The verdict in three sentences
A bespoke business application in London runs between GBP 30,000 and 90,000 (EUR 35,000-105,000) for a first production release, delivered in 12 to 18 weeks. A generic SaaS looks cheaper up front (GBP 25-60 per user per month), but across 50 users over 4 years the licence far outweighs an amortised build. The real question is not the sticker price but the total cost of ownership and the admin time recovered, often 20-30 %.
Build vs buy: the real 4-year comparison
The classic trap is comparing a one-off development quote with a monthly subscription that feels trivial. For a 50-user team, the subscription becomes the dominant line item.
| Line item (50 users, 4 years) | Off-the-shelf SaaS | Bespoke |
|---|---|---|
| Initial build | GBP 0 | GBP 55,000 |
| Licence / year | GBP 27,000 | GBP 0 |
| Maintenance / year | included | GBP 9,500 |
| Hosting / year | included | GBP 2,400 |
| Customisation | limited | included |
| Total 4 years | GBP 108,000 | GBP 102,600 |
At GBP 40/user/month, SaaS reaches GBP 108,000 over four years while you own nothing. Bespoke crosses the break-even point around year three, then widens the gap every year after.
What the development weeks really cost
| Phase | Duration | 2026 order of magnitude |
|---|---|---|
| Scoping & specs | 1-2 weeks | GBP 3,500 - 7,000 |
| UX/UI design | 2-3 weeks | GBP 6,000 - 12,000 |
| Core development | 6-9 weeks | GBP 18,000 - 45,000 |
| Integrations & tests | 2-3 weeks | GBP 5,000 - 15,000 |
| UAT & go-live | 1 week | GBP 2,500 - 6,000 |
| Annual maintenance | recurring | 15-20 % of build |
A London agency bills GBP 500-900 per day; a French-speaking nearshore team drops to GBP 300-480 per day for comparable quality, which explains the lower end of the same scope.
Mini case study
James, operations director of a 48-person distribution SMB in London, juggles seven shared spreadsheets and loses hours to re-keying. He scopes an internal order and stock tracker: GBP 48,000 build, GBP 8,600 annual maintenance. His admin teams recover 25 % of their time, the equivalent of 1.5 headcount out of six people, roughly GBP 42,000 per year. The tool pays back in 14 months; over four years, net savings exceed GBP 90,000, before counting fewer data-entry errors.
FAQ
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Why does London bespoke cost GBP 30,000-90,000?
The spread comes from scope: a single-process tool starts near GBP 30,000, while a multi-module platform with integrations exceeds GBP 80,000. The key driver is the number of business flows to automate.
Isn't SaaS safer and faster?
It is faster to start and right for standard needs. As soon as your processes become a competitive edge or you pass 40-50 users, cumulative licences and lack of customisation cost more than owning a build.
How much should I budget for maintenance?
Budget 15-20 % of the build per year for fixes, changes and hosting. On a GBP 50,000 build, that is around GBP 7,500-10,000 annually.
Can you deliver faster than 18 weeks?
Yes, by carving an MVP around the most painful process, shippable in 8-10 weeks, then iterating. That lowers risk and spreads the investment.
Who owns the code?
With a proper bespoke development contract, you own the source code and can switch providers. That is the opposite of a SaaS where you rent access.
Let's scope your project. Tell us which spreadsheets to replace, your user count and an indicative budget, and we'll price an MVP shippable in 8-12 weeks. 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.
