The verdict in three sentences
Construction management software is billed either at 60-120 EUR per user per month as SaaS, or at 80,000-220,000 EUR as a custom site ERP with 15 % maintenance/year. The real lever is not the licence but the -20 % site budget overrun, the progress billings issued in 1 day instead of 5, and the margin tracked in real time. For a multi-site developer with integrated payroll and accounting, custom pays back in 2 to 4 years.
The 2026 budget: SaaS or custom ERP
The choice depends on user count and the need for accounting/payroll integration. The table below quantifies both models for a mid-sized construction firm.
| Solution | Upfront cost | Recurring | Accounting/payroll integration | Business-specific fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction SaaS | 0-8,000 EUR | 60-120 EUR/user/month | Partial | No |
| Adapted software | 30,000-70,000 EUR | 800-1,800 EUR/month | Medium | Limited |
| Custom site ERP | 80,000-220,000 EUR | Maint. 12,000-33,000 EUR/yr | Complete | Total |
| Temp-labour + billings module | included in scope | included in maint. | Temp payroll | Yes |
For 25 users at 90 EUR/month, SaaS is 27,000 EUR/year, over 135,000 EUR across five years without full accounting integration or customised progress billings.
The modules that protect the margin
In construction, profitability is decided by site monitoring and billing speed. Here is the 2026 impact of the structuring functions.
| Module | What it solves | Estimated 2026 gain |
|---|---|---|
| Real-time site monitoring | Budget vs actual per lot | -20 % overrun |
| Progress billings | Issue and client approval | 1 day instead of 5 |
| Retention guarantee | Automatic 5 % tracking | Zero missed release |
| Accounting + temp payroll | End of double entry | Faster close |
| Quotes / variations | Pricing and traceability | Margin tracked in real time |
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Mini case study
Claire, CFO of a property development firm in Lyon, runs 6 simultaneous sites on a 9 M EUR annual budget. An average overrun of 6 % meant 540,000 EUR/year of eroded margin. A custom site ERP at 180,000 EUR (maintenance 27,000 EUR/yr) with real-time monitoring and automated billings cuts the overrun to 4.8 %, i.e. -20 %, recovering about 108,000 EUR/year. In parallel, progress billings go from 5 days to 1 day, accelerating client collection. Payback in under 2 years.
FAQ
Construction SaaS or custom ERP? Below 15 users with no deep accounting integration, SaaS at 60-120 EUR/user/month suffices. Beyond that, or with temp payroll and complex billings, a custom ERP at 80,000-220,000 EUR becomes profitable.
Does the software handle the retention guarantee? Yes: a dedicated module automatically tracks the 5 % retained and its release, avoiding costly oversights at project close.
How much is maintenance? Maintenance runs about 15 %/yr of the upfront cost, i.e. 12,000 to 33,000 EUR/year, covering regulatory changes, support and hosting.
Can temp-labour payroll be integrated? Yes: a custom ERP connects site hours to temp payroll and accounting, removing double entry and making the close reliable.
How long to deploy? Expect 4 to 7 months for a scope covering site monitoring, billings, quotes and accounting integration, delivered in sprints with migration of ongoing sites.
Let's scope your project. Construction firm or multi-site developer, indicative budget 80,000-220,000 EUR, 4-7 month deployment with progress billings, retention guarantee and accounting/temp-payroll integration. 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.
