Cost-Based Pricing

What is Cost-Based Pricing?

Cost-based pricing can be defined as a pricing method in which a certain percentage of the total cost is added to the cost of the product to determine its selling price or in other words, it refers to a pricing method in which the selling price is determined by adding a profit percentage in addition to the cost of making the product.

Explanation

It is the approach to pricing which involves the costs for producing, distributing and selling the product by adding a fair rate of return to compensate the efforts and risks taken by the company. It is a simple way to calculate the price of the product by calculating the total cost in which the desired profit is added to determine the final selling price.

Cost-Based Pricing Classification & Formulas

#1 – Cost-Plus Pricing

It is the simplest method of determining the price of the product. In cost-plus pricing method, affixed percentage, also called as markup percentage, of the total cost (as a profit) is added to the total cost to set the price. Say, for example, ABC organization bears the total cost of $100 per unit for producing a product. It adds $50 per unit to the product as’ profit. In such a case, the final price of the product of the organization would be $150. This pricing method is also referred to as the average cost pricing and used most commonly in the manufacturing organizations.

The formula to calculate the cost-based pricing in different types is as follows:

#2 – Markup Pricing

It refers to a pricing method in which the fixed amount or percentage of the cost of the product is added to the product’s price to get the selling price of the product. Markup pricing is more common in retailing in which a retailer sells the product to earn a profit. For example, if a retailer has taken a product from the wholesaler for $100, then he might add up a markup of $50 to gain a profit.

Where,

#3 – Break-Even Cost Pricing

In the case of Break-even Pricing, the company aims at maximizing contribution towards the fixed cost. This is relevant particularly in the industries that involve high fixed costs like the transport industry. Here, the level of sales which will be required to cover relevant variable and fixed cost will be determined.

#4 – Target Profit Pricing

In this case, prices are set to target the specific level of profits or returns it wants to earn on an investment.

Examples of Cost-Based Pricing

A company sells goods in the market. It sets the price on the basis of cost-based pricing. The variable cost per unit is $200 and the fixed cost per unit is $50. Profit markup is 50% on cost. Calculate the Selling price per unit.

Here, the selling price will be calculated on the basis of cost-plus pricing.

This $ 375 will be the price floor.

Importance

Every organization aims to realize a profit in the business that it undertakes. Profit is determined by the selling price of its product or service. It is not always greater profits. The demand for a product at every price point is also important to determine the revenue generated and the profit.

Differences Between Cost-Based Pricing and Value-Based Pricing

The differences between the Cost-Based Pricing and the Value-Based Pricing are as follows:

Basis		Cost-Based Pricing		Value-Based Pricing
Focus		It focuses on the company’s situation when determining the price.		It focuses on the customers when determining the price.
Prices		It prices between price floor and price ceiling. The market condition dictates where, between the floor and the ceiling, the company sets the price.		If it is used, the company sets its pricing in a range determined by what customers are willing to pay. Generally, the price is higher.
Benefits		It results in competitive prices. Companies using this strategy will likely attract consumers that look for products and services that are inexpensive.		It often earns high profits on each item sold, but some consumers may not be willing to pay the high price and purchase from a competitor.

Advantages

1. A straight- forward and simple strategy.
2. Ensuring a steady and consistent rate of profit generation.
3. It finds the price of the customized product which has been produced as per the specification of the single buyer.
4. Finding the maximum possible cost of product manufacturing allowable if the final selling price is fixed.

Disadvantages

1. It may lead to underpriced products.
2. It ignores replacement costs.
3. Contract cost overruns.
4. Product cost overruns.
5. This approach may ignore the opportunity cost of investment.
6. This approach may sometimes ignore the consumer’s role in the overall market.

Conclusion

Thus the Cost-based pricing can be referred to as the pricing method that calculates the product’s price by firstly calculating the cost of the product in which the desired profit is added and the result is the final selling price.

Recommended Articles

This has been a guide to What is Cost-Based Pricing and its Definition. Here we discuss the formula to calculate the cost-based pricing along with examples, importance, classifications advantages, and disadvantages and its differences from value-based pricing,  You can learn more about from the following articles –

• Average Cost vs Marginal Cost
• Absorption Costing
• Differential Cost
• Standard Costing Examples