The verdict in three sentences
For a corporate concierge service in Manchester handling dry cleaning, shoe repair, errands and everyday services across several office parks, the best software combines an employee app with request tracking, billing split between employer and staff and management of 15 to 60 partner suppliers. In 2026, a specialist SaaS works well for 1 to 3 client sites, while a custom app becomes cheaper beyond 5 sites because market subscriptions are charged site by site. Budget a 2026 ballpark of 5,000 to 42,000 GBP depending on the option, and 2 to 5 months to go live.
Why spreadsheets stop working
A concierge business can run on a spreadsheet and a shared inbox while it serves one office. By the third client, requests slip between concierges, staff invoices are recalculated by hand and suppliers are chased by phone. The employer, who funds part or all of the service as an employee benefit, wants usage reports per site for HR. Employees want to know when their suit is ready.
| Business need | What the software must do | 2026 market ballpark |
|---|---|---|
| Employee app | Order, track, pickup notification | Included in SaaS or 30 to 40 % of a custom build |
| Split billing | Employer share and employee share on one order | Rarely native in generic tools |
| Supplier management | 15 to 60 partners, prices, lead times, commissions | Dedicated module or dashboard |
| Multi site | One space per client site with its own services | Subscription of 120 to 750 GBP per site per month |
| Client reporting | Usage, satisfaction, time saved for staff | Live dashboard and export on demand |
| Go live | Setup, data import, onboarding | 2 to 5 months |
The 2026 ranking of options
We rank categories of solutions and public software, not specific vendors or agencies. Criteria: 3 year total cost for 6 sites, time to go live, reversibility, fit with split billing and local support.
| Rank | Option | 3 year cost for 6 sites (ballpark) | Time | Reversibility | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Custom app from a specialist developer | 17,000 to 42,000 GBP | 3 to 5 months | Very good, code and data are yours | Services beyond 5 sites with distinct processes |
| 2 | Specialist concierge SaaS | 26,000 to 162,000 GBP | 1 to 2 months | Average, depends on export | Starting with 1 to 3 sites |
| 3 | Open source ERP with modules (Odoo type) | 13,000 to 38,000 GBP | 3 to 5 months | Good | Firms also running accounts and stock |
| 4 | No code tool with forms | 5,000 to 12,000 GBP | 1 month | Average | Testing the model on one site |
| 5 | Generic employee benefits platform | Monthly subscription, public price varies by plan | 1 to 2 months | Weak | When concierge is one benefit among many |
Kolonell appears as one custom option, priced in EUR as a nearshore developer: simple app 3,810 to 6,100 EUR, mid size 6,100 to 10,670 EUR, complex 10,670 to 22,870 EUR and up, maintenance at 53, 114 or 183 EUR per month. A multi site employee app with split billing and supplier management usually falls in the complex range.
What to check before signing
Ask for a demo of a dry cleaning order paid 50 % by the employer and 50 % by the employee, with an invoice generated for each. Check that a partner supplier can update an order status from a phone. Require a full export of requests, users and invoices. And review how employee personal data is handled under UK GDPR: hosting location, retention, access rights and a data processing agreement with each client employer.
Mini case study
Illustrative example: Hannah, founder of a corporate concierge firm in Manchester, serves 6 client sites between Spinningfields, MediaCityUK and business parks near the airport. A specialist SaaS at 220 GBP per site per month would cost 15,840 GBP a year, 47,520 GBP over 3 years. A complex custom app from Kolonell at around 18,000 EUR plus 183 EUR monthly maintenance comes to about 24,600 EUR over 3 years, roughly 21,000 GBP at a rate to check on the day. The saving of over 26,000 GBP funds two new site launches, and each new site no longer raises the software bill.
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FAQ
How much does corporate concierge software cost?
The 2026 market ballpark is 120 to 750 GBP per site per month for SaaS, or 5,000 to 42,000 GBP for other options depending on scope. Always compare over 3 years.
When does custom software pay off?
Usually from 5 client sites, when per site subscriptions exceed the cost of an app spread over 3 years. Below that, SaaS is simpler.
Is split employer and employee billing complex?
It needs a rule per service and per client, such as 50 % or 100 % covered. Test it in the demo on 2 or 3 real cases.
How long does go live take?
Between 2 and 5 months depending on the option, including 2 to 4 weeks to load suppliers and price lists. Start with one pilot site.
What does UK GDPR change for us?
You process employee data on behalf of client employers, so you need a data processing agreement with each one. Ask your legal adviser to review it before the first site goes live.
Let's scope your project. Tell us about your sites, services and billing model and we will price a multi site concierge app, from 10,670 to 22,870 EUR depending on scope, with a pilot site live within 3 months. 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.
