Business Startup Tools2 min check

Company Setup Checker

Get a recommended UK business structure based on your expected turnover, risk profile and growth plans.

Short answer

Setting up a UK limited company costs £50 direct with Companies House (£12 online) and takes 24 hours. You'll need: a company name, a UK registered office, at least one director (16+), at least one shareholder, a SIC code, and PSC details. After incorporation: register for Corporation Tax (within 3 months of trading), open a business bank account, and consider VAT and PAYE.

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How it works

The checklist walks the full sequence — name check → incorporation → bank account → tax registrations → accounting software → insurance — and flags decisions that have long-term tax or legal implications (share structure, director/shareholder split, accounting reference date).

Worked example

Solo founder setting up a consultancy: incorporate via Companies House (£12), open Tide/Starling business account (free), register for Corporation Tax, start with FreeAgent (£19/mo), get £1m PI insurance (£250/yr). Total day-one cost: ~£300.

Who should use this

•First-time founders incorporating
•Sole traders moving to limited
•Contractors setting up a PSC

Common mistakes

×Using your home as registered office without privacy filtering — it appears on public record
×Issuing 100 shares of £1 each — locks up cash if undercapitalised
×Missing the Confirmation Statement deadline (£40 fine + risk of strike-off)

Frequently asked questions

Can I be a director and shareholder?▾

Yes — most small companies have one person doing both.

Do I need an accountant?▾

Strongly recommended once you have a limited company — Corporation Tax, payroll and dividends all need filing correctly.

Related calculators

Sole Trader vs Ltd →VAT Registration Checker →Director Salary Calculator →