The verdict in three sentences
A construction SaaS covers 80 % of needs at 20 to 50 EUR per user per month, but hits a ceiling the moment you want time tracking, purchasing and margin in one flow. Custom software costs 40,000 to 100,000 EUR and pays off if you run more than 15 sites in parallel and lose margin points for lack of cost tracking. The real gain is not the software: it is real-time cost piloting that protects your margin.
SaaS or custom: the deciding table
The choice hinges on three criteria: site volume, cost-tracking depth and field usage. Here are 2026 orders of magnitude.
| Criterion | Construction SaaS | Custom |
|---|---|---|
| Entry cost | 20-50 EUR/user/month | 40,000-100,000 EUR |
| 3-year cost (15 users) | 18,000-32,000 EUR | 50,000-115,000 EUR |
| Rollout time | 2-6 weeks | 4-7 months |
| Planning/purchasing/photos modules | standard, rigid | tailored |
| Cost tracking linked to accounting | limited | native |
| Workflow customization | low | full |
| Code ownership | no | yes |
In practice, a firm running fewer than 10 sites/year stays on SaaS. Beyond that, custom becomes an asset paid back through preserved margin.
The modules that truly matter
Site software only creates value if every module feeds cost tracking. Here are the priority bricks and their budget weight in a custom project.
| Module | What it delivers | Budget share |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-site planning | workload and delay visibility | 15-20 % |
| Mobile field time tracking | reliable hours, geolocation | 15-20 % |
| Purchasing and orders | committed spend | 15-20 % |
| Time-stamped photo reports | progress proof, disputes | 10-15 % |
| Cost and margin tracking | budget vs actual | 20-25 % |
| Management dashboards | overall piloting | 10-15 % |
Mobile field capture is non-negotiable in 2026: without on-site entry, data arrives too late to act.
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Mini case study
Marc, owner of a 45-employee structural works firm near Bordeaux, runs 18 sites in parallel. On 6.2M EUR revenue, a margin drift of just 1.5 points means 93,000 EUR lost per year. He invests 62,000 EUR in custom software with real-time cost tracking. In the first year, early drift detection recovers 2.1 margin points, or 130,000 EUR: the project pays back in under 6 months.
FAQ
Isn't SaaS enough to start? Yes, for a firm running fewer than 10 sites/year, SaaS at 30 EUR/user/month is the right starting point. Custom is justified when SaaS forces you to re-enter data in Excel.
What is the real timeline for custom? Budget 4 to 7 months for a planning + time tracking + cost scope, with a first usable version in 10-12 weeks if scope is framed.
How much is annual maintenance? 2026 order of magnitude: 15 to 20 % of development cost per year, or 6,000 to 20,000 EUR for a 40,000-100,000 EUR project.
Does field mobile work offline? Yes, a well-built app stores time entries and photos offline and syncs on reconnection, essential on remote sites.
Can the software connect to my accounting? Yes, integration with your accounting system or ERP unlocks true margin tracking; plan 15-25 % of budget for these connections.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your number of sites, priority modules and indicative budget, and we'll say whether SaaS or custom at 40,000-100,000 EUR is your best lever. 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.
