The verdict in three sentences
To bring jobs, field data and invoicing into one system, an Amsterdam surveying firm needs a developer who can handle DWG files, RD New coordinates and NAP heights, data from Kadaster and PDOK, and an offline field app, which many web agencies do poorly. A budget of EUR 30,000 to 80,000 and a timeline of 3 to 5 months are realistic in 2026. Score every candidate on a 100-point grid and drop anyone who cannot show an offline field app already in production.
What your developer must be able to do
A Dutch surveying firm produces topographic surveys, setting-out for construction, measurement reports, NEN 2580 floor area measurements and boundary work linked to Kadaster records. Each job combines client documents, field observations, CAD drawings and public geodata from services like the BAG and BRK published through PDOK. Crews work on building sites and in polders where coverage can drop, and in Amsterdam on dense sites where every visit is tightly scheduled.
| Firm requirement | Typical 2026 range | Developer skill needed |
|---|---|---|
| Jobs per year | 400 to 2,000 | Job database, fast search |
| Drawing files | DWG, DXF, PDF | Storage, versioning, preview without CAD |
| Field data | GNSS and total station, 50 to 3,000 points per survey | Point file import, RD New (EPSG:28992) and NAP |
| Public geodata | BAG, BRK, maps via PDOK | API integration, caching |
| Field app | Offline, geotagged photos | Reliable sync, conflict handling |
| Data protection | Owner and client data | GDPR, EU hosting |
Developer types compared
| Developer type | Typical budget | Strengths | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surveying software vendor | Annual licence, varies | Knows the trade | Limited fit with your workflow |
| Local web agency | EUR 30,000 to 55,000 | Proximity, in-person workshops | Rarely strong on offline and GIS |
| Dutch IT consultancy | EUR 55,000 to 80,000+ | Process, large team | Cost, rotating staff |
| Specialist freelancer | EUR 18,000 to 40,000 | Deep expertise, rate | Key person risk |
| Offshore or nearshore studio (Kolonell among others) | Complex app from 4,000,000 to 8,000,000 FCFA and up (about EUR 6,100 to 12,200) | Cost, code ownership | Remote meetings need structure |
The 100-point scoring grid
Have two people from the firm score each candidate after every meeting, then average the results.
| Criterion | Points | How to assess |
|---|---|---|
| Offline field app already in production | 20 | Live demo on a phone in airplane mode |
| DWG, point files and RD coordinates | 15 | Import one of your real files during the meeting |
| Understanding of surveying work | 15 | Questions on setting-out, NEN 2580, Kadaster workflows |
| Clarity of quote and plan | 15 | Releases, deliverables, days per release, acceptance terms |
| Code ownership and exit plan | 10 | Source handed over, documentation, hosting in your name |
| Support and maintenance | 10 | Response times, monthly cost, emergency cover |
| Security and GDPR | 10 | EU hosting, backups, access rights |
| Comparable references | 5 | Offline mobile or mapping projects |
Below 60 points, drop the candidate. Between 60 and 75, ask for a paid 2 to 5 day discovery workshop before signing. Above 75, negotiate the plan.
Red flags in meetings
Walk away from a fixed price given before any questions about your jobs, a promise to deliver everything in under 6 weeks, vague answers on offline sync, refusal to hand over source code, or no formal acceptance testing. Be wary too of anyone who wants to move all your drawings into a closed tool without a clean export path.
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Illustrative example: Daan, partner at a surveying firm in Amsterdam-Noord, handles 1,100 jobs a year with 5 field crews. Each surveyor loses about 40 minutes a day transferring photos and point files and filing them in the right job. He scores three developers with the grid: 61, 74 and 84 points. The top scorer quotes EUR 55,000 over 4 months. Across 10 surveyors and 215 working days, the 40 minutes saved add up to about 1,430 hours, worth roughly EUR 64,000 at EUR 45 per loaded hour, so the project pays back in under a year.
FAQ
What should a surveying firm budget for custom software?
Between EUR 30,000 and 80,000 in 2026 for a system covering jobs, field work and invoicing. The upper end reflects a full offline app with mapping and Kadaster integration.
Do we need a developer with surveying experience?
It is a strong advantage, which is why 15 points of the grid cover domain knowledge. Otherwise, require a 2 to 5 day discovery workshop with your surveyors before the final quote.
Can a field app really work without coverage?
Yes, if it is designed for it: local storage, sync when coverage returns, handling of simultaneous edits. Test it in airplane mode for at least 30 minutes during the demo.
How long does the project take?
Plan 3 to 5 months including 3 to 4 weeks of discovery. A first field release can go live in 8 to 10 weeks.
What should the maintenance contract include?
Response times for blocking bugs, security updates, backups and the monthly price. At Kolonell, maintenance ranges from 25,000 to 75,000 FCFA a month (EUR 38 to 115).
Let's scope your project. Send us your job volume, file formats and field constraints, and we will price an app from 4,000,000 to 8,000,000 FCFA (about EUR 6,100 to 12,200), delivered in 3 to 6 months, with an offline demo. 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.
