The verdict in three sentences
A custom construction site management platform runs 50,000 to 120,000 EUR in London in 2026, over a 5 to 9 month timeline. The core value is not the back office but the offline-capable field mobile app: clock-in, timestamped photos and progress valuations captured right on site. The return comes from invoicing accelerated by 30% and site margins finally steered in real time.
What a custom site platform covers
Unlike a generic construction ERP, custom software mirrors your processes: internal dockets, cost codes per work package, your own approval flow. The modules below are a 2026 order of magnitude for a construction SME of 20 to 80 staff.
| Module | Indicative cost (EUR) | Field mobile app | Main gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Site tracking & planning | 9,000 - 18,000 | Yes (offline) | Real-time view per site |
| Time & attendance | 6,000 - 12,000 | Yes (offline) | -20% payroll errors |
| Plant & equipment | 7,000 - 14,000 | Yes | -15% losses/idle time |
| Subcontractors & contracts | 6,000 - 13,000 | Read-only | Compliance |
| Progress valuations | 8,000 - 16,000 | Capture | +30% faster invoicing |
| Photos & field reports | 5,000 - 10,000 | Yes (offline) | Dispute evidence |
| Accounting/payroll integration | 7,000 - 15,000 | No | -1 double entry |
Timeline, TCO and market comparison
Subscription construction tools cost less up front but hit a ceiling once your processes leave the standard. Here is the 5-year order of magnitude.
| Criterion | Market SaaS | Custom (Kolonell) |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | 3,000 - 10,000 EUR | 50,000 - 120,000 EUR |
| Subscription | 40 - 90 EUR/user/month | Hosting 150 - 400 EUR/month |
| 5-year TCO (30 users) | 75,000 - 170,000 EUR | 80,000 - 150,000 EUR |
| Custom offline app | Rare/limited | Native |
| Code ownership | No | Yes |
| Time to go live | 1 - 3 months | 5 - 9 months |
Mini case study
Mark, director of a groundworks firm in London (45 staff, 12 active sites). Previously, progress valuations went out on average 18 days after month-end due to unreliable field data. With an offline site-capture app, that delay drops to 5 days. On 6.2M EUR turnover and working capital financed at 6%, saving 13 days of cash represents roughly 13,400 EUR/year in interest saved, plus recovered missed billing estimated at 35,000 EUR/year. An 78,000 EUR investment pays back in under 24 months.
FAQ
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How much is a site app that works without signal?
Budget 12,000 to 30,000 EUR depending on embedded modules (clock-in, photos, valuations). Offline with deferred sync is the most sensitive technical item, to specify at scoping.
Realistic timeline for a first field rollout?
A usable MVP on 2-3 pilot sites ships in 3 to 4 months; the full version with accounting integration in 5 to 9 months.
Can it connect to our payroll and accounting software?
Yes. Integration (Sage, Xero, or outsourced payroll) is 7,000 to 15,000 EUR and eliminates double entry of hours and valuations.
Is custom worth it against SaaS at 60 EUR/user/month?
Beyond 25-30 users and specific processes, the 5-year TCO converges (80,000-150,000 EUR), plus you own the code and get a truly fitting field app.
Who hosts and maintains the platform?
European cloud hosting at 150-400 EUR/month; maintenance (updates, support) is contracted at 12-18% of project cost per year.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your active site count, field headcount and current accounting/payroll tools for a precise quote (indicative budget 50,000-120,000 EUR, 5-9 months). 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.
