The verdict in three sentences
Construction project software is not justified by technology but by the margin recovered from overruns: every point of budget drift avoided easily pays for the tool. In SaaS, expect 30 to 80 EUR per user per month; custom-built, 30,000 to 90,000 EUR excl. VAT for a tool that fits your timesheet, purchasing and work-progress processes. The real criterion is not the entry price but field mobility and the reliability of data captured on site.
SaaS licence vs custom development: the comparison
SaaS starts fast and costs little upfront, but the bill climbs with the number of site managers and premium modules. Custom software requires an initial investment but removes the per-seat subscription and fits your own cost sheets.
| Criterion | Market SaaS | Custom Kolonell |
|---|---|---|
| Entry cost | 0 to 3,000 EUR excl. VAT | 30,000 to 90,000 EUR excl. VAT |
| Recurring cost | 30 to 80 EUR/user/month | Hosting 40 to 150 EUR/month |
| Setup time | 2 to 6 weeks | 4 to 7 months |
| Process fit | Limited (standard) | Total |
| Offline field mobility | Variable | Native |
| Code ownership | No | Yes |
| 3-year TCO (15 users) | 60,000 to 130,000 EUR | 45,000 to 100,000 EUR |
The modules that actually make money
Not all modules are equal. Those tied to cost and time spent deliver the best return.
| Module | Main gain | 2026 figure |
|---|---|---|
| Per-site cost tracking | Drift detection | -20 % overruns |
| Geolocated mobile timesheets | Reliable hours | -5 to -8 admin h/week |
| Work-progress billing | Faster invoicing | -15 days DSO |
| Purchasing/subcontracting | Controlled margin | +2 to 4 margin pts |
| Field photos and reports | Fewer disputes | -30 % rework |
| Resource planning | Utilisation rate | +10 % productivity |
Mini case study
Thierry runs a structural-works SME in Marseille: 22 employees, 6 concurrent sites, 9.5 M EUR revenue. His average overruns reach 4 % of revenue, about 380,000 EUR per year. He invests 58,000 EUR excl. VAT in custom site-tracking software with mobile timesheets. In year one he cuts overruns from 4 % to 3.2 %, saving 76,000 EUR, and gains 6 admin hours per week. Payback: under 10 months, excluding the cash-flow gain from faster invoicing.
FAQ
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Is SaaS enough for a 15-person SME?
Often yes to start: at 50 EUR/user/month, 15 seats cost 9,000 EUR/year. But once your cost sheets and progress statements leave the standard mould, the efficiency gap justifies custom software by year two or three.
Do mobile timesheets work without a signal on site?
Yes if the tool is offline-first: entries are stored locally then synced. Require it in the spec, because many sites have patchy 4G coverage.
How long to deploy a custom tool?
Expect 4 to 7 months depending on modules. A first batch (timesheets + cost tracking) can ship in 3 months for a quick return, with the rest following in iterations.
What maintenance budget should I plan?
For custom software, plan 15 to 20 % of the build cost per year for evolutionary maintenance and hosting, roughly 6,000 to 15,000 EUR/year for a 60,000 EUR tool.
Can accounting and payroll be integrated?
Yes: logged hours feed payroll and costs flow into analytical accounting via API. It is one of the most profitable gains because it removes double entry.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your number of sites, field users and priorities (timesheets, costs, progress billing) and we will price a batch-1 deliverable within 3 months. 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.
