{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/total-project-cost","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/total-project-cost","data_freshness":{"sba_records_through":"2026-05-31","fdic_records_through":"2026-03-31","dealroom_last_updated":"2026-06-15","timezone":"America/Chicago"},"source_summary":["Public SBA 7(a) loan records","FDIC institution data","DealRoom lender and franchise enrichment"],"term":{"slug":"total-project-cost","term":"Total project cost","group":"Reading the business","definition":"The complete sum of all funds needed to acquire a business, including the purchase price, working capital, closing costs, and any required renovations or fees. This is the full financing picture.","what_it_means":"When applying for a 7(a) loan, you'll need to clearly outline your total project cost. This includes the business purchase price, real estate (if applicable), inventory, working capital, lender fees, and SBA guaranty fees. This total amount determines the loan size needed and your required equity injection.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/total-project-cost","official_sources":[{"slug":"sop-50-10","title":"SOP 50 10 — Lender and Development Company Loan Programs","official_url":"https://www.sba.gov/document/sop-50-10-lender-development-company-loan-programs","official_label":"View on SBA.gov","authority_tier":2,"publisher":"U.S. Small Business Administration","source_guide_url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/sources/sop-50-10"},{"slug":"terms-conditions-eligibility","title":"7(a) Loan Program — Terms, Conditions, and Eligibility","official_url":"https://www.sba.gov/partners/lenders/7a-loan-program/terms-conditions-eligibility","official_label":"View on SBA.gov","authority_tier":5,"publisher":"U.S. Small Business Administration","source_guide_url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/sources/terms-conditions-eligibility"}],"related":[{"slug":"equity-injection","term":"Equity injection","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/equity-injection"},{"slug":"working-capital","term":"Working capital","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/working-capital"},{"slug":"lender-closing-costs","term":"Lender closing costs","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/lender-closing-costs"},{"slug":"guaranty-fee","term":"Guaranty fee","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/guaranty-fee"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"Can closing costs such as legal and accounting fees be included in the total project cost for the 10% calculation?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-closing-costs-such-as-legal-and-accounting-fees-be-included-in-the-total-project-cost-"},{"question":"For an acquisition with significant goodwill, what maximum goodwill percentage can the SBA 7(a) loan finance relative to the total project cost?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/for-an-acquisition-with-significant-goodwill-what-maximum-goodwill-percentage-can-the-sba-"},{"question":"What percentage of the project cost does the SBA typically expect as a down payment?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/what-percentage-of-the-project-cost-does-the-sba-typically-expect-as-a-down-payment"},{"question":"How does a lender request an increase to an authorized 7(a) loan amount due to unforeseen project cost increases?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/how-does-a-lender-request-an-increase-to-an-authorized-7-a-loan-amount-due-to-unforeseen-p"},{"question":"Are closing costs, like attorney fees, eligible to be part of the project costs for an SBA loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/are-closing-costs-like-attorney-fees-eligible-to-be-part-of-the-project-costs-for-an-sba-l"},{"question":"If I buy a business with real estate, can the SBA loan finance a commercial renovation project costing $300,000?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/if-i-buy-a-business-with-real-estate-can-the-sba-loan-finance-a-commercial-renovation-proj"}]},"caveats":["Definitions represent DealRoom's plain-English interpretation for buyers; verify regulatory terms against the official SBA and eCFR sources listed.","Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an SBA eligibility determination."],"citation":{"label":"DealRoom.so Glossary — Total project cost","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/total-project-cost","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}