When someone asks, “How much will it cost to build my app?” — the honest answer is: it depends. But that’s a cop-out, and we don’t do vague.
So here’s a better answer: it depends on what you’re trying to achieve, how quickly you can make decisions, and whether you want a workhorse or a show pony.
Let’s unpack the real factors that affect custom software pricing — and give you some no-nonsense ballpark figures based on projects we’ve actually delivered.
The question you should ask isn’t “how much does it cost?” — it’s “what will it return?”
We’ve worked with businesses who spent £30k building a platform that saved them £80k in headcount over 18 months. Others have spent £20k replacing spreadsheets that were eating 40 hours of admin every single month.
So yes, there’s a price — but the smarter move is to look at the leverage.
What actually drives the cost?
Here are the five biggest factors that shape the quote:
1. The scope
More features = more work. No surprise there. But what matters is the order: we always recommend clients start with the “must-haves” and phase the rest. A phased roadmap protects your budget and keeps your team focused.
2. Integrations
Connecting to your CRM, payment system, job scheduler or accounts package? Every integration adds time — but can also save your team hours of admin later.
3. Design polish
Some clients want a gorgeous, branded, pixel-perfect UI. Others just need it to work. We can flex either way, but this is a major factor in cost.
4. Starting point
Are we starting from scratch? Great. Is there an existing system we’re rebuilding or integrating with? Expect extra complexity (and a bit of archaeology).
5. Decision-making speed
It’s an awkward truth: the slower you are to review and approve things, the more time we spend circling. That affects timelines and cost. Having a clear decision-maker saves a fortune.
So… what do you actually charge?
Here’s what we’ve quoted — and delivered — for recent client projects:
| Project Type | Price Range | Example Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Internal ops platform | £15k–£35k | CRM, job tracking, internal dashboards |
| Client portals | £20k–£50k | Branded portals, onboarding flows |
| SaaS MVP or digital product | £25k–£60k+ | Early-stage startup apps or SaaS tools |
| Complex rebuilds or legacy swaps | £40k–£90k | Full replacements with integrations |
We don’t do vague estimates. We do fixed-fee projects, defined scope, and crystal-clear deliverables. No hourly billing. No open-ended sprints. Just clear work, well priced.
Can it be done cheaper?
Of course. There’s always someone cheaper. But if you think custom software is expensive, wait until you try hiring a full-time ops team to do what an app could automate.
And yes — we’ve rebuilt plenty of “cheap” systems that fell apart halfway through or were abandoned by their devs. It’s always more expensive the second time round.
Want to keep costs tight?
Here are three ways to control your budget without compromising quality:
- Start small: Build a solid v1 that solves a specific pain. Don’t try to boil the ocean.
- Decide fast: One person leading feedback keeps the project tight.
- Skip the fluff: Nice-to-haves are fine — but only once the essentials work.
What kind of returns do our clients see?
Let’s be specific:
- A compliance company saved over £100k/year by automating onboarding and reducing admin staff.
- A field-service firm saved 30+ hours/week with better dispatch and route planning.
- A consultancy won bigger clients by offering a branded portal that looked 10x more professional.
Custom software isn’t a cost — it’s a multiplier. When it works, it’s not just replacing admin; it’s unlocking growth.
Final thought
If you’re shopping purely on price, custom software will always look expensive. But if you’re looking at how to save time, reduce stress, scale your team, or impress your clients — a well-built system pays for itself faster than you’d think.
And if you’re not sure what to build first? We’ll help you figure that out too.
