The verdict in three sentences
Three quotes of EUR 25,000, 60,000 and 95,000 for the same app almost never price the same scope. The gap comes from the day rate (freelancer EUR 400 to 650, local agency EUR 600 to 900, French-speaking nearshore studio EUR 250 to 450; London agencies often sit higher still), from the number of days planned and from what is included: testing, acceptance, warranty, documentation. Compare on a 3-year total cost, maintenance included (15 to 20% of the build per year), and on code ownership.
What the three quotes hide
An SME owner in London (wholesale, logistics, construction) wants an order and delivery management app with a customer portal. Here is how the three offers typically break down.
| Item | Quote A: EUR 25,000 | Quote B: EUR 60,000 | Quote C: EUR 95,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Profile | Solo freelancer | Nearshore studio (Tunis, Casablanca or Dakar) | Local agency |
| Average day rate | EUR 500 | EUR 350 | EUR 750 |
| Days priced | 50 | 170 | 125 |
| Scoping and mock-ups | Missing | 15 days | 20 days |
| Automated tests | Missing | Partial | Included |
| Acceptance and warranty | 1 month | 3 months | 6 months |
| Technical documentation | Minimal | Included | Included |
Quote A is not necessarily dishonest: it often prices development only, with no scoping, and the gaps come back as change requests.
Day rates and risks by model in 2026
| Criterion | Freelancer | Local agency | French-speaking nearshore studio |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 day rate | EUR 400 to 650 | EUR 600 to 900 | EUR 250 to 450 |
| Bus factor (dependence on one person) | High | Low | Low to medium |
| Ability to absorb a peak | Low | Strong | Strong |
| Time zone and language | Same | Same | GMT or GMT+1, French and English |
| On-site workshops | Easy | Easy | Occasional or video |
| Contractual warranty | Variable | Usual (3 to 12 months) | Usual under English or French law contract |
| Code ownership | Must be required | Must be required | Must be required, stored in your Git |
The bus factor is the most underestimated risk: if the freelancer falls ill or moves to another assignment, your project stops. Code ownership is settled by an IP assignment clause and a Git repository where you are the administrator.
The 3-year total cost
| Item | Freelancer | Local agency | French-speaking nearshore |
|---|---|---|---|
| Realistic build (with change requests) | EUR 38,000 to 45,000 | EUR 90,000 to 100,000 | EUR 58,000 to 66,000 |
| Annual maintenance (15 to 20%) | EUR 6,000 to 9,000 | EUR 14,000 to 20,000 | EUR 9,000 to 13,000 |
| Hosting over 3 years | EUR 3,000 to 5,000 | EUR 3,000 to 5,000 | EUR 3,000 to 5,000 |
| Risk of takeover by a third party | EUR 10,000 to 25,000 | Low | Low |
| Estimated 3-year total | EUR 59,000 to 102,000 | EUR 111,000 to 165,000 | EUR 88,000 to 110,000 |
These totals are 2026 orders of magnitude: the right choice depends on how critical the app is and on your ability to manage a supplier.
Mini case study
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Isabel, managing director of a 40-employee wholesaler in London, hesitates between the three quotes. Quote A at EUR 25,000 omits the customer portal (estimated at EUR 12,000) and scoping (EUR 6,000): it rises to EUR 43,000 in practice. Quote C at EUR 95,000 includes a 6-month warranty and automated tests. Quote B at EUR 60,000 covers the same scope as C with a 3-month warranty. Over 3 years, with maintenance at 17%, B costs about EUR 90,600 against EUR 143,450 for C (hosting excluded), a EUR 52,850 gap, which she secures with a reversibility clause and a monthly steering committee.
FAQ
How do we compare quotes in different formats?
Ask each supplier to price the same feature list, in days and by work package. A gap above 30% on the same package signals a misunderstanding of the need.
Is French-speaking nearshore reliable for a UK SME?
Yes if the contract sets milestones, acceptance and penalties under a law you are comfortable with. Studios in Tunis, Casablanca or Dakar work at zero to one hour from London, and most teams work in English.
What share of budget should go to maintenance?
Plan 15 to 20% of the build per year for security updates, fixes and small improvements. On a EUR 60,000 app, that is EUR 9,000 to 12,000 per year.
Fixed price or time and materials?
Fixed price suits a stable, documented scope. Time and materials, at the day rate, fits evolving needs, with a monthly cap to keep budget control.
How do we avoid supplier lock-in?
Require IP assignment, code in your own repository, installation documentation and a reversibility clause. These four points cost little and protect the value invested.
Let's scope your project. Send us the quotes you received or your specification: we will return a package-by-package estimate, comparable line by line, with budget and timeline. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
