An app for field engineers involves different decisions from an app used by thousands of customers. Before comparing prices, establish who will use it, on which devices and what must happen without internet access. A screen list is not a complete project brief.
Start with one working day
Follow a user from sign-in to completion. What must they look up on site? What must they record? Who uses that information next? For an engineer, a first release might include a schedule, customer details, a job sheet, photos and a delivery confirmation. Chat and route optimisation do not automatically belong in that release.
Describe exceptions too: the customer is absent, a photo fails to upload or a schedule changes while someone is offline. These situations explain much of the work behind a simple interface.
Four decisions that shape scope
- Users and devices: managed internal devices or a varied customer device base.
- Platform: a web app, cross-platform app or platform-specific app.
- Integrations: scheduling, ERP, stock, identity and document storage.
- Reliability: offline use, synchronisation, permissions and error handling.
Ask what each item includes. An app that displays local information is not equivalent to one that reliably writes completed jobs back to your ERP.
Codewera's starting point
Codewera's mobile app or MVP projects start at €20,000, excluding VAT. This is our starting price, not a market average or a fixed quote for every application. Scope, integrations and technical constraints determine the proposal.
Budget for recurring costs as well: hosting, any platform accounts, external APIs, support and compatibility updates. Agree which activities maintenance covers and which need a separate budget.
Make the first release testable
Choose a small user group and let them complete real assignments. One acceptance criterion could be that a complete job sheet reaches the office with the correct photos, including after a temporary connection loss. Define these criteria before building.
The next step is not automatically more features. First inspect where users abandon a task, enter information twice or need help. That evidence makes expansion a deliberate choice.
Prepare a useful app brief
List three tasks that are cumbersome on site and the existing systems involved. Use that outline to discuss mobile app development. If the platform choice is still unclear, continue with PWA or native app.
Practical guidance by Codewera. Examples are illustrative; the right solution and investment depend on your situation.