The verdict in three sentences
A custom BI decision dashboard costs between 8,000 and 30,000 EUR (excl. VAT) in 2026, delivered in 4 to 10 weeks, including source connections, KPIs and visualizations. It replaces 10 to 25 hours/month of manual reporting, makes figures reliable and speeds up decisions. A lightweight data warehouse adds 5,000 to 15,000 EUR excl. VAT but unifies scattered sources and avoids contradictory numbers.
What the price depends on
A BI dashboard is not a pretty chart: it is mostly data plumbing. The number of sources, their quality and the need for history matter more than the number of charts.
| Component | 2026 range (EUR excl. VAT) | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Connecting 1 to 3 sources | 3,000 - 8,000 | 1 - 3 weeks |
| KPI modeling + rules | 2,000 - 7,000 | 1 - 2 weeks |
| Dashboards + visualizations | 3,000 - 10,000 | 2 - 4 weeks |
| Lightweight data warehouse | 5,000 - 15,000 | 2 - 4 weeks |
| Alerts + automated reports | 1,500 - 5,000 | 1 - 2 weeks |
| Access rights / multi-user | 1,500 - 6,000 | 1 - 2 weeks |
A simple dashboard on 2-3 clean sources sits around 8,000 to 14,000 EUR excl. VAT. As soon as sources multiply (ERP, CRM, e-commerce, Excel), the data warehouse becomes essential and pushes toward 20,000 to 30,000 EUR excl. VAT.
Custom vs off-the-shelf tools
Many hesitate between a generic tool (Power BI, Metabase) and custom. The truth: the two often combine, but custom wins as soon as the need is specific.
| Criterion | Generic tool | Custom dashboard |
|---|---|---|
| Initial cost | 0 - 5,000 EUR | 8,000 - 30,000 EUR excl. VAT |
| License cost / year | 1,000 - 6,000 EUR | 0 (proprietary) |
| Fit to your business | Limited | Total |
| Exotic source integration | Hard | Native |
| User experience | Standard | Tailored |
| Long-term autonomy | Vendor lock-in | Total |
Over five years, a custom dashboard with no recurring license often becomes cheaper than a per-user tool, while fitting the business exactly.
Mini case study
Patrick, head of a 60-person services SME in Bordeaux, steers with monthly Excel exports consolidated by hand: 20 h/month of work, figures available with a 3-week lag. He invests 19,000 EUR excl. VAT in a custom BI dashboard (ERP + CRM + accounting) with a small data warehouse. Manual reporting drops to 2 h/month, i.e. 18 h saved valued at 45 EUR/h = 810 EUR/month, i.e. 9,720 EUR/year. Above all, he decides on up-to-date figures: a margin drift caught in real time saves him a loss-making quarter. Investment paid back in about two years on time saved alone, much faster once decisions are factored in.
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FAQ
Power BI or custom?
Power BI or Metabase are enough for standard needs on a small budget. Custom becomes necessary when your sources are exotic, your KPIs specific, or you want zero recurring license and a UX tailored to your teams.
Do I need a data warehouse?
As soon as you cross 3 or more sources, yes. A lightweight data warehouse (5,000 to 15,000 EUR excl. VAT) unifies data, avoids contradictory figures and makes history reliable.
How long to a first version?
A first usable dashboard on your main sources ships in 3 to 5 weeks. You then iterate on KPIs and alerts based on user feedback.
Will the data be real-time?
Depending on sources: real-time for modern APIs, hourly or daily refresh for heavier systems. We calibrate frequency to the business need and cost.
Can we add automatic alerts?
Yes. Alerts (margin thresholds, stockouts, targets) cost 1,500 to 5,000 EUR excl. VAT and turn the dashboard into a proactive rather than passive tool.
Let's scope your project. List your data sources, the KPIs you want to track and your indicative budget: we will frame a first useful dashboard and its costing. 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.
