The verdict in three sentences
A custom field service management platform costs between EUR 30,000 and 80,000 in 2026, with a 3 to 6 month timeline. The core value sits in three building blocks: technician scheduling, a mobile field app (offline-capable) and client signature with an automatic job report. Return on investment comes from +15% to +25% jobs completed per day and the disappearance of unbilled schedule gaps.
What the budget covers by scope
Price depends mostly on the number of modules and the level of scheduling automation. Here are 2026 orders of magnitude for a services SME (maintenance, HVAC, telecom, equipment).
| Scope | Modules included | Price 2026 (EUR) | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Field MVP | Manual scheduling + mobile app + signature | 30,000 - 42,000 | 3 months |
| Standard | + route optimisation + van stock | 45,000 - 62,000 | 4-5 months |
| Advanced | + auto invoicing + client portal + after-sales | 63,000 - 80,000 | 5-6 months |
| ERP integrations | Sage/SAP connector + real-time sync | +8,000 - 15,000 | +1-2 months |
| Annual maintenance | Fixes, hosting, enhancements | 15-20% of project/yr | ongoing |
Mobile client signature and the PDF report sent to the customer at the end of each job are the features that reassure buyers most: they cut disputes and speed up payment.
Custom build or off-the-shelf?
SaaS vendors charge a subscription per technician. Custom software has a higher upfront cost but pays off on large teams and when processes are specific.
| Criterion | SaaS per technician | Custom software |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | 0 - 5,000 EUR | 30,000 - 80,000 EUR |
| Monthly cost (15 tech.) | 450 - 1,200 EUR/mo | hosting ~150 EUR/mo |
| 4-year cost | 22,000 - 58,000 EUR | 37,000 - 90,000 EUR |
| Process customisation | limited | full |
| Code ownership | no | yes |
| Specific integrations | often paid | included |
Beyond 20-25 technicians and with precise business rules, custom becomes economically competitive while keeping you in control of the roadmap.
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Mini case study
Sarah, operations director of an HVAC maintenance firm in Toronto, manages 18 technicians. Before, each technician completed 4.2 jobs/day; schedule gaps and depot round-trips were costly. After a custom build at EUR 54,000, the average rises to 5.1 jobs/day, i.e. +21%. Across 18 technicians over 220 working days, that is about 3,560 extra jobs/year. At an average margin of EUR 35 per job, gross gain exceeds EUR 124,000/year: the investment pays back in under 6 months, excluding gains on disputes and payment delays.
FAQ
How much is the minimum viable version? An MVP with scheduling, a mobile app and signature costs between EUR 30,000 and 42,000, deliverable in 3 months. It is enough to equip a first team and measure the gain before scaling.
Does the mobile app work without network? Yes, offline mode is essential in the field: the technician records data, takes photos and collects a signature, then sync happens once the network returns. Plan this from the MVP.
Can we connect our ERP or invoicing software? Yes, through a connector (Sage, SAP, EBP). Budget EUR 8,000 to 15,000 depending on the available API and the sync frequency you need.
What is a realistic time to production? Between 3 and 6 months depending on scope. A gradual rollout team by team limits risk and lets you tune scheduling rules on real cases.
Who owns the code and data? With custom development you own the source code, and your data stays with you or a hosting provider you choose, free of vendor lock-in.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your number of technicians, your priority modules (scheduling, mobile app, signature, invoicing) and your target budget, and we will frame scope and integrations. 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.
