Meaning & use
set up fee
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountable
A one-time charge you pay when you start a new service, account, or contract.
Grammar: Countable, so you can say 'a set up fee' or 'set up fees' for more than one.
Patterns
- pay a set up fee
- charge a set up fee
- a set up fee of $50
- waive the set up fee
The internet company charges a $30 set up fee for new customers.
Ask them to waive the set up fee and they often will.
There is no set up fee if you sign a two-year contract.
nouncountablebusinessfinance
A charge for preparing equipment, an account, or a system so it is ready to use.
Grammar: Often used in business and finance, especially for banks, utilities, and software.
Patterns
- an account set up fee
- the initial set up fee
- set up fees and monthly charges
The bank's account set up fee is lower for students.
Read the contract carefully: set up fees are not always refundable.
We paid the set up fee but the monthly cost is still unclear.
Word forms
| plural | set up fees |
|---|
Common combinations
- charge a set up fee
- Most gyms charge a set up fee when you join.
- waive a set up fee
- The manager agreed to waive the set up fee as a goodwill gesture.
- a one-time set up fee
- There is a one-time set up fee of $25.
- an initial set up fee
- The initial set up fee covers installation and training.
- no set up fee
- This plan has no set up fee and no contract.
Synonyms and how they differ
- installation fee
- Used more for physical equipment or utilities being installed, while set up fee is broader and also covers accounts and software.
- activation fee
- Specifically for turning on a phone or service; set up fee can include preparation work beyond just activation.
- service charge
- A general charge for a service, not necessarily a one-time start-up cost like a set up fee.
Word family
Commonly confused: set up fee or set up? set up fee or subscription fee?
set up fee vs set up
Set up is a verb phrase meaning to arrange or prepare; set up fee is the noun for the money charged for that preparation.
set up fee vs subscription fee
A subscription fee is paid regularly, while a set up fee is usually paid only once at the start.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'set up fee' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Set up fee' is a noun phrase, so it fits after 'paid a'. Options 0, 2, and 3 use it as a verb, but the verb form is 'set up' (two words, no 'fee').
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “set up fee”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.