The verdict in three sentences
For an Austin furniture maker producing made-to-order casegoods and millwork for hotels, offices and restaurants across Texas, the right developer is the one who understands your shop before talking about technology: the grid below gives 25 of 100 points to that alone. A 2026 market ballpark for custom quoting, bill of materials and production tracking software is $80,000 to $300,000. Score every candidate on the same grid after the same shop visit, and drop anyone who prices the job without seeing your CNC nesting data and bills of materials of 20 to 80 parts per piece.
What the software must do
Fix the scope before scoring anyone. A made-to-order shop mostly loses time on estimating, material purchasing and late jobs that surface too late.
| Need | Measurable 2026 requirement |
|---|---|
| Estimating | a 120-room hotel package quoted in under 3 hours |
| Bills of materials | 20 to 80 parts per piece, sheet goods and hardwood quantities calculated |
| Jobs | 40 to 120 orders a month tracked from deposit to install |
| CNC data | cut lists exported to the nesting software, actual sheet usage imported back |
| Inventory | sheet goods, hardwood, hardware, reorder alerts |
| Shop floor | work orders by station (cutting, machining, assembly, finishing) |
| Visibility | any job at risk flagged at least 5 working days before the promised date |
The 100-point scoring grid
Fill in one column per candidate after each meeting. The weighting favours trade understanding, because that is what keeps the budget under control.
| Criterion | Points | What earns full marks |
|---|---|---|
| Understanding of the shop floor | 25 | visited the shop, asked about BOMs, nesting, offcuts and stations |
| Quality of the functional proposal | 15 | clear phases, requirements with acceptance criteria |
| Clarity and realism of the quote | 15 | days per phase, recurring costs separate, assumptions written |
| Comparable references | 10 | production or inventory software delivered and demonstrable |
| Method and schedule | 10 | first useful release in 8 to 12 weeks, regular demos |
| Integrations (CNC, accounting, CRM) | 10 | has connected nesting or accounting software before |
| Maintenance and support | 10 | written monthly fee, defined response times |
| Code ownership and exit | 5 | source code and database handed over |
| Total | 100 | suggested threshold: 70 points to shortlist |
Red flags in meetings
| Red flag | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Quote sent without a shop visit or BOM review | pricing rests on guesses, change orders will follow |
| One lump sum with no breakdown by phase | you cannot compare or trim scope |
| Refusal to hand over source code | full dependency on the vendor |
| No demo before the end of the project | misunderstandings surface too late |
| Maintenance left vague | hidden recurring cost, often high |
| Full scope promised in under 6 weeks | unrealistic for 40 to 120 orders and complex BOMs |
A nearshore option: Kolonell's prices
Kolonell can be scored on this grid like any other candidate. Its prices are public: medium application 6,100 to 10,670 EUR (4,000,000 to 7,000,000 FCFA) for quoting, orders and inventory, and complex application 10,670 to 22,870 EUR and more with detailed BOMs, CNC data exchange and station work orders. Monthly maintenance runs from 53 EUR to 183 EUR. You receive the source code.
Mini case study
Illustrative example: Rachel, owner of an Austin custom furniture shop, handles 70 orders a month. Each complex estimate takes her lead estimator about 6 hours, and 15 % of orders ship late, costing an average of $1,800 in expediting, overtime and goodwill credits per late order: $18,900 a month.
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She scores three developers: 55 points (quote without a visit), 72 and 84. She picks the third at $140,000. If BOMs and shop scheduling cut late orders by half, she saves $9,450 a month. Payback lands at about 15 months, before counting the estimating hours freed for new hospitality bids.
FAQ
What does furniture production software cost in Austin in 2026?
The 2026 market ballpark for a custom build is $80,000 to $300,000 depending on BOM depth, CNC integration and accounting links. Maintenance usually runs 15 to 20 % a year.
Why give 25 points to shop floor understanding?
Because most overruns come from a trade misunderstood at the start. A developer who has seen your stations and offcuts prices accurately from the first version.
Should we insist on a shop visit?
Yes, at least 2 hours with your shop manager. It is the best way to check that the developer understands 20 to 80 parts per piece.
Can the software talk to our CNC nesting software?
Usually through cut list exports and usage reports, depending on the formats your nesting software supports. Budget $8,000 to $25,000 on the market for that integration.
How soon can we see results?
A first release covering quoting and orders can be in use within 8 to 12 weeks. The full project typically takes 4 to 7 months.
Let's scope your project. Send us three typical BOMs or invite us to a remote shop walkthrough, and we will price each phase, maintenance and a first useful release. 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.
