The verdict in three sentences
A rental company handling construction plant or event equipment availability in Excel loses bookings to double bookings and slow replies. A custom B2B booking platform costs MAD 250,000 to 700,000 (about EUR 23,000 to 65,000) depending on modules, delivered in 3 to 5 months. The realistic goal is a 12% lift in fleet utilization, which pays back the project in 12 to 24 months on a mid-sized fleet. Figures below come from our Casablanca projects; London build rates typically run 1.5 to 2 times higher.
Modules and their cost
The core is the real-time availability calendar per machine or batch, synced with workshop returns. Around it come contracts, deposits and per-client negotiated pricing, which is what makes B2B rental distinctive.
| Module | Function | Indicative 2026 cost (MAD excl. tax) |
|---|---|---|
| Catalog and equipment sheets | Specs, photos, technical documents, serial numbers | 30,000 to 60,000 |
| Real-time availability calendar | Auto-blocking, maintenance, transfers between depots | 60,000 to 150,000 |
| Per-client pricing and tiered rates | Negotiated discounts, day, week, month rates | 30,000 to 80,000 |
| Contracts and deposits | PDF generation, e-signature, card pre-authorization or deposit cheque | 40,000 to 110,000 |
| B2B client portal | Quote requests, history, invoices, extensions | 40,000 to 100,000 |
| Mobile check-in and check-out | Departure and return photos, engine hours, tablet signature | 30,000 to 90,000 |
| ERP or accounting connection | Sage export, invoices, payments | 20,000 to 110,000 |
| Total range | Full project | 250,000 to 700,000 |
A serious first release (catalog, calendar, client pricing, contracts, client portal) sits around MAD 300,000 to 380,000 (about EUR 28,000 to 35,000). Mobile inspections and ERP integration can wait for a second phase.
Excel, off-the-shelf software or custom
Rental SaaS products exist, mostly European or North American. They suit simple rental businesses but handle deposit cheques, local tax invoicing and the key-account negotiated rates common in B2B rental poorly.
| Criterion | Shared Excel | Foreign rental SaaS | Custom platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry cost | Near zero | MAD 5,000 to 20,000 setup | MAD 250,000 to 700,000 |
| Recurring cost | Lost time | MAD 1,500 to 6,000/month by users | MAD 2,500 to 8,000/month hosting and maintenance |
| Double bookings | Frequent | Rare | Blocked by design |
| Per-client negotiated rates | Manual | Limited | Native |
| Compliant invoices (tax IDs, 20% VAT) | Manual | Often needs adapting | Native |
| Online booking by clients | No | Yes, generic interface | Yes, under your brand |
| Data ownership | Yes | No | Yes |
Delivery schedule
| Phase | Duration | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Scoping and fleet inventory | 2 to 3 weeks | Data model, pricing rules |
| Mockups and validation | 2 to 3 weeks | Client journey and counter agent journey |
| Core development | 6 to 10 weeks | Calendar, catalog, pricing, contracts |
| Excel data migration | 1 to 2 weeks | Fleet, clients, live contracts |
| Acceptance and go-live | 2 to 3 weeks | Agent training, phased launch |
Mini case study
Karim runs an aerial work platform and generator rental company in Casablanca with 140 machines and MAD 9.5 million in annual rental revenue. His average utilization is 58%.
- Selected scope: full core plus client portal, MAD 360,000
- Maintenance and hosting: MAD 4,500 per month, i.e. MAD 54,000 per year
- Target: from 58% to 65% utilization, a 12% relative lift
- Estimated extra revenue: 9.5M × 12% = MAD 1,140,000 per year
- At a 30% operating margin on that surplus: MAD 342,000 of extra profit
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Estimated payback: about 15 months, not counting counter hours saved on quotes and deposit follow-ups.
FAQ
How much does a booking platform for a rental company cost?
Between MAD 250,000 and 700,000 (about EUR 23,000 to 65,000) in 2026 depending on modules. A solid first release usually costs MAD 300,000 to 380,000.
How long until the platform is live?
Count 3 to 5 months from scoping to go-live. The availability calendar can ship first, from month three.
How are deposits handled?
The platform records the deposit type (cheque, transfer, card pre-authorization), amount and return date. Automatic reminders cut forgotten deposits, which can tie up tens of thousands of dirhams.
Can key-account clients book by themselves?
Yes, with their negotiated rates and commitment limits. Requests above a set amount, for example MAD 50,000, go to your team for approval.
Can the platform handle several depots?
Yes, with equipment transfers between sites. That module usually adds MAD 30,000 to 60,000 to the budget.
Let's scope your project. Tell us about your fleet, depots and pricing model: we will quote a first release between MAD 250,000 and 700,000, deliverable in 3 to 5 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.
