The verdict in three sentences
A custom estimating web app for a group of building trade contractors costs 28,000 to 50,000 EUR excl. VAT in 2026 (about 24,000 to 43,000 GBP). It produces a joint multi-trade quote (plumbing, electrical, plastering) in 30 minutes instead of 3 hours, using a shared library of work items. Against off-the-shelf licences at 60 to 120 EUR per user per month, payback comes at around 14 months for a group of 14 firms.
What the app costs, module by module
The chair of a contractors' group wants to bid together on whole-house refurbishments and private tenders. The problem: each firm prices with its own tool, rates and layout, then someone stitches it all together in Excel. The app centralises that work.
| Module | 2026 range (EUR excl. VAT) | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Scoping with 3 to 4 lead contractors | 2,500 to 4,000 | 2 weeks |
| Work item library, build-ups and unit rates | 7,000 to 12,000 | 4 weeks |
| Multi-trade quote editor with take-offs | 8,000 to 14,000 | 5 weeks |
| PDF export branded for the group and each firm | 2,500 to 5,000 | 2 weeks |
| Mark-ups, margins and VAT rates | 2,500 to 4,500 | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Accounting sync (Xero, Sage, QuickBooks) | 3,000 to 6,000 | 2 weeks |
| Per-firm permissions, QA, training | 2,500 to 4,500 | 2 weeks |
| Total | 28,000 to 50,000 | 14 to 18 weeks |
The work item library is the heart of the project: its quality determines estimating speed. Allow time for contractors to supply cost prices and reference installation times.
Custom build or off-the-shelf estimating software?
Construction quoting software works well for a single firm. For a group pricing with many hands, the limits show quickly: no consolidated multi-firm quote and no shared library controlled by the group.
| Criterion | Market licences (14 firms, 28 users) | Custom app |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | 0 to 2,000 EUR set-up | 28,000 to 50,000 EUR excl. VAT |
| Monthly cost | 60 to 120 EUR per user, i.e. 1,680 to 3,360 EUR | hosting + maintenance, 450 to 750 EUR |
| 3-year cost | 60,500 to 121,000 EUR | 44,000 to 77,000 EUR |
| Consolidated multi-firm quote | no or patched | native |
| Shared price library | no | yes, versioned |
| Group branding | limited | full |
| Data ownership | vendor | group |
Over three years, the custom build costs less once the group passes about twenty users, and it creates an asset the group owns.
Calculating the return on investment
The main gain is the time of contractor owners, who often price jobs in the evening. The second is conversion: a fast, clean quote gets signed more often.
| Indicator | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Time per joint quote | 3 hours | 30 minutes |
| Joint quotes per month | 40 | 55 (freed capacity) |
| Turnaround to client | 5 to 8 days | 24 to 48 hours |
| Win rate | 22 % | 28 % (estimate) |
| Stitching errors between trades | frequent | near zero |
| Monthly estimating time | 120 hours | 27 hours |
Mini case study
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Mark, chair of a group of 14 trade contractors in Manchester, invests 38,000 EUR excl. VAT. The group produced 40 joint quotes a month at 3 hours each, 120 hours. With the app, 40 quotes take 20 hours: 100 hours freed a month. Valued at 55 EUR an hour, that is 5,500 EUR a month. Only part turns into real value, say 50 %, i.e. 2,750 EUR a month, minus 500 EUR of maintenance and hosting: 2,250 EUR net. The project pays back in about 17 months on time savings alone, and in 14 months when counting 2 extra jobs won per quarter.
FAQ
How much does a custom construction estimating app cost?
Between 28,000 and 50,000 EUR excl. VAT in 2026 depending on the number of trades and accounting integration. An MVP limited to the library and quote editor starts at around 20,000 EUR excl. VAT.
Can we import our existing price books?
Yes, import from Excel or from common software exports is planned during scoping. Allow 2 to 4 days of clean-up per firm to align units and descriptions.
Does the app handle different VAT rates?
Yes, rates are applied per line (for example 0 %, 5 % and 20 % in the UK, 5.5 %, 10 % and 20 % in France). This avoids frequent errors on energy-efficiency work.
Do we need internet access on site?
An offline mobile version for take-offs adds 4,000 to 7,000 EUR excl. VAT. Data syncs as soon as the connection returns.
How long until go-live?
Allow 14 to 18 weeks, including 2 weeks of live testing with 3 pilot firms before rollout to all 14 members.
Let's scope your project. Tell us the number of firms, trades and your accounting software: we will price an app between 28,000 and 50,000 EUR excl. VAT, delivered in 14 to 18 weeks. 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.
