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Business studies> Finance> Types of costs

Costs are expenses the company has to pay during the production of its product. There are 3 main types of costs, these are: fixed costs, variable costs, and semi-variable costs:

Fixed costs:
Costs that don't change over a period of time and don't vary with output. E.g. salaries, rent, tax, insurance, heating and lighting. Fixed costs can also be called indirect costs as they are not directly associated with the final product. Fixed costs have to be paid even if the company is not producing any goods.

Variable costs:
Costs that vary directly with output so when output increases, variable costs also increase. E.g. raw materials, electricity. Variable costs can also be called direct costs as they are directly associated with production.

Semi-variable costs:
These costs have fixed and variable elements. E.g. a person working for the company may have a fixed salary but may also earn commission on sales.

Total costs are calculated by adding together fixed, variable and semi-variable costs.