# Equipment auction total purchase cost calculator

The winning bid is only part of what an auction machine costs. This calculator adds the hammer price, the buyer's premium, your own tax estimate, transport, rigging, installation and other fees into one total, then subtracts any deposit you already paid to show the cash still due. Use it before you bid so your maximum bid fits the full budget.

## Hypothetical example: a $48,000 winning bid with a 10% buyer's premium

| Cost | How it is calculated | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Hammer price | Winning bid | $48,000 |
| Buyer's premium | $48,000 x 10% | $4,800 |
| Tax estimate | Owner's own estimate | $3,000 |
| Transport | Hauler quote | $2,200 |
| Rigging and loading | Rigger quote | $1,500 |
| Installation and repairs | Technician quote | $2,500 |
| Total purchase cost | Sum of the lines above | $62,000 |
| Deposit already paid | Paid at registration | -$5,000 |
| Remaining cash due | $62,000 - $5,000 | $57,000 |
All figures are hypothetical, including the tax line, which is a placeholder for your own estimate. In this example the machine costs $14,000 more than the winning bid once everything is counted.

CalculatorNothing you type is sent anywhere. All math happens in your browser.

Hammer price (winning bid)Buyer's premium (%)Tax estimate (your own figure, in dollars)TransportRigging and loadingInstallation and repairsOther fees (title, storage, inspection)Deposit already paidBuyer's premium**Total purchase cost**Remaining cash due**

Prefilled with the hypothetical example below. Use your auction terms, your own tax estimate and written vendor quotes. Rates are not built in because they differ by auction and location.

## The formula

Total purchase cost is the sum of every quoted cost: hammer price, buyer's premium (hammer price times the premium percentage), tax estimate, transport, rigging, installation or repairs, and other fees. Remaining cash due is the total minus any deposit already paid. Nothing is estimated for you.

Tax rules differ by state, by auction and by how the equipment will be used, so the calculator asks for your own dollar estimate instead of applying a rate. Ask the auction house and your accountant which taxes apply.

## Set your maximum bid from the budget, not the other way around

Work backward. Decide the total you can afford, subtract the costs that do not depend on the bid (transport, rigging, setup, other fees), then divide what is left by one plus the premium percentage and any tax share. That is your ceiling before the auction starts.

For example, with a $62,000 total budget, $6,200 of fixed costs and a $3,000 tax estimate, $52,800 remains for the bid and premium. At a 10% premium, the highest bid that fits is $48,000. Run your own figures through the calculator to confirm.

## Which costs a funding request can cover

Equipment financing usually focuses on the machine itself, while transport, rigging and installation are often paid in cash or with working capital. Ask any funder which lines of your total they will consider, and plan cash for the rest.

Compare the two approaches on [equipment financing for auction and used equipment](https://primefundingnow.com/funding-solutions/equipment-financing-auction-and-used-equipment/), and read [how auction financing works](https://primefundingnow.com/blog/equipment-auction-financing/) before you register. If you have a specific auction date, start with [funding before the auction payment is due](https://primefundingnow.com/offers/equipment-auction-funding/).

## Deadlines that change the math

Auctions often require payment within days and removal by a set date. Storage fees after the pickup deadline and rush transport can add costs that were not in your plan. Add them to the other fees line as soon as you see the auction terms.

Get the payment and removal deadlines in writing, line up your documents, and [apply before the sale](https://primefundingnow.com/apply/) rather than after you win.

## Frequently asked questions

**What is a buyer's premium?**

A percentage the auction house adds to the winning bid. A $48,000 bid with a 10% premium costs $52,800 before tax, transport and setup. Check the auction terms, since the premium can differ by sale or payment method.

**Why doesn't the calculator include sales tax rates?**

Rates and exemptions vary by state, auction and equipment use, so any built-in figure could be wrong for you. Enter your own estimate in dollars, confirmed with the auction house or your accountant.

**Does the calculator send my numbers anywhere?**

No. All math runs in your browser and nothing is stored or sent. You can use it without giving any contact details.

**Can funding cover the buyer's premium and transport?**

It depends on the product and the funder. Equipment financing often focuses on the machine; working capital can cover broader costs. Ask which lines a funder will consider before you bid.

**How quickly can I get a decision before an auction?**

At Prime Funding Now, a decision is typically made within 24 hours of a complete application, and funding time varies by product. Apply before the sale so the payment deadline does not decide for you.

Apply: https://primefundingnow.com/apply/
Canonical: https://primefundingnow.com/tools/equipment-auction-total-cost-calculator/
Updated: 2026-10-17