: false });
summarySection.addRow(row => {
row.addPriceDisplay('serviceFee', {
label: 'Service Package Fee',
computedValue: () => {
const pkg = serviceSection.radioButton('package')?.value() || 'standard';
const businessType = businessSection.dropdown('type')?.value() || 'general-retail';
const stateComplexity = locationSection.dropdown('stateComplexity')?.value() || 'medium';
const packageInfo = servicePackages[pkg] || servicePackages['standard'];
let fee = packageInfo?.baseFee ?? 0;
const typeInfo = businessTypes[businessType] || businessTypes['general-retail'];
// Complexity multiplier
fee *= typeInfo?.baseComplexity ?? 0;
// State complexity
const stateMultipliers: Record<string, number> = {
'low': 0.85, 'medium': 1.0, 'high': 1.3
};
fee *= stateMultipliers[stateComplexity] || 1.0;
return Math.round(fee);
},
variant: 'default'
}, '1fr');
row.addPriceDisplay('locationFee', {
label: 'Additional Locations',
computedValue: () => {
const locations = businessSection.dropdown('locations')?.value() || '1';
if (locations === '1') return 0;
if (locations === '2-3') return 1000; // 2 additional at $500
if (locations === '4-10') return 2400; // 6 additional at $400
return 0;
},
variant: 'default',
prefix: '+'
}, '1fr');
});
summarySection.addRow(row => {
row.addPriceDisplay('additionalServices', {
label: 'Additional Services',
computedValue: () => {
let total = 0;
if (locationSection.checkbox('zoningReview')?.value()) total += 300;
if (locationSection.checkbox('permitAssistance')?.value()) total += 400;
if (addonsSection.checkbox('einRegistration')?.value()) total += 100;
if (addonsSection.checkbox('dbaFiling')?.value()) total += 150;
if (addonsSection.checkbox('stateRegistration')?.value()) total += 200;
if (addonsSection.checkbox('salesTaxPermit')?.value()) total += 150;
if (addonsSection.checkbox('professionalLicense')?.value()) total += 400;
if (addonsSection.checkbox('renewalSetup')?.value()) total += 200;
if (addonsSection.checkbox('complianceCalendar')?.value()) total += 150;
if (addonsSection.checkbox('ongoingSupport')?.value()) total += 600;
return total;
},
variant: 'default',
prefix: '+'
}, '1fr');
row.addPriceDisplay('urgencyFee', {
label: 'Urgency Premium',
computedValue: () => {
const pkg = serviceSection.radioButton('package')?.value() || 'standard';
const urgency = serviceSection.dropdown('urgency')?.value() || 'standard';
const packageInfo = servicePackages[pkg] || servicePackages['standard'];
const baseFee = packageInfo?.baseFee ?? 0;
const urgencyMultipliers: Record<string, number> = {
'standard': 0, 'expedited': 0.25, 'rush': 0.50
};
return Math.round(baseFee * (urgencyMultipliers[urgency] || 0));
},
variant: 'default',
prefix: '+'
}, '1fr');
});
summarySection.addRow(row => {
row.addPriceDisplay('filingFeesEstimate', {
label: 'Est. Filing Fees',
computedValue: () => {
if (!serviceSection.checkbox('filingFees')?.value()) return 0;
const businessType = businessSection.dropdown('type')?.value() || 'general-retail';
const stateComplexity = locationSection.dropdown('stateComplexity')?.value() || 'medium';
const typeInfo = businessTypes[businessType] || businessTypes['general-retail'];
// Base filing fees per license
let perLicenseFee = 75;
if (stateComplexity === 'high') perLicenseFee = 150;
return (typeInfo?.typicalLicenses ?? 0) * perLicenseFee;
},
variant: 'default',
prefix: '+',
suffix: ' (gov fees)'
}, '1fr');
});
const finalSection = form.addSubform('final', {
title: '🧾 Total Estimate',
isCollapsible: false,
sticky: 'bottom'
});
finalSection.addRow(row => {
row.addPriceDisplay('totalFee', {
label: 'Estimated Total',
computedValue: () => {
const pkg = serviceSection.radioButton('package')?.value() || 'standard';
const businessType = businessSection.dropdown('type')?.value() || 'general-retail';
const stateComplexity = locationSection.dropdown('stateComplexity')?.value() || 'medium';
const locations = businessSection.dropdown('locations')?.value() || '1';
const urgency = serviceSection.dropdown('urgency')?.value() || 'standard';
// Base service fee
const packageInfo = servicePackages[pkg] || servicePackages['standard'];
let fee = packageInfo?.baseFee ?? 0;
const typeInfo = businessTypes[businessType] || businessTypes['general-retail'];
fee *= typeInfo?.baseComplexity ?? 0;
const stateMultipliers: Record<string, number> = {
'low': 0.85, 'medium': 1.0, 'high': 1.3
};
fee *= stateMultipliers[stateComplexity] || 1.0;
// Locations
if (locations === '2-3') fee += 1000;
if (locations === '4-10') fee += 2400;
// Additional services
if (locationSection.checkbox('zoningReview')?.value()) fee += 300;
if (locationSection.checkbox('permitAssistance')?.value()) fee += 400;
if (addonsSection.checkbox('einRegistration')?.value()) fee += 100;
if (addonsSection.checkbox('dbaFiling')?.value()) fee += 150;
if (addonsSection.checkbox('stateRegistration')?.value()) fee += 200;
if (addonsSection.checkbox('salesTaxPermit')?.value()) fee += 150;
if (addonsSection.checkbox('professionalLicense')?.value()) fee += 400;
if (addonsSection.checkbox('renewalSetup')?.value()) fee += 200;
if (addonsSection.checkbox('complianceCalendar')?.value()) fee += 150;
if (addonsSection.checkbox('ongoingSupport')?.value()) fee += 600;
// Urgency
const urgencyMultipliers: Record<string, number> = {
'standard': 1.0, 'expedited': 1.25, 'rush': 1.50
};
fee *= urgencyMultipliers[urgency] || 1.0;
// Filing fees
if (serviceSection.checkbox('filingFees')?.value()) {
let perLicenseFee = 75;
if (stateComplexity === 'high') perLicenseFee = 150;
fee += (typeInfo?.typicalLicenses ?? 0) * perLicenseFee;
}
return Math.round(fee);
},
variant: 'large'
});
});
finalSection.addRow(row => {
row.addTextPanel('licenseCount', {
computedValue: () => {
const businessType = businessSection.dropdown('type')?.value() || 'general-retail';
const typeInfo = businessTypes[businessType] || businessTypes['general-retail'];
return `Typical licenses required: ${typeInfo?.typicalLicenses ?? 0}`;
},
customStyles: { 'font-size': '0.9rem', 'color': '#64748b', 'text-align': 'center' }
});
});
finalSection.addRow(row => {
row.addTextPanel('disclaimer', {
computedValue: () => 'This is an estimate. License requirements vary by location and business type. A consultation will confirm exact requirements and government filing fees for your specific situation.',
customStyles: { 'font-size': '0.8rem', 'color': '#64748b', 'font-style': 'italic' }
});
});
form.configureSubmitButton({
label: 'Get License Assessment'
});
}
Frequently Asked Questions
What licenses does my business need?
License requirements depend on your business type, location, and activities. Most businesses need at minimum a general business license. Additional licenses may include professional licenses, health permits, liquor licenses, and industry-specific permits.
How long does the licensing process take?
Timeline varies by license type and jurisdiction. Simple business licenses may take 1-2 weeks. Complex licenses like liquor or healthcare permits can take 3-6 months or longer. Our expedited service can help accelerate where possible.
What's included in the service packages?
Research Only identifies required licenses. Basic includes application preparation. Standard provides full-service including submission and follow-up. Premium adds expedited handling and priority support. Enterprise covers multi-location businesses comprehensively.
Do you handle license renewals?
Yes. We offer renewal tracking setup and ongoing support packages to ensure you never miss a renewal deadline and maintain continuous compliance.