Business bank accounts (Tide, Starling, Monzo Business) are typically free to open at the basic tier, so not included as a cost line above. HMRC registration for Corporation Tax is also free.
Companies House fees increased on 1 February 2026 and are reviewed periodically — the £100/£156 figures above reflect the current digital rates. Always confirm current fees directly at Companies House / GOV.UK before paying, and consider speaking to an accountant about which structure (sole trader vs limited company) actually suits your situation before incorporating.
Registering a limited company in the UK is straightforward on paper — pick a name, file with Companies House, pay the fee — but the real cost and the right order of steps aren't always obvious until you're partway through. This checklist walks through every step in the sequence you'd actually do them, from checking your company name is available through to registering for Corporation Tax, alongside a live cost calculator so you know roughly what you'll spend before you start, not after.
It's built specifically around current 2026 Companies House fees, not older figures still floating around online from before the February 2026 fee increase.
Standard digital registration is usually processed within 24 hours. A same-day service is available for an extra fee if you need the company number more urgently.
Yes — every UK limited company must have one, and it's a public record. Many people use their home address to save money, but that means your home address becomes publicly searchable, which is why a registered office service is a common optional add-on.
Yes — this is completely standard for a one-person company. You'll appear on the public register in both roles, and identity verification is required for all directors under current rules.