Let's talk real numbers.
Not the "it depends" dodge. Not the "every project is different" speech.
Actual ranges from years of building custom software:
The Ranges
Simple Web App: $25-50K
→ Single user role → Basic CRUD operations → Maybe one or two integrations → Standard security
Example: Internal tool for tracking inventory. Customer portal for viewing orders.
Mid-Complexity Platform: $50-150K
→ Multiple user roles → Complex workflows → 3-5 integrations → Moderate data migration
Example: Project management system. Client portal with billing. Sales CRM with automation.
Complex Enterprise System: $150-500K+
→ Many user roles and permissions → Heavy integration layer → Large data migrations → Compliance requirements (HIPAA, SOC 2, etc.) → Real-time features
Example: Healthcare platform. Financial services app. Multi-tenant SaaS.
What Actually Drives Cost
Big Cost Drivers:
→ Number of integrations (each one is a mini-project) → User roles and permissions complexity → Data migration from legacy systems → Compliance requirements → Real-time features (chat, notifications, live updates)
Smaller Than You'd Think:
→ Number of pages → Visual design complexity → Mobile vs. desktop (responsive design is standard)
Why Estimates Vary So Much
Two projects that sound similar can have wildly different costs.
"Build a CRM" could be $40K or $200K depending on:
→ Do you need to migrate 10 years of data from Salesforce? → Do you have 2 user roles or 12? → Do you need real-time notifications? → Are you integrating with email, calendar, and accounting systems?
The questions matter more than the label.
The Real Answer
If you have a clear problem statement and a one-page brief (see my previous post), a good agency can give you a real range in one conversation.
Not a sales number. Not a wild guess.
A real range based on real work.
What surprised you most about these numbers?
#SoftwareDevelopment #CustomSoftware #Pricing #BusinessSystems
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Philip Rehberger Founder, ScopeForged scopeforged.com
