The verdict in three sentences
For a contractor or SME under 20 users, an off-the-shelf construction app at 45-130 EUR/user/month covers 80 % of time-tracking and scheduling needs. The moment you want per-site margin tracking aligned with your cost accounting and subcontractors, custom software at 70,000-200,000 EUR pays off. The tipping point lands around 15 active sites and a margin lift of +3 to +7 points.
Off-the-shelf licence or custom build?
Packaged construction SaaS deploys fast but charges per user and caps analytical customisation. Custom costs more up front but removes the per-seat subscription and fits your time-tracking, progress and progress-billing processes.
| Criterion | Off-the-shelf app | Kolonell custom |
|---|---|---|
| Entry cost | 0-5,000 EUR setup | 70,000-200,000 EUR |
| Recurring cost | 45-130 EUR/user/month | Maintenance 8-15 %/yr |
| Cost, 15 users over 3 yrs | 24,000-70,000 EUR | 12,000-30,000 EUR after build |
| Time to go live | 2-6 weeks | 5-9 months |
| Analytical margin tracking | Standard, limited | Bespoke, unlimited |
| Offline mobile time-tracking | Vendor-dependent | Native, site-ready |
| Code ownership | No | Yes |
The features that move margin
Software cost is judged not by its price but by the margin points it protects. Three modules matter in 2026.
| Module | Quantified impact | Dev time |
|---|---|---|
| Geolocated mobile time-tracking | -1 to -3 % unbilled hours | 3-5 weeks |
| Per-site margin tracking | +3 to +7 net margin points | 6-9 weeks |
| Multi-site scheduling | -10 to -20 % resource clashes | 4-6 weeks |
| Progress billing | Payment delay -8 to -15 days | 4-5 weeks |
| Subcontractor management | -2 to -4 % disputes | 3-4 weeks |
Mini case study
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Thomas runs a structural works firm in Berlin: 15 active sites, 42 staff, 9.5M EUR revenue. His site managers lose half a day a week consolidating Excel timesheets. Custom build at 120,000 EUR, maintenance 14,000 EUR/yr. Mobile time-tracking recovers 0.5 margin points (47,500 EUR/yr) and analytical tracking unlocks 3 more (285,000 EUR/yr). Payback in under 5 months, before any cash-flow gains on billing.
FAQ
What is a realistic minimum budget to start? Budget 70,000 EUR for a custom core (time-tracking, scheduling, margin) delivered in 5-6 months. Below that, an off-the-shelf licence at 45-90 EUR/user/month is smarter.
Does mobile time-tracking work without a signal on site? Yes, an offline mode syncs hours once the network returns. Allow 3 to 5 weeks of development for that module.
How much is annual maintenance? Between 8 and 15 % of build cost, i.e. 6,000 to 30,000 EUR/yr, including updates and hosting depending on scope.
How fast do margin gains appear? First points show from the second quarter of use: +3 to +7 points of net margin over 12 months for a 15-site SME.
Can it connect to accounting and payroll? Yes: an API to your accounting software and standardised payroll exports, integrated in 4 to 6 weeks depending on formats.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your number of sites, your users and your current time-tracking and accounting tools. 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.
