Projecting Your Startup CostsGet real when it comes to accurately figuring out just what it'll cost you to get your business off the ground.

Do you know how much it will cost to get your business off theground? The SBA recently asked a group of entrepreneurs in theprocess of starting businesses exactly how much they expected tospend on startup. Solo entrepreneurs projected costs at $6,000 (themedian), while team ventures projected $20,000.

Are those realistic estimates? It depends on your business, saythe experts. To get the most realistic estimates of startup costs,start with a detailed business plan, says Tom Perkins, businesscoach, motivational speaker and founder of theVirtualBusiness Managerin Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Categorizeabsolutely everything that will cost you money, from build-outcosts and equipment leases to rent and utilities for office space."A lot of times, people don't actually get a fair overviewof what's really involved in the [startup] expenses," saysPerkins.