Many great people possess magnificent ideas for a business that will never take off simply because of finances. As a consultant, the one question I get several times each day is, "What will it cost?" This question should be at the forefront of your business plan. How does one begin to assess costs? We'll start with your idea.

Ideas, fortunately, are free--until you decide to implement them. Does your idea require a patent or a trademark? What will you call the entity? Will you require a professional license? Do you need local or state licenses? If there are two or more people involved, will you form a partnership or a corporation? If you're going to be a sole proprietorship, consider potential personal liability should something happen to a client or visitor on your property. These are only a few of the things to consider as you set up shop.

There's a cost to every one of these details, even if you do your own legwork. For example, you can download forms from your secretary of state's office and fill them out yourself, but you'll have to pay a registration fee. I learned in law school that consumers can cut some corners. But when it comes to registration, taxes and especially trademarks and patents, give serious consideration to consulting a professional.

Before you give up your New Year's resolution to start your business, let's visit some alternatives. If you are intimidated by formal documents, perhaps you can negotiate an arrangement with a local accountant. I love attorneys (I'm one myself), but from a monetary viewpoint, sometimes a substitute professional can offer comparable services that fit your budget. Many accountants can file your business forms as well as an attorney and give you tax information along the way. If you use an accountant well-versed in small business, the cost may be significantly less and the result the same.

One of my franchises used an attorney to incorporate at a cost of $2,500, including filing fees of $80. Another used her family accountant. Her cost was $60 plus $75 in filing fees. Both received identical paperwork and copies of the appropriately filed documents, as required by their respective states.

Internet businesses also can register your company for a reasonable fee, such as LegalZoom.com. You'll want to compare several with regard to price and service. Investigate the options available if you use an online corporation, and be aware of additional costs you might incur. For example, it will cost more if you choose to use the "expedited service."

Always hire the right professional for the task and negotiate the cost prior to starting the project. As in any business negotiation, nothing is set in stone. One caveat: If you have a complex business startup, employment problem, product liability or any claims against your business, your attorney will become your best friend and the one who can literally make the difference between your business surviving or not.

Be a smart consumer when shopping for a professional. When looking for an accountant, attorney or business advisor, be prepared to briefly explain what you are doing, ask about the cost per hour or, better yet, arrange for a flat fee per project. Ask exactly what you'll be receiving for the price so you'll know about additional costs such as photocopies, postage or filing fees. Don't be caught off guard if you're charged per minute for a quick telephone call.

I recommend phoning your professional of choice to get an idea of the cost of the project. Follow up with a meeting if applicable and inquire whether you can arrange this get-together without paying a consulting fee. Some professionals will charge by the hour just to get an idea of what you want.

Some elements of your business setup will be non-negotiable, such as state and local business licenses. Other aspects are completely negotiable, including advertising, professional fees, office space, cell phones, employee salaries and banking.

Build a budget before you delve into your venture. That process will help you decide whether your idea is feasible. When computing a startup budget, some people get discouraged immediately by the cost of filing fees and the time spent to consider a name and possible logo.

I've started numerous businesses. The process isn't bad if you're organized and prepared. Make a checklist of things you need to do. Do internet research to find out the costs involved. Don't forget essentials, such as the cost of credit card acceptance, maintenance fees on your bank account, and phones, office supplies and employees.

I opened a new business this month and visited two banks for comparison. One bank charged maintenance fees and inflated costs related to every aspect of a new checking account. The price of printing my business checks was three times what I had paid in the past. The banker wasn't particularly engaging and had little time to consult with me about opening an account. I went down the street and met with another banker who offered me free checking, suggested a printing company to print my checks at an impressive rate and even gave me a stuffed pony as a welcome gift. It took 35 minutes to compare the two banks, set up an account and calculate my savings.

The great thing about setting up a business is that a lot of things only have to be done once, such as securing a state license, setting up a bank account and designing a logo. The process really is doable. The limited liability corporation I just set up has cost me $420 so far, and we're showing a profit as of Jan 11. Assessing need, researching costs and being open to alternatives are effective ways to begin a new enterprise. Stay positive and stay tuned for more advice as we address new options to get you up and running in 2010.