The verdict in three sentences
Selling construction materials rests on the quote, not the cart: 60 % of purchases go through a quote request before validation. Pairing a catalog with a quote engine and a tonnage-based freight calculation converts job sites, with an average ticket of 200 000 to 2 000 000 FCFA. The operational key is quoting in under 4 hours and reliable heavy delivery.
Quote versus direct purchase
Construction buying behavior is hybrid: small consumables bought directly, large volumes by quote. The table summarizes the split (2026 order of magnitude).
| Order type | Share | Average ticket (FCFA) | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct purchase (consumables) | 40 % | 20 000 - 150 000 | Cart |
| Small-site quote | 35 % | 200 000 - 800 000 | Quote request |
| Large-site quote | 25 % | 800 000 - 2 000 000 | Quote + negotiation |
A construction site offering only the classic cart misses 60 % of potential revenue, the part decided at the quoting stage.
Tonnage-based freight calculation
Delivering cement or rebar is nothing like a light parcel: cost depends on tonnage and distance. 2026 benchmarks.
| Parameter | 2026 value |
|---|---|
| Freight per tonne (short trip) | 5 000 - 15 000 FCFA/km |
| Quoting delay | < 4 h |
| Materials margin | 8 - 18 % |
| Quote vs direct-purchase share | 60 / 40 |
| B2B platform cost | 1 500 000 - 3 500 000 FCFA |
| Heavy delivery delay | D+1 / D+3 |
Displaying automatically calculated freight at quote time avoids nasty surprises and speeds up the customer's decision.
Become a Kolonell referral partner
Construction and B2B are networks: one good contact can be worth a whole job site. That's why Kolonell offers a referral partner (apporteur d'affaires) program. You introduce us to a client, we sign, you earn a commission. 2026 scale below.
| Pole of referred project | Sale commission | Recurring |
|---|---|---|
| Showcase site | 15 % | 5 % |
| E-commerce | 12 % | 5 % |
| Marketplace | 10 % | - |
| Institutional | 8 % | - |
Example: you introduce a hardware store that orders a B2B platform at 3 000 000 FCFA (e-commerce): your commission is 360 000 FCFA, plus 5 % on recurring maintenance. No cap, no exclusivity.
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Mini case study
Seydou runs a hardware store in Dakar and receives 120 quote requests/month. Without a platform, he quotes by hand in 1 to 2 days and loses half the deals to slowness. With a quote engine and automatic freight, his quoting drops below 4 hours and his quote conversion rate climbs from 25 % to 45 %. On an average ticket of 600 000 FCFA and a 12 % margin, 24 extra won quotes a month represent 1 728 000 FCFA of additional monthly margin.
FAQ
Why is the quote central in construction?
Because 60 % of material purchases go through a quote request before validation, especially on large volumes. A site offering only the classic cart ignores most of the potential revenue.
How do you calculate freight for heavy materials?
Freight is calculated by tonnage and distance, on the order of 5 000 to 15 000 FCFA/km on short trips. Displaying it automatically in the quote avoids disputes and speeds up the decision.
What quoting delay should you target?
Under 4 hours. Beyond that, the customer asks a competitor. A quote engine pre-filled with catalog prices and freight automates this delay.
How much does a B2B construction platform cost in 2026?
Between 1 500 000 and 3 500 000 FCFA depending on modules (quote engine, freight, pro accounts, negotiation). The 8 to 18 % materials margin amortizes the investment over volume.
How do you become a Kolonell referral partner?
Just introduce us to a client. If the project signs, you earn 8 to 15 % depending on the pole, plus 5 % recurring on showcase and e-commerce. Contact us on WhatsApp to get your tracking link.
Let's talk about your project. A construction platform with quotes and automatic freight, or the referral partner program: let's talk. 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.
