follow-up costs
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follow-up costs
Costs that arise after an initial investment or event, for example for maintenance, repairs, or operation. The word is used almost exclusively in the plural.
Beim Kauf eines alten Hauses sollte man die hohen Folgekosten für die Renovierung nicht unterschätzen.
When buying an old house, you shouldn't underestimate the high follow-up costs for renovation.
The word is made up of 'die Folge' (consequence, result) and 'die Kosten' (costs). So it literally describes costs that arise as the result of an earlier action or investment.
Die Anschaffung war günstig, aber die Folgekosten für die Wartung sind enorm.
The purchase was inexpensive, but the follow-up costs for maintenance are enormous.
Although a singular form theoretically exists, in practice this word is used almost exclusively in the plural 'die Folgekosten' (follow-up costs), since it usually refers to a sum of various later costs.
Wir müssen die gesamten Folgekosten für das Projekt genau kalkulieren.
We need to calculate the total follow-up costs for the project precisely.
'Folgekosten' (follow-up costs) is often combined with verbs like 'verursachen' (to cause), 'berechnen' (to calculate), 'unterschätzen' (to underestimate), or 'berücksichtigen' (to take into account). Typical adjectives are 'hoch' (high), 'enorm' (enormous), or 'versteckt' (hidden).
Viele Käufer unterschätzen die versteckten Folgekosten eines günstigen Druckers.
Many buyers underestimate the hidden follow-up costs of a cheap printer.
operating costs / service charges
Betriebskosten are the ongoing expenses of running a business. Folgekosten arise after an investment or event and may include maintenance or repairs in addition to operation. Betriebskosten is appropriate when referring to the ongoing operation of a business; Folgekosten is appropriate for later financial consequences.
Vor dem Kauf berechnet die Firma die späteren Folgekosten der neuen Maschinen.
Before buying the new machines, the company calculates their later follow-up costs.
Vor der Eröffnung berechnet die Firma die jährlichen Betriebskosten des neuen Werks.
Before opening, the company calculates the new plant's annual operating costs.
