Costs
How much does it cost to close a company?
Short answer
It depends on whether the company is solvent. A solvent company with no creditors can often be struck off for a small filing fee. An insolvent company needs a liquidation, and the liquidator's fees are usually met from the company's assets. Where there are no assets, the funding position is explained in writing before you commit to anything.
First question: is the company solvent?
If the company can pay everyone it owes, closing it is an administrative exercise. If it cannot, closing it is an insolvency process, and the cost sits in a different place entirely.
Applying to strike off a company that owes money is not a shortcut. Creditors, including HMRC, can object, and the application can be rejected or the company later restored.
What drives the cost of a liquidation?
- The number of creditors and how active they are.
- Whether there are assets to value and sell.
- Whether there are employees with redundancy claims.
- Whether there are leases, financed assets or disputes to deal with.
- Whether a director's loan account or other recovery has to be investigated.
A single-director company with no assets and a handful of creditors is a different piece of work from a company with premises, staff and financed plant.
How are the fees usually funded?
| Situation | Usual funding |
|---|---|
| The company has assets | Fees are normally met from realisations in the liquidation. |
| The company has no assets | The funding position is set out in writing before anything starts, so there are no surprises. |
| Solvent company, no creditors | The Companies House strike-off fee, plus any accountancy work to close the books. |
Costs depend on your situation and are explained in writing before anything starts. The first conversation is free. For the current Companies House strike-off process and fee, see the official page: GOV.UK: strike off your limited company
Is the first conversation chargeable?
No. The first conversation with Michael is free, confidential and informal, with no obligation, and no insolvency process is triggered by it. If you go further, the work and the fee are agreed in writing first.
Reviewed by Michael O'Connor, M.A. (Cantab), MABRP
Director and lead adviser. Last reviewed 2026-09-25.
Common questions
Can I just stop filing and let the company be struck off?
Not safely. Creditors can object, the company can be restored, and a director's conduct can still be reviewed. It also tends to make the eventual position worse.
Who pays if the company has nothing?
That is explained in writing before you commit. We will not start work on an assumption you have not agreed to.
Is a cheap fixed-fee liquidation a good idea?
Look at what is included and who is actually appointed. A formal appointment must be taken by a licensed insolvency practitioner.
Does closing the company clear my personal guarantees?
No. Guarantees are separate contracts and survive the company's closure.
Talk it through before you decide anything.
Free, confidential and informal. Michael replies personally, usually the same day.
Clear options for directors under pressure. One adviser, from the first call to the finish.
This page is general information, not legal or financial advice.