Product cost calculator: calculate expenses

Today, many people turn their hobby into a business. Some make craft soap, others sew baby diapers, pour scented candles, make wooden furniture or bake custom cakes. The first sales usually go to friends and acquaintances, and we often set the price out of our heads. But when it comes to entering the real market (for example, on marketplaces like Wildberries or Ozon), the wrong price can quickly ruin the master.

To help you know exactly how much it costs to produce one unit of your product, we've made this simple calculator. It will help take into account all the hidden little things that beginners often forget about.

What does the real cost consist of?

Many craftsmen consider only direct costs. For example: “I bought wax for 100 rubles and a wick for 10 rubles. This means the cost of the candle is 110 rubles.” This is a huge mistake! Our calculator will ask you to fill out several important fields at once:

• Raw materials. The same wax, fabric, flour or boards.
• Packaging Boxes, ribbons, bubble wrap, stickers - all this costs money.
• Equipment depreciationYour sewing machine, oven, or blender will wear out. Part of their cost must be included in each product.
• Your work. The most underrated point. You must pay yourself a salary for the hours spent!

Hidden stage: legalization and documents for the goods

Let’s say you’ve calculated everything, set aside your profit, and are ready to ship the first batch to the marketplace or hand over the goods for sale to a local store. And here the main problem arises. The site asks you for documents: a certificate of conformity or a safety declaration.

Selling goods (especially cosmetics, food or baby items) without inspection is illegal. To avoid receiving a huge fine, you need to obtain permits. It is very difficult to do this on your own: you need to know the laws and look for laboratories. It is much easier to entrust this to professionals. You can order the execution of any documents on the website https://sertifikat.bz. The Astels Standardization Center has been doing this since 2012 and solves paper issues on a turnkey basis.

How do certificate authorities help small and medium-sized businesses?

There is no need to be afraid of the word “standardization”. In fact, expert companies make sure that your business operates legally and inspires confidence among buyers. Here's how they can help the manufacturer:

1. Product testing. The company cooperates with real laboratories (including those from Rospotrebnadzor). Your product will be checked, and you will receive an official document that your cosmetics do not cause allergies, and the toys are safe for children.
2. Certification of services. If you do not produce goods, but, for example, opened a car service or beauty salon, you also need supporting documents.
3. Implementing ISO. It sounds scary, but in reality it is just an international system of rules. If experts help you implement ISO standards, your production will start running without failures, defects and waste of materials. And the presence of such a certificate greatly increases the status of the brand.

Why is it better to delegate paperwork?

A craftsman's time is valuable. While you spend weeks studying GOST standards, standing in queues at government agencies and trying to correctly fill out an application for testing, you could produce and sell dozens of your products.

Working with a trusted center saves your nerves and money. You simply give a sample of your product, and the specialists take care of all the examination, communication with laboratories and paperwork. As a result, you receive a ready-made document and can safely trade on any platform in the country.

Table: Example of calculating a simple candle

Conclusion

A successful business starts with having the right numbers and following the laws. Use our product cost calculator to always be in the black, and don’t forget to issue certificates for your products on time. An honest and high-quality product will always find its loyal buyer!