How much a stock count costs: what makes up the price
What a stock count price includes, how item numbers and work mode affect it, what to budget in Uzbekistan and how to lower the cost without losing quality.
When a manager opens a commercial offer, the eye goes to one number. But if two companies differ by a factor of two, one is rarely just cheaper: they are usually pricing different work. So before comparing prices it helps to know what makes them up.
What the price includes
A stock count is more than counting. A full service usually covers:
- a site visit and a count plan;
- getting and checking book balances from 1C or Excel;
- the count team, a second check and a supervisor;
- reconciliation with the books and recounts of differences;
- the variance sheet, the count report and conclusions.
If one of these lines is missing from an offer, you will pay for it separately or do it yourself. With a written brief, companies quote for the same job.
What affects the cost most
Number of items. The main driver is not floor area but how many different items must be counted. In a large warehouse identical pallets count quickly, while in a small parts shop every shelf takes time. The price per item falls as volume grows.
Work mode. Counting during working hours is cheapest. Nights and weekends carry higher pay, so about 35% is added. Working without stopping the warehouse, zone by zone, costs about 30% more because stock movements must be rechecked.
State of the records. Clean balances reconcile quickly. If one item sits under several names, or receipts and issues are not closed, analysing differences takes longer.
Location and branches. Several branches or a site in another region mean team travel and counting at the same time.
Price guide
The figures below match the calculator on this site and are a preliminary estimate:
- stock count: 1,000 items about UZS 4 mln, 10,000 about 18 mln, 50,000 about 53 mln;
- fixed assets with tagging: 1,000 units about 5 mln, 10,000 about 28 mln;
- warehouse audit: 1,000 items about 12 mln, 10,000 about 25 mln, 50,000 about 42 mln;
- labelling: 1,000 units about 2.5 mln, 10,000 about 15 mln.
The minimum order is UZS 2 mln, which covers travel, preparation and the report. You can work out your own volume in the calculator and print the estimate.
How to lower the cost
- Close your documents before the count: receipts, issues and transfers must be posted.
- Group the goods, merge open cartons and label locations.
- Hand over the book balance file a day before the count.
- If counting in working hours is possible, skip the night mode.
- Separate damaged and dead stock in advance, as it slows the count down.
How to compare offers
Do not look at the total alone. Ask what one item costs, whether a recount is included, which documents you receive and when the result will be ready. We have a separate article on comparing offers. The sample report shows what the finished document looks like.
Need an exact figure? See the stock count service page or message us: we will visit the site and fix the price in the contract.