Wet-lab launch planner
Price and permit a two-founder lab before you sign a lease
Pick a location, an operating model and a first workflow. The planner prices the kit to own versus share, the cash needed to reach a first reproducible result, and the permissions to resolve for that jurisdiction. The default is a dedicated kit inside an established shared lab, not a standalone facility.
Planning estimates in USD, not supplier quotations, site approvals or legal advice. The U.S./California baseline is sourced; other regimes are marked as drafts until locally reviewed.
01Configure
Where, how and what you will run first
Baseline model. Gates and costs transcribed from the source workbook; public sources checked 2026-09-26.
Low, base and high are independent planning allowances, not confidence intervals.
02Cash requirement
$69,739 for 6 months of lab operations
Shared laboratory, base case, United States — California. Includes setup, deposit and operating costs; excludes founder pay unless enabled in assumptions.
One-time launch
$13,639
Setup + contingency, no deposit
Refundable deposit
$4,500
Cash tied up, not an expense
Monthly operating
$8,600
Excludes payroll
6-month lab cash
$69,739
Setup + deposit + runway
Year-one lab cash
$121,339
12 operating months
Matches the source workbook’s formulas and allowances. Planning estimates, not quotations.
| Same scope, both models | Shared laboratory ● | Private lab-ready suite |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment and initial stock | $6,400 | $22,750 |
| One-time launch | $13,639 | $54,812 |
| Refundable deposit | $4,500 | $7,000 |
| Monthly operating | $8,600 | $12,150 |
| 6-month lab cash | $69,739 | $134,712 |
| Year-one lab cash | $121,339 | $207,612 |
| Target launch window | 4–6 weeks | 8–16+ weeks |
03Bill of materials
Own the basics, share everything expensive
Set each item to own, share with the host, or drop it. Choices are kept separately for the shared and private models. Every figure is a budget allowance, not a quotation.
| Item | Qty | Unit allowance | Decision | Line total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single-channel pipette set2 sets; each covers the required microliter ranges. Buy new; calibrate; compatible filtered tips. | 2 | $650 | $1,300 | |
| Multichannel pipette1; add only for regular plate work. Defer in shared model; reserve host unit. | 1 | $650 | $0 | |
| Mini spinnerQuick spin-down only; not a high-g replacement. Buy if host availability is inadequate. | 1 | $500 | $500 | |
| Vortex mixerVariable speed; tube adapter. Simple refurbished unit acceptable after checks. | 1 | $300 | $300 | |
| Dry block heaterMatched tube block; verified temperature. Share until recurring demand. | 1 | $450 | $0 | |
| High-g microcentrifugeMatched rated rotor; aerosol control per risk assessment. Inspect rotor, service history and warranty. | 1 | $2,500 | $0 | |
| BalancePrecision appropriate to assay; check weights. Share unless formulation is frequent. | 1 | $450 | $0 | |
| pH meterSuitable electrode and calibration buffers. Share; maintain electrode and calibration. | 1 | $400 | $0 | |
| Endpoint thermal cyclerLow-throughput; not quantitative PCR. Share initially; throughput drives specification. | 1 | $1,500 | $0 | |
| Gel and blue-light imagingPower supply, tank, safe light and image capture. Share initially; verify assay compatibility. | 1 | $1,000 | $0 | |
| Laboratory refrigeratorReagents only; monitored; no flammable storage. Host cold storage preferred. | 1 | $1,800 | $0 | |
| Laboratory −20 °C freezerReagents only; monitored; backup storage plan. Do not substitute domestic storage. | 1 | $2,800 | $0 | |
| Basic incubator / shakerOnly if the approved initial workflow needs it. Remove for cell-free-only work. | 1 | $1,800 | $0 | |
| Benches, stools and shelvingCleanable surfaces; 2 work positions. Avoid buying when supplied by landlord. | 1 | $3,000 | $0 | |
| Racks, controller and smallwareScope-specific trays, racks and handling tools. Buy; avoid unnecessary accessory packages. | 1 | $500 | $500 | |
| Labels and temperature monitoringTraceable labels; alarms for owned cold storage. Host alarms may cover cold storage. | 1 | $600 | $600 | |
| Initial PPE, spill and waste suppliesHost-approved protection and segregated containers. Safety reviewer selects specification, not a generic kit. | 1 | $700 | $700 | |
| Initial reagents and consumablesStarter stock only; replenishment is in the monthly budget. Approved materials; lot and expiry tracking. | 1 | $2,500 | $2,500 | |
| Equipment and initial stock (7 owned items) | $6,400 | |||
Share or outsource before buying
−80 °C storage · Autoclaving · Purified water · Quantitative PCR · Plate readers · Advanced microscopy · Flow cytometry · Sequencing · Chromatography · Mass spectrometry
Get written terms for availability, training, booking, usage fees, downtime and data export.
Every quotation must specify
- Intended use and performance: Capacity, accuracy, compatibility and required accessories
- Complete price: Equipment, accessories, shipping, taxes, installation, calibration and training
- Condition: New or refurbished, serial number, service history
- Acceptance: Performance checks, calibration documents, returns window
- Support: Warranty, repair turnaround, service and software support
- Consumables and data: Proprietary consumables, running costs, export formats and licences
04Budget breakdown
What the cash pays for
Replace shared-service lines with the host contract. Do not add waste, utilities, maintenance or safety charges the membership already includes.
| Equipment and initial stockOwned items in the bill of materials | $6,400 |
|---|---|
| Freight, duty and tax allowance15% blended uplift on equipment; replace with itemised quotes | $960 |
| Initial safety / scope reviewOne-time qualified review; recurring support is in the monthly budget | $2,000 |
| Legal / onboarding / permit reservePlanning reserve, not a published agency fee; permit fees need an address and a regulator quote | $1,500 |
| Minor site adaptationAssumes an existing lab-ready suite, not an office conversion or raw shell | $0 |
| Commissioning / calibrationInstallation, acceptance records and initial performance checks | $1,000 |
| Contingency (15%)Applied to one-time setup only | $1,779 |
| One-time launch | $13,639 |
| Space, benches and membershipTwo users; get bench size, storage, access and inclusions in writing | $4,500 |
|---|---|
| Reagent and disposable replenishmentOngoing consumption on top of the initial starter stock | $2,000 |
| Shared instruments and outsourced servicesSequencing, readouts and core access; can dominate assay-heavy projects | $1,000 |
| Safety support, waste and insuranceResidual costs only; do not add what the host membership already covers | $750 |
| Utilities and facility servicesShared base case assumes utilities are inside the membership | $0 |
| Data, calibration and maintenance reserveLaptops assumed already owned | $350 |
| Monthly total | $8,600 |
Not in this budget
Founder compensation (shown separately when enabled) · Major instrument purchases · Expensive assay-specific reagents · Clinical or animal studies · Manufacturing · Major construction · Substantial IP and legal work
Excluded from the starter package
Human or clinical specimens · Live pathogens · Animal work · Hazardous chemical synthesis · Environmental release · Regulated (GLP/GMP) studies or manufacturing · Raw-shell construction
05Permissions and regulatory gates
Gates for United States — California
Tick what the lab will actually do. Gates are applicability checks for the exact address, not legal determinations. There is no single approval that replaces them.
Activities
Site and permitted use
Always assess- Authority
- Municipal planning and building; landlord
- Instrument
- Local zoning, building and occupancy rules; lease
- Evidence
- Written approval of the use and exact work scope at this address
- When
- Before lease commitment
— Do not assume a former tenant’s approvals transfer.
Biosafety scope and risk assessment
Always assess- Authority
- Qualified biosafety/EHS reviewer; host
- Instrument
- CDC/NIH Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL), 6th ed. — advisory
- Evidence
- Materials and procedure inventory with a signed risk assessment
- When
- Before materials arrive
— No universal BSL-1 licence; the level follows risks, practices and facility.
Injury and Illness Prevention Program
Always assess- Authority
- Cal/OSHA
- Instrument
- Cal. Code Regs. tit. 8, §3203
- Evidence
- IIPP, training, incident reporting and emergency procedures
- When
- Before covered work
— Having two founders does not create a blanket exemption.
Insurance and contracts
Always assess- Authority
- Broker, host and counsel
- Instrument
- Workers’ compensation (Cal. Labor Code) plus commercial policies
- Evidence
- Liability, property and employee cover; IP, MTA, data and exit terms
- When
- Before occupancy
— Host insurance may not cover tenant property or liability.
Chemical Hygiene Plan
Triggered- Authority
- Cal/OSHA
- Instrument
- Cal. Code Regs. tit. 8, §5191
- Evidence
- Written CHP, Chemical Hygiene Officer, training and annual review
- When
- Before covered work
— Host policies must actually cover the tenant; allocate responsibilities in writing.
Hazardous materials inventory (HMBP)
Triggered- Authority
- Address-specific CUPA; CERS
- Instrument
- Hazardous Materials Business Plan program
- Evidence
- Applicability determination; inventory, site map and plan if required
- When
- Before storage thresholds are reached
— Local rules can be stricter; HMBP thresholds do not apply to waste.
Hazardous waste
Triggered- Authority
- CUPA; DTSC; U.S. EPA as applicable
- Instrument
- RCRA generator rules as implemented by California
- Evidence
- Waste characterisation, applicable IDs, storage and licensed collection
- When
- Before generating waste
— Generator category depends on monthly waste generated, not headcount.
Biological / medical waste
Triggered- Authority
- CDPH medical waste program or local enforcement agency; hauler
- Instrument
- California Medical Waste Management Act
- Evidence
- Written classification, registration check, collection or treatment route
- When
- Before generating waste
— Not all biological waste has the same regulatory classification.
Sewer and air discharge
Triggered- Authority
- Local sewer authority; air district
- Instrument
- Local pretreatment ordinance; air district rules
- Evidence
- Written applicability and discharge or emission controls
- When
- Before discharge or emission
— A shared host’s approval must cover the proposed activity.
Recombinant / synthetic nucleic acids
Triggered- Authority
- Institutional Biosafety Committee; NIH where applicable
- Instrument
- NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules
- Evidence
- Documented applicability or exemption; IBC registration where required
- When
- Before covered experiments
— Applicability follows funding and institution, but hosts and some cities require review regardless.
7 gates not triggered by your scope
Fire, building and mechanical
Not triggered- Authority
- Local fire and building authorities
- Instrument
- California Fire and Building Codes as locally adopted (example: Santa Clara County plan review)
- Evidence
- Required plan reviews, inspections and signed close-out
- When
- Before installation or use
— Any fume hood, exhaust or gas change needs site-specific review.
Human material and occupational exposure
Not triggered- Authority
- Cal/OSHA; occupational health; IRB/privacy review as applicable
- Instrument
- Cal. Code Regs. tit. 8, §5193 (Bloodborne Pathogens)
- Evidence
- Exposure control plan, training, vaccination offer, sourcing and research determinations
- When
- Separate project before acquisition
Clinical human testing
Not triggered- Authority
- CMS CLIA; CDPH Laboratory Field Services
- Instrument
- Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments, 42 CFR Part 493
- Evidence
- CLIA certificate, state licence where required, personnel qualifications
- When
- Before any patient-facing result
— Research-only labelling does not decide the question; actual use does.
Regulated preclinical studies or manufacturing
Not triggered- Authority
- FDA; qualified quality and regulatory leads
- Instrument
- Good Laboratory Practice, 21 CFR Part 58; cGMP for manufacturing
- Evidence
- Separate quality system, facility and budget decision
- When
- Before claiming regulatory readiness
Industrial organisms, pesticides and release
Not triggered- Authority
- EPA; USDA APHIS; FDA as applicable
- Instrument
- TSCA and FIFRA biotechnology rules; 7 CFR Part 340
- Evidence
- Agency applicability review before commercial use or release
- When
- Before commercialisation or release
Material imports and shipping
Not triggered- Authority
- USDA APHIS; CDC Import Permit Program; DOT/IATA
- Instrument
- APHIS and CDC import permits; 49 CFR Parts 171–180 for hazmat transport
- Evidence
- Permits, classifications, trained shipper, compliant packaging
- When
- Before ordering or shipping
Biosafety cabinet certification
Not triggered- Authority
- Host EHS; accredited cabinet certifier
- Instrument
- BMBL Appendix A; NSF/ANSI 49 field certification
- Evidence
- Installation certificate, annual recertification and relocation re-test
- When
- Before first cell-culture work
— A cabinet does not make a room BSL-2; a fume hood or clean bench is not a substitute.
06Stage-gated launch
First reproducible result in 4–6 weeks
Windows assume suitable space is available and approvals are straightforward. They are targets, not permit-service commitments.
- 01Week 1ScopeWrite the 90-day research charter: decision, readout, throughput and exclusionsExit evidence: Approved scope, materials list, target reproducibilityBoth founders
- 02Week 1ReviewEngage a qualified biosafety/EHS reviewer; confirm founder competencyExit evidence: Risk assessment, training gaps, go/no-goScientific founder
- 03Weeks 1–2FacilitiesGet 3 shared-lab proposals and 1 existing-suite alternative against the same scopeExit evidence: Itemised rent, storage, services, insurance and instrument feesBusiness founder
- 04Weeks 1–2SiteWalk sites with host and reviewer: sinks, eyewash, surfaces, airflow needs, wasteExit evidence: Documented site suitability; deficiencies and ownersScientific founder + EHS
- 05Week 2PermissionsResolve municipality, CUPA and host responsibilities for the exact address and actual inventoryExit evidence: Permission matrix with written determinationsEHS + host
- 06Week 2ContractNegotiate approved use, instrument access, IP, insurance, waste and exit termsExit evidence: Signed agreement, deposit, responsibility scheduleBusiness founder
- 07Weeks 2–3ProcurementIssue specification-based RFQs; approve landed cost and own/share choicesExit evidence: PO-ready BOM with warranty, delivery, calibration and returnsLab-operations founder
- 08Weeks 2–4OperationsCreate site-specific safety plans, training matrix, waste contracts and logsExit evidence: Operating binder; trained usersLab operations + EHS
- 09Weeks 3–4ReceivingReceive to the approved lab; record serial/lot IDs; quarantine discrepanciesExit evidence: Inventory and acceptance recordsLab operations
- 10Weeks 3–5CommissioningVerify performance, calibration, monitoring, backups and required certificationsExit evidence: Commissioning checklist; no open critical defectsScientific founder + service providers
- 11Weeks 4–6QualificationRun benign reference checks and agreed controls; compare an independent readoutExit evidence: First reproducible result against prespecified criteriaScientific founder
- 12Before first live workReleaseFormal readiness review; approve only authorised workflowsExit evidence: Signed release; open items block useBoth founders + EHS/host
- 13Weekly / monthlyOperateReview stock, expiry, bookings, deviations, alarms and cost per decisionExit evidence: Updated logs; prioritised improvementsLab operations
- 14Before each scope changeChange controlReassess any new material, procedure, volume, customer claim or equipmentExit evidence: New approval before ordering or useScientific founder + EHS
- 15Before exitClosurePlan material transfer, decontamination, waste removal and records handoffExit evidence: Closure acceptance; eligible deposit returnedBoth founders + host
07Assumptions
Replace the defaults with your quotes
Blank fields use the United States — California defaults. Indices scale the California baseline: space covers rent, deposit and utilities; services covers reviews, commissioning, instruments, safety, waste and maintenance. Reagents are not indexed.
Location rationale: Baseline. The 15% uplift is a blended freight and sales-tax allowance, not a statutory rate. All figures are in USD.
Sources and price provenance
- S1MBC BioLabs equipment library — Shared instruments, cold storage and pay-as-used services exist. No membership price verified.
- S2BioLabs features and fees — Shared lab space and services. No numeric price verified; request a location-specific quote.
- S3Fisher Scientific — miniPCR mini16X (NC2603889) — Observed $985.30 on 2026-09-26. Account pricing, surcharges and landed cost may differ.
- S4RPI — MyFuge 12 (400755) — Observed $534.90 on 2026-09-26. Spin-down device, not a high-g microcentrifuge.
- S5Analyst planning assumptions — Every low/base/high allowance. Replace with written site, contractor, insurer and supplier bids.
Regulatory gates cite their instruments inline. The planner is a planning aid, not a site approval, legal opinion or supplier quotation. It does not replace review by a qualified safety professional for the exact address and work.