The verdict in three sentences
A London SME automating data entry, collections and reporting invests GBP 9,000 to GBP 33,000 to remove 10 to 25 hours of manual work per week. No-code tools like Make or n8n (GBP 15 to GBP 450/month) cover the simple cases; custom development becomes worthwhile as soon as business rules get complex. Payback lands between 3 and 6 months once you cost admin time at its true loaded rate.
What automation costs in 2026
Pricing depends on the number of processes, the level of integration (API, RPA on tools without APIs) and data volume. Here are 2026 ballpark figures for the UK market.
| Scope | Content | Price GBP | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Targeted automation | 1–2 no-code workflows (Make/n8n) | 9,000 – 13,000 | 4–5 wks |
| Business automation | 3–5 workflows + API connectors | 13,000 – 22,000 | 6–8 wks |
| Custom suite | Workflows + RPA + tracking UI | 22,000 – 33,000 | 8–10 wks |
| Full process redesign | Mapping + build + change management | 33,000+ | 10–14 wks |
On top of these, budget support and maintenance of roughly GBP 350/month for monitoring, fixes and minor evolutions.
No-code vs custom development
The right call depends on volume, business rules and the software already in place. The table compares both approaches on an equivalent scope.
| Criterion | No-code (Make/n8n) | Custom build |
|---|---|---|
| Setup cost | GBP 9,000 – 16,000 | GBP 20,000 – 33,000 |
| Tool subscription | GBP 15 – 450/month | Hosting GBP 30 – 150/month |
| Complex business rules | Limited | Unlimited |
| Transaction volume | Billed per operation | Near-zero marginal cost |
| Vendor lock-in | High | None (you own the code) |
| Deployment time | 4–6 wks | 6–10 wks |
In practice many SMEs start no-code on 1–2 processes, then move to custom once volume makes per-operation billing pricier than amortising a build.
Mini case study
James, Finance Director of a 45-person manufacturing SME in Croydon, spent 22 hours a week (across two assistants) re-keying purchase orders, chasing overdue invoices and compiling a weekly report. We automated all three flows for GBP 19,500, with GBP 350/month support.
The maths: 22 hours/week at a loaded rate of GBP 32/hour is GBP 704/week, about GBP 3,050/month of admin time. Automation recovers 80 % of it, i.e. GBP 2,440/month. After support, net gain is roughly GBP 2,090/month: the investment is paid back in about 9 months, then delivers recurring savings redeployed to higher-value work.
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FAQ
What is the minimum budget to start?
Budget GBP 9,000 for a serious first scope (1–2 workflows). Below that, you stay in one-off no-code setups costing a few hundred pounds to configure.
How fast is it operational?
Between 4 and 10 weeks depending on complexity. Tight scoping up front shortens the timeline and firms up the quote.
Do we have to replace our current software?
Usually not. API connectors and RPA let you automate on top of what exists, without ripping out your ERP or CRM.
What is a realistic ROI?
With 10 to 25 hours recovered per week, payback lands between 3 and 6 months for an SME that values its admin time properly.
What does GBP 350/month support cover?
Flow monitoring, incident fixes, adapting to updates of connected software and minor evolutions. That is what keeps the automation reliable over time.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your 2–3 most time-consuming processes and the software you run, and we will price the scope, timeline and expected ROI (indicative budget GBP 9,000 to GBP 33,000). 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.
