The verdict in three sentences
A custom construction site management tool links field time tracking, budget monitoring and subcontractors into one flow, where generic licenses impose their own limits. Budget 40,000 to 100,000 EUR for a dedicated build versus 30 to 90 EUR/user/month for SaaS, delivered in 16 to 24 weeks. Across your active sites, a realistic target is a ~20% reduction in cost overruns and far faster financial closing.
Custom vs. license: the real math
The real question isn't the sticker price but the 3-year cost, per-seat licenses included. 2026 order of magnitude for a mid-sized construction firm.
| Option | Upfront cost | Monthly cost | 3-year cost (25 users) |
|---|---|---|---|
| SaaS Starter license | 0 EUR | 30 EUR/user | ~27,000 EUR |
| SaaS Pro license | 2,000 EUR | 90 EUR/user | ~83,000 EUR |
| Custom Essential | 40,000 EUR | 500 EUR maint. | ~58,000 EUR |
| Custom Extended | 70,000 EUR | 875 EUR maint. | ~101,500 EUR |
| Custom Group | 100,000 EUR | 1,250 EUR maint. | ~145,000 EUR |
Beyond 25 active users, the Pro license quickly overtakes the Custom Essential build — while never becoming yours or fitting your quantity surveys.
The modules that make money
Scope drives price. Here are the bricks to budget and their operational impact.
| Module | Dev time | EUR range | Target gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Offline mobile time tracking | 3-4 wks | 8,000-14,000 | Reliable hours +95% |
| Budget tracking per lot | 4-5 wks | 10,000-18,000 | Overruns -20% |
| Subcontractor management | 3-4 wks | 7,000-13,000 | Billing delays -30% |
| Progress & valuations | 3 wks | 6,000-11,000 | Monthly close -5 days |
| Executive dashboard | 2-3 wks | 5,000-9,000 | Real-time decisions |
Application maintenance (TMA) runs around 15%/year of the build cost: budget it in the quote to secure fixes and enhancements.
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Mini case study
Thomas, owner of a structural works firm in Nantes, runs 9 concurrent sites with 40 workers. Paper time sheets cost his assistant 1 day of data entry per week (~210 EUR/week) and overruns surfaced too late. He invests 65,000 EUR in a custom tool (mobile time tracking + budget monitoring + subcontractors), plus 9,750 EUR/year in maintenance. On 2.2M EUR/year of site purchases, cutting overruns by 20% on the controllable share alone (estimated at 300,000 EUR) means 60,000 EUR saved in year one — the project pays back in under 14 months, admin work included.
FAQ
How much does custom site management software cost in 2026? Budget 40,000 to 100,000 EUR depending on modules. A time-tracking + budget core starts around 40,000 EUR; a multi-site group scope approaches 100,000 EUR.
Custom or off-the-shelf? Below 15 users, a SaaS license (30-90 EUR/user/month) is often enough. Beyond 25 users or with specific processes, custom becomes profitable over 3 years.
What delivery timeline should I expect? From 16 to 24 weeks depending on scope, with a usable first version (time tracking + budget) shippable in 8 to 10 weeks iteratively.
Does time tracking work without signal on site? Yes, an offline mobile module syncs once connectivity returns. It's an 8,000-14,000 EUR line item, essential in poorly covered areas.
What annual maintenance budget? Around 15%/year of the development cost, i.e. 6,000 to 15,000 EUR/year, covering fixes, regulatory updates and support.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your number of sites, users and priority modules (time tracking, budget, subcontractors) for an indicative budget grounded in your reality. 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.
