A custom software price is useful only when you know what it includes. Two projects described as a customer portal can differ substantially in permissions, integrations and data migration. At Codewera, a custom software platform starts at €15,000 excluding VAT. This is a starting point for a defined scope, not a fixed price for every platform.
Complexity often sits behind the screen
A simple form can hide complex rules. May every branch see the same customer? What happens when an approved quote changes? Who can cancel an order after warehouse work has started? These agreements often determine more development work than the number of visible pages.
Identify external dependencies too. A documented API with a test environment requires a different approach from an old package that only supports periodic exports. Integration availability, permissions and supplier charges should be investigated before a final proposal is agreed.
Ask for recognisable proposal sections
- Analysis and scope for the first complete workflow.
- Design and feedback on a clickable prototype.
- Development, user roles and input validation.
- Integrations and any data migration.
- User testing and help with adoption.
- Hosting, maintenance and post-launch agreements.
For each item, ask what is included, optional or excluded. Clarify how many feedback rounds are planned and how new requirements will be priced. An unclear exclusion rarely becomes a free extra halfway through the project.
Choose a first version with independent value
Illustrative scenario: you want to connect enquiries, quotations, scheduling and invoicing. A first release could handle enquiries and quotes, then pass approved jobs to your existing scheduler. That is a coherent outcome. Four unfinished modules are not.
Use concrete acceptance scenarios to contain the scope. A team member should be able to create an enquiry, recognise missing information and involve the correct colleague. Plan additional reports and less frequent scenarios for later phases deliberately, without deferring critical controls. This gives both parties a practical way to judge whether the agreed work is complete.
Include the cost of running the software
Ask about backups, monitoring, security updates, support and change management. Who responds when an external integration stops working? What availability is included in maintenance? Codewera monitoring and maintenance starts at €450 per month excluding VAT; the final agreement depends on the application.
Finally, compare the investment with an explicit time-saving scenario, not a guaranteed saving. Our ROI calculator helps make assumptions visible. To obtain an estimate with a clear scope, discuss your custom software project.
Practical guidance by Codewera. Examples are illustrative; the right solution and investment depend on your situation.