The verdict in three sentences
In London in 2026, a business process automation project is budgeted between 12 000 and 45 000 GBP depending on the number of workflows and level of customisation. ROI lands in 3 to 9 months thanks to a 50 to 70 % time saving on automated tasks. The real question is not *how much it costs*, but *how much each month of doing nothing costs you*.
What you actually pay for
An automation project is not software you install: it is a workflow audit, tool orchestration and maintenance. Here are the ranges seen on the London market in 2026.
| Item | 2026 range (GBP) | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Audit & flow mapping | 2 500 - 6 000 | 3 to 8 documented processes |
| No-code automation (Make/n8n) | 7 000 - 17 000 | 3 to 6 connected workflows |
| Custom automation (API/code) | 17 000 - 45 000 | complex business logic |
| Platform licence | 20 - 500 /month | based on operation volume |
| Maintenance & upgrades | 10 - 15 % of project/year | fixes + additions |
The tool choice weighs heavily on total cost. Comparison of common platforms.
| Tool | Monthly cost 2026 | Best for | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Make | 9 - 300 GBP | fast visual flows | per-operation billing |
| n8n (self-hosted) | 20 - 80 GBP (hosting) | high volume, GDPR | needs a developer |
| Zapier | 20 - 500 GBP | mainstream SaaS integrations | high cost at volume |
| Custom (Node/Python) | hosting 20 - 100 GBP | specific logic | upfront investment |
The use cases that pay off fast
The most profitable automations target repetitive, time-consuming, low-value tasks: supplier invoice entry, customer follow-ups, HR onboarding, contract generation, CRM-accounting sync, weekly reporting. A 25-person SMB saves on average 15 to 30 hours/week combined by automating 4 to 5 processes, equivalent to a half-time role.
Mini case study
Claire, CFO of a 40-employee industrial SMB in London. Her team spends 22 hours/week on supplier invoice entry and follow-ups. She invests 20 000 GBP in a Make automation plus accounting connector, with 120 GBP/month licence.
Outcome: -65 % time, freeing 14 hours/week. At a loaded cost of 30 GBP/hour, annual savings reach 14 h x 30 GBP x 47 weeks = 19 740 GBP. Annual solution cost: 20 000 + (120 x 12) = 21 440 GBP in year one, then 3 440 GBP/year. ROI in about 13 months, then over 16 000 GBP saved each following year.
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FAQ
How long to deploy a first automation?
Expect 4 to 10 weeks depending on complexity: 4 weeks for a simple no-code flow, up to 10 for custom work with multiple integrations. A pilot workflow can ship in 2 to 3 weeks.
No-code (Make/n8n) or custom development?
No-code covers 70 to 80 % of SMB needs for 7 000 to 17 000 GBP. Custom is justified beyond 50 000 operations/month or for non-standard business logic.
What is the real risk of an automation project?
The main risk is automating the wrong process. Hence the value of a 2 500 to 6 000 GBP upfront audit that pinpoints high-ROI flows before any development.
Is maintenance mandatory?
Yes, budget 10 to 15 % of project cost per year. Third-party tool APIs evolve and flows must be adjusted; without maintenance, an automation can silently break.
Can we start small and expand?
Yes, and it is recommended: automate 1 to 2 high-impact processes, measure real ROI, then reinvest the gains into the next workflows.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your 2-3 most time-consuming tasks, your current stack and an indicative budget (12 000-45 000 GBP): we will frame the highest-ROI workflows. 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.
