The verdict in three sentences
For a general contractor with 30 to 60 staff, the point is not to go digital for its own sake: it is to protect project margin by tracking progress, interim valuations, snags and subcontractors in one place. A construction SaaS at 60 to 150 EUR per user per month covers standard needs well, but struggles once the way you manage packages or subcontractors leaves the template. Custom software at 40,000 to 80,000 EUR is justified from 20 to 25 projects a year and 8 to 10 million EUR of turnover.
Construction SaaS or custom: the numbers
In Dublin, the construction market remains stretched between housing delivery, retrofit grants and commercial fit-outs. Contracts managers still spend 6 to 8 hours a week re-entering information sent by WhatsApp or written on paper.
| Option | Upfront cost | Annual cost (15 users) | Fit with your processes | Data ownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excel + WhatsApp + binders | 0 EUR | No licence, 300 to 400 h of re-entry | Total but fragile | Scattered |
| Generalist construction SaaS | 1,000 to 5,000 EUR (setup) | 10,800 to 27,000 EUR | Medium | With the vendor |
| Full construction ERP | 20,000 to 60,000 EUR | 15,000 to 40,000 EUR | Good, after long setup | Vendor or on premises |
| Custom software (web + mobile) | 40,000 to 80,000 EUR | 6,000 to 12,000 EUR maintenance and hosting | Total | Yours |
| Hybrid: SaaS + custom modules | 15,000 to 30,000 EUR | 12,000 to 30,000 EUR | Good | Shared |
Over five years with 15 users, a SaaS at 100 EUR a month costs about 90,000 EUR, against 70,000 to 140,000 EUR for custom software including maintenance. The difference is therefore about functional fit, not the licence.
The modules that protect margin
| Module | Indicative 2026 budget | Measurable effect (order of magnitude) |
|---|---|---|
| Progress by package with geotagged photos | 8,000 to 14,000 EUR | Budget overruns spotted 3 to 4 weeks earlier |
| Interim valuations and variations | 8,000 to 15,000 EUR | Valuations issued in 2 days instead of 7 to 10 |
| Snagging and close-out (practical completion) | 5,000 to 10,000 EUR | Snag close-out time down 30 to 40% |
| Subcontractor tracking (RCT, tax clearance, insurance) | 6,000 to 12,000 EUR | Zero expired compliance documents |
| Site diary and automatic reports | 4,000 to 8,000 EUR | 2 to 3 h a week saved per contracts manager |
| Margin dashboard per project | 5,000 to 10,000 EUR | Weekly steering of 30 projects |
| Accounting and payroll connector | 4,000 to 11,000 EUR | End of double entry of hours and purchases |
The mobile app must work offline (basements, poor coverage), syncing when the network returns. Also plan exports in the format expected by employers' representatives, assigned certifiers and insurers.
Mini case study
Aoife, managing director of a 45-person general contractor in Sandyford, Dublin, turns over 12 million EUR across 30 projects a year, with an average net project margin of 6%. Her 6 contracts managers lose 7 hours a week to re-entry.
- Investment: custom web and mobile software (progress, valuations, snags, subcontractors, dashboard): 62,000 EUR, maintenance 800 EUR a month.
- Margin: +2 points on 12 million EUR thanks to early detection of overruns and properly billed variations = 240,000 EUR a year. Under a cautious +0.5 point assumption: 60,000 EUR.
- Time: 6 managers x 5 h saved x 45 weeks x 55 EUR loaded = 74,250 EUR of time redeployed.
- Even in the cautious case, the annual gain (60,000 + 74,250 - 9,600 = 124,650 EUR) pays back the investment in about 6 months.
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FAQ
Isn't a construction SaaS enough for 45 staff?
Often yes, to start. Custom software becomes relevant once you pass 20 projects a year or your processes (packages, subcontracting, valuations) do not fit the tool, with 15 to 20% of time spent working around it.
How long does development take?
Allow 4 to 6 months: 3 weeks of discovery, then releases every 4 to 6 weeks. A first module (progress and photos) can run on 2 pilot sites from the second month.
Will site teams and subcontractors use it?
Yes, if the mobile app fits in 3 screens and works offline. Adoption exceeds 80% after 3 months when daily input takes under 2 minutes.
How do we handle subcontractor compliance documents?
The software stores tax clearance, RCT details and insurance certificates, and alerts 30 days before expiry. That avoids paying a non-compliant subcontractor and the resulting tax exposure.
Can we import our Excel history?
Yes, migrating the last 2 to 3 years of projects usually costs 2,000 to 5,000 EUR depending on file quality.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your project volume and current tools: we will price site reporting software between 40,000 and 80,000 EUR, with a first module live within 8 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.
