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Prices

What could development cost?

There are three ways to start: a technical audit, if you already have a system; discovery, if the job is bigger; or straight into the first development phase. If you carry on with me, I credit the fee for the technical audit or discovery against the price of the next step.

Amounts are illustrative and net of VAT. After the call or discovery I give you the exact price in writing.

Technical audit

2 working days, within a week
€520
Introductory price: until the end of 2026. After that: €880.

In two working days I go through your system or app and recommend in writing what to do with it.

You already have a system or an app, and you want to know what state it is in.

  • I go through the code, the server and how a new version gets released
  • A list of what is risky and where we should start
  • A written recommendation: fix it, extend it or replace it
  • A 30-minute walkthrough call

At the end you get the written material, and then you decide whether to continue. If we don't, the material is yours and you can take it to someone else.

Discovery and plan

5 working days, within two weeks
€2,150

You are planning something larger, or it is not yet clear exactly what needs building.

  • A table of what is needed, what the build includes and what it leaves out
  • A phased plan: what gets built first and what comes later
  • A sketch of how the system fits together and what it connects to
  • An itemised proposal for the first development phase

At the end you get the written material, and then you decide whether to continue. If we don't, the material is yours and you can take it to someone else.

First development phase

3–4 weeks (12–16 working days)
€5,200 and up
You see the starting price. The final total depends on the job.

You already know what you want and you want the first version in front of real users as soon as possible.

  • A usable first version in which the most important workflow already works
  • Interface design for the key screens, if you do not have your own
  • Automated tests and a set routine for releasing new versions
  • I set it up so you can see how many people use it and what for
  • A conversation about how best to carry on

If you're not sure which one fits, book a 30-minute call and we'll work it out.

What does the price depend on?

  • Features you need: for a first version I count only what is essential to get started.
  • Connections to other systems: your invoicing software, CRM or payment provider has to be connected separately, and that carries some risk.
  • Data you handle: personal data, or data under special rules, means more checking and more documentation.
  • Device connections: to connect a Bluetooth device, sensor or printer I write a separate piece of software, and I test with the device itself.
  • Existing system: extending or replacing an existing system can cost more than starting from scratch. It depends on the state of the code.

A deadline or a budget doesn't change the price of the same work. With a tight deadline fewer features fit, and with a tight budget I suggest a smaller first phase.

Sample estimates, same calculation

ExampleTimeEstimated price
Field app for 40 technicians
Technicians log their jobs on their phones, with photos and signatures. The invoice is created in your accounting software (Xero, for example). It must work without an internet connection.
6–13 weeks€9,600–22,700
Internal system instead of Excel
Orders, stock and customers live in three spreadsheets. You need a web interface where everyone sees only their own part, and where you can ask for reports.
6–15 weeks€9,600–25,900
Automating manual admin
Order details that arrive by email should reach the CRM (customer management system) and the invoicing software without anyone copying them by hand.
2–4 weeks€3,000–7,000
Health app with a device connection
Patients' measuring devices send data to the app over Bluetooth. The doctor can see it too. The app has to meet healthcare regulations.
7–16 weeks€11,400–28,500
Discovery needed: regulated sector, device connection
Simple encrypted messenger for iPhone
Two people chat, and only the two of them can read the messages, not even the operator. It starts on iPhone only, with Android later.
4–7 weeks€6,600–12,700
Company website
A fast, custom-designed company site in two languages, with an enquiry form and a blog section.
2–4 weeks€3,000–6,600
AI assistant for your own documents
Staff ask questions in a chat about the company's documents (policies, quotes, product descriptions) and get answers with their sources. When the assistant cannot answer, it hands the question to a colleague.
4–12 weeks€7,400–20,600
Online booking
Customers pick a free slot on the website and get a reminder by email, and the calendar stays in step with the team's own calendar.
5–11 weeks€8,350–19,300
How is this worked out? Field app for 40 technicians
Cost breakdown in working days and euros
ItemDaysEUR (about)
Base: mobile appThis covers the foundation of the system, testing and handover. The features and the other items are on separate lines.10–164,400–7,000
5 featuresJob sheets, Photo upload, Signature, Offline mode, Admin area. After weighting, I allow for 4 features' worth of work.6–82,650–3,500
1 connected systemInvoicing software2–4880–1,750
Second platform (iOS, Android in total)I adapt and test the app separately for each extra platform.3–61,300–2,650
Personal data (GDPR)I set up permissions and logging, and check security.1–4440–1,750
Interface design: no answer yetThe lower estimate assumes a simple interface, the upper one full design work.2–7880–3,050
Reserve for uncertaintyThe lower limit is this much less if everything goes smoothly; the upper one is this much more if the work is harder.−2 – +7−880 – +3,050
RoundingConverted to euros and rounded, so this row makes the rows add up to the total. It is still an estimate.0−70 – −50
Total22–529,600–22,700

Day rate: €440 + VAT. I plan on 4 billable days a week.

How is this worked out? Internal system instead of Excel
Cost breakdown in working days and euros
ItemDaysEUR (about)
Base: web app or internal systemThis covers the foundation of the system, testing and handover. The features and the other items are on separate lines.12–225,250–9,650
4 featuresLogin, Orders, Stock control, Reports. After weighting, I allow for 3.5 features' worth of work.5–92,200–3,950
2 connected systemsExcel / Google Sheets, Invoicing software4–81,750–3,500
Personal data (GDPR)I set up permissions and logging, and check security.1–4440–1,750
Interface design: no answer yetThe lower estimate assumes a simple interface, the upper one full design work.3–81,300–3,500
Reserve for uncertaintyThe lower limit is this much less if everything goes smoothly; the upper one is this much more if the work is harder.−3 – +8−1,320 – +3,500
RoundingConverted to euros and rounded, so this row makes the rows add up to the total. It is still an estimate.0−20 – +50
Total22–599,600–25,900

Day rate: €440 + VAT. I plan on 4 billable days a week.

How is this worked out? Automating manual admin
Cost breakdown in working days and euros
ItemDaysEUR (about)
Base: automating processesThis covers the foundation of the system, testing and handover. The features and the other items are on separate lines.4–71,750–3,050
3 connected systemsCRM, Invoicing software, Email3–61,300–2,650
Personal data (GDPR)I set up permissions and logging, and check security.1440
Reserve for uncertaintyThe lower limit is this much less if everything goes smoothly; the upper one is this much more if the work is harder.−1 – +2−440 – +880
RoundingConverted to euros and rounded, so this row makes the rows add up to the total. It is still an estimate.0−50 – −20
Total7–163,000–7,000

Day rate: €440 + VAT. I plan on 4 billable days a week.

How is this worked out? Health app with a device connection
Cost breakdown in working days and euros
ItemDaysEUR (about)
Base: mobile appThis covers the foundation of the system, testing and handover. The features and the other items are on separate lines.10–164,400–7,000
4 featuresDevice pairing, Showing measurements, Doctor's view, Notifications. After weighting, I allow for 3.5 features' worth of work.5–72,200–3,050
Second platform (iOS, Android in total)I adapt and test the app separately for each extra platform.3–61,300–2,650
Regulated data (health, finance)I set up permissions and logging, and check security.5–72,200–3,050
Interface design: no answer yetThe lower estimate assumes a simple interface, the upper one full design work.2–4880–1,750
Device connectionI test with a real device, and I also work out how the system handles connection failures.4–61,750–2,650
Upper limit on surchargesI add up the cost of the basic build, features, system connections and platforms. These surcharges can increase that subtotal to at most 1.6 times its original value. The amounts above already include this limit.
A larger reserve until I see the detailsThe lower limit is this much less if everything goes smoothly; the upper one is this much more if the work is harder.−3 – +19−1,320 – +8,350
RoundingConverted to euros and rounded, so this row makes the rows add up to the total. It is still an estimate.0−10 – 0
Total26–6511,400–28,500

Day rate: €440 + VAT. I plan on 4 billable days a week.

How is this worked out? Simple encrypted messenger for iPhone
Cost breakdown in working days and euros
ItemDaysEUR (about)
Base: mobile appThis covers the foundation of the system, testing and handover. The features and the other items are on separate lines.10–164,400–7,000
3 featuresOne-to-one messaging, End-to-end encryption, Notification of new messages5–62,200–2,650
Personal data (GDPR)I set up permissions and logging, and check security.1–2440–880
Simple interfaceI put the interface together from ready-made parts, with no separate design round.1440
Reserve for uncertaintyThe lower limit is this much less if everything goes smoothly; the upper one is this much more if the work is harder.−2 – +4−880 – +1,750
RoundingConverted to euros and rounded, so this row makes the rows add up to the total. It is still an estimate.00 – −20
Total15–296,600–12,700

Day rate: €440 + VAT. I plan on 4 billable days a week.

How is this worked out? Company website
Cost breakdown in working days and euros
ItemDaysEUR (about)
Base: business websiteThis covers the foundation of the system, testing and handover. The features and the other items are on separate lines.5–82,200–3,500
2 featuresEnquiry form, Blog1–2440–880
Interface designI make screen designs and a sample you can try, and we agree on them before the build.1–2440–880
2 languagesI have to build in the translations and review every screen in 2 languages.1440
Reserve for uncertaintyThe lower limit is this much less if everything goes smoothly; the upper one is this much more if the work is harder.−1 – +2−440 – +880
RoundingConverted to euros and rounded, so this row makes the rows add up to the total. It is still an estimate.0−80 – +20
Total7–153,000–6,600

Day rate: €440 + VAT. I plan on 4 billable days a week.

How is this worked out? AI assistant for your own documents
Cost breakdown in working days and euros
ItemDaysEUR (about)
Base: AI featureThis covers the foundation of the system, testing and handover. The features and the other items are on separate lines.9–183,950–7,900
4 featuresDocument search, Answers with sources, Handover to a person, Admin area for uploading documents. After weighting, I allow for 3.5 features' worth of work.5–92,200–3,950
1 connected systemDocument store (SharePoint or Google Drive)2–4880–1,750
Personal data (GDPR)I set up permissions and logging, and check security.1–3440–1,300
Interface design: no answer yetThe lower estimate assumes a simple interface, the upper one full design work.2–7880–3,050
Reserve for uncertaintyThe lower limit is this much less if everything goes smoothly; the upper one is this much more if the work is harder.−2 – +6−880 – +2,650
RoundingConverted to euros and rounded, so this row makes the rows add up to the total. It is still an estimate.0−70 – 0
Total17–477,400–20,600

Day rate: €440 + VAT. I plan on 4 billable days a week.

How is this worked out? Online booking
Cost breakdown in working days and euros
ItemDaysEUR (about)
Base: web app or internal systemThis covers the foundation of the system, testing and handover. The features and the other items are on separate lines.12–225,250–9,650
3 featuresOnline booking, Calendar sync, Email reminders, Admin area for reception. Already listed under another name, so not counted separately: Calendar sync5–82,200–3,500
1 connected systemGoogle Calendar2–4880–1,750
Personal data (GDPR)I set up permissions and logging, and check security.1–3440–1,300
Simple interfaceI put the interface together from ready-made parts, with no separate design round.1–2440–880
Reserve for uncertaintyThe lower limit is this much less if everything goes smoothly; the upper one is this much more if the work is harder.−2 – +5−880 – +2,200
RoundingConverted to euros and rounded, so this row makes the rows add up to the total. It is still an estimate.020
Total19–448,350–19,300

Day rate: €440 + VAT. I plan on 4 billable days a week.

These are sample estimates, worked out with the same fixed rules I use for every estimate. They are not proposals. To get one for your own project, describe it in the Workshop or book a 30-minute call.

Billed in euros.

Talk through my project

How I work it out

I use the same method for the examples on this page and every estimate I give. I estimate the working days needed for the basic build, each feature and each connection to another system. I also account for data handling, device connections, interface design and the condition of any existing system. I multiply the total by my day rate, allow for uncertainty and round the result.

  • I work from Hungary, so my day rate is set for Central Europe, not London. The illustrative rate is €440. Totals are rounded and converted at the ECB rate for display. To work out how many weeks a job takes, I count 4 billable working days a week.
  • I start from the fee for the working days I have counted. The estimated price is 90–115% of that. For regulated data, device connections, unfamiliar existing code or a large project the range is wider: 90–140% of the fee.
  • Introductory price: until the end of 2026 I do the technical audit at an introductory price, €520. After that it is €880 (2 working days at the day rate).
  • Billed in euros.
In detail
  • I count the first three features at full weight, the next three at half and the rest at a third. I merge features that mean the same thing. Wishes like ‘simple’ or ‘fast’ are not features in themselves. It is worth checking your brief so the same feature doesn't appear under several names.
  • For a mobile app I count exactly the platforms you name. If you say iOS only, Android is not in the price. I can build it later on the shared code.
  • If the data you handle or the existing system is still an open question, I only raise the top of the estimate. Interface design is a separate item. Until I know whether you already have a design, the low price assumes a simple interface and the high price a full design. I only allow for uncertainty that affects your job.
  • With every estimate I show the basic job, the features added and the systems connected. I also say what would change the price, so you can see how the total comes about.
  • Packages have their own illustrative prices. For each one I list what you get.
  • If the estimated price is more than your budget, I suggest fewer features and a smaller first phase, so your money goes on what matters most.
  • I only give a fixed price when I can see exactly what has to be built.

How does an estimate differ from a written proposal?

Estimated price
I work it out from what you tell me about the project, using fixed rules set in advance. It shows roughly what the work costs and what the price depends on. It doesn't commit either of us.
Written proposal
I put in writing what I will and will not do, which costs are one-off or monthly, and how we will work together. This forms the basis of the contract we sign.
Starter packages
For the technical audit and discovery I describe in advance what you get. A first development phase is 12–16 working days, and you only see its starting price here. An estimate for a minimal first phase is based on your own project, so it can cover a smaller job too.
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