The verdict in three sentences
A packaged construction suite starts at 30-90 EUR/month/seat and covers 80 % of a Dublin works director's needs. Custom software at 55,000-125,000 EUR only pays off once add-on modules, config limits and cross-tool re-keying push the TCO above the build. The right question isn't "which is cheaper" but "at what seat count and specificity does the standard cost me more than a tool I own".
5-year TCO: the real match
Assumption: 20 active seats, a 50-employee civil-works firm in Dublin. 2026 orders of magnitude.
| 5-year item | Packaged suite | Custom |
|---|---|---|
| Licences / initial build | 60 EUR/mo × 20 × 60 mo = 72,000 EUR | 90,000 EUR |
| Add-on modules (mobile, planning, DMS) | 15,000-30,000 EUR | Included in scope |
| Config / integration | 5,000-12,000 EUR | Included |
| Maintenance | Included | 15 % of build/year ≈ 67,500 EUR |
| Cross-tool re-keying (time) | ≈ 25,000 EUR | ≈ 4,000 EUR |
| Estimated 5-year TCO | 117,000-139,000 EUR | ≈ 161,500 EUR |
At 20 seats, the standard stays cheaper. The ratio flips once headcount exceeds ~35 seats or your site-tracking processes require 3+ paid add-on modules.
Where the standard hits its limits
| Packaged limit | Field impact | Custom answer |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed cost codes | Imprecise margin per lot | Analytical plan matched to your sites |
| Restricted mobile tracking | Office re-keying | Native offline field app |
| Standard reporting | Manual Excel export | Real-time dashboards |
| Per-seat add-ons | Cost rises with headcount | Fixed cost, code ownership |
| Imposed workflows | Teams adapt to the tool | Tool matched to your processes |
A tailored build takes 12 to 20 weeks, versus 3 to 6 weeks to deploy a standard suite. That start-up delta is part of the switching cost.
Mini case study
Niamh, works director of a 58-employee civil-works firm in Dublin, runs 38 seats on a standard suite plus 2 add-ons at 22 EUR/seat/month. Her software bill hits ≈ 37,000 EUR/year in licences and add-ons combined, plus ≈ 6 hours/week of cross-tool re-keying (≈ 14,000 EUR/year loaded). That's ≈ 51,000 EUR/year. A 105,000 EUR custom build + 15 % maintenance (≈ 15,750 EUR/year) costs ≈ 121,000 EUR in year one, then ≈ 15,750 EUR/year. The cumulative switchover point lands around year 3: beyond it, custom is markedly cheaper — and an owned asset.
FAQ
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At what headcount does custom beat a packaged construction suite?
In practice around 35 active seats, or sooner if you stack 3 or more paid add-ons. Below 20 seats, the packaged suite almost always wins on TCO.
How much do add-on modules cost on a standard construction suite in 2026?
Expect 12 to 25 EUR/seat/month per module (mobile, planning, DMS). On 30 seats and 2 modules, that's already 8,000 to 18,000 EUR/year on top of base licences.
How long to deploy custom site-tracking software?
Between 12 and 20 weeks. Longer than a standard suite (3 to 6 weeks), but the tool matches your cost codes and removes re-keying from go-live.
Can we migrate data from our existing suite to a custom tool?
Yes. We pull sites, contacts and history via export; data migration typically runs 4,000 to 10,000 EUR depending on volume and export quality.
Does custom force us to drop our current accounting?
No. We build a connector to your existing accounting software, so you don't change everything at once and the switch stays low-risk.
Let's scope your project. Give us your seat count, current add-ons and re-keying pain points: we'll model your 5-year build-vs-buy TCO. 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.
