The verdict in three sentences
The go-live date of a custom web app is decided during scoping, not during development: 2 to 4 well-used weeks prevent most delays. Expect 8 to 12 weeks for an MVP, 4 to 6 months for a medium business app and 5 to 9 months for a complex app with ERP integrations. Give your leadership team a date that includes a 20 to 30 % buffer for testing and decisions, or you will end up announcing a delay.
Project phases and their real duration
In Toronto, mid-market manufacturers, logistics firms and service companies often start an app project to replace ageing software or digitise a key process. The schedule depends first on complexity.
| Phase | MVP (1 process) | Medium app | Complex app |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scoping and specifications | 2 weeks | 3 weeks | 4 to 6 weeks |
| Wireframes and UX validation | 1 to 2 weeks | 2 to 3 weeks | 4 weeks |
| Development in sprints | 4 to 6 weeks | 10 to 14 weeks | 16 to 26 weeks |
| Integrations (ERP, SSO, payroll) | 0 to 1 week | 2 to 3 weeks | 4 to 8 weeks |
| Acceptance testing and fixes | 1 to 2 weeks | 2 to 3 weeks | 4 to 6 weeks |
| Go-live and training | 1 week | 1 to 2 weeks | 2 to 3 weeks |
| Total | 8 to 12 weeks | 4 to 6 months | 5 to 9 months |
These durations are 2026 orders of magnitude for a team of 2 to 4 developers. Adding developers does not divide the timeline: beyond 5 people, coordination absorbs part of the gain.
Causes of delay, and how to neutralise them
Most overruns come not from code but from organisation on the client side.
| Cause of delay | Typical delay | Countermeasure at scoping |
|---|---|---|
| Vague or shifting specifications | 3 to 8 weeks | prioritised backlog, frozen MVP scope |
| Slow internal approvals | 1 to 2 weeks per sprint | single decision maker, 45-minute weekly review |
| Late access to ERP or APIs | 2 to 6 weeks | technical access secured before sprint 1 |
| Poor quality migration data | 2 to 4 weeks | data audit during scoping |
| Testing by unavailable users | 1 to 3 weeks | named test users with booked time |
| Security requirements found late | 2 to 5 weeks | IT and security sign-off during scoping |
The 20 to 30 % buffer rule covers these risks without renegotiation. On a 20-week project, announce 24 to 26 weeks.
Timeline and budget: the Kolonell grid by complexity
Timeline and budget move together. The 2026 Kolonell grid for custom apps:
| Complexity | Example | Kolonell budget | Indicative timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple | internal tool, 1 process, 2 roles | 2,500,000 to 4,000,000 FCFA, i.e. 3,810 to 6,100 EUR | 8 to 12 weeks |
| Medium | client portal, workflows, 4 to 6 roles | 4,000,000 to 7,000,000 FCFA, i.e. 6,100 to 10,670 EUR | 3 to 5 months |
| Complex | multi-site platform, ERP integrations | 7,000,000 to 15,000,000+ FCFA, i.e. 10,670 to 22,870+ EUR | 5 to 9 months |
For comparison, a Toronto agency commonly bills 120 to 180 CAD per hour, i.e. 60,000 to 250,000 CAD for a medium to complex app (market estimate).
Mini case study
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Illustrative example: Mark, CEO of a Toronto distribution company with 350 staff, wants a customer returns management app. His September leadership meeting expects a date.
- Complexity: medium, with integration into NetSuite.
- Raw schedule: 3 weeks scoping, 2 wireframes, 12 development, 3 integration, 3 testing, 1 go-live, i.e. 24 weeks.
- 25 % buffer: 6 weeks, i.e. 30 weeks announced.
- Start on 2 November 2026, go-live announced for end of May 2027.
- Budget: 6,500,000 FCFA, around 9,910 EUR, plus 75,000 FCFA (110 EUR) monthly maintenance.
By announcing end of May rather than end of April, Mark keeps a real buffer and avoids going back to his board with a slip.
FAQ
How long does it take to build a custom web app?
Expect 8 to 12 weeks for an MVP focused on one process, 4 to 6 months for a medium app and 5 to 9 months for a complex app. Add a 20 to 30 % buffer to the announced date.
Can we speed up by adding developers?
Up to 4 or 5 people, partly. Beyond that, coordination time grows and the gain becomes marginal, especially if client-side approvals stay slow.
Is scoping really necessary?
Yes. 2 to 4 weeks of scoping, around 10 % of the budget, sharply reduce the risk of a 3 to 8 week overrun caused by vague specifications.
Which development method should we follow?
An agile approach with 2-week sprints and a demo at the end of each sprint lets you check progress every 2 weeks instead of discovering it at the end.
How much does a medium-complexity app cost at Kolonell?
Between 4,000,000 and 7,000,000 FCFA, i.e. 6,100 to 10,670 EUR, for a timeline of 3 to 5 months depending on integrations.
Let's scope your project. Describe the process to digitise, the systems to connect and your target date, and we will send back a phased schedule and a budget on the Kolonell grid, from 2,500,000 to 15,000,000+ FCFA depending on complexity. 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.
