The verdict in three sentences
When three vendors quote the same app at CAD 50,000 to 175,000, they almost never quote the same scope. Function point analysis measures an application's functional size independently of technology, so each quote can be reduced to a price per point (CAD 600 to 1,300 in Montréal in 2026). An unusually low quote usually hides underestimated testing, acceptance or risk margin, which will come back as change orders.
The method in practice: count what the user sees
The IFPUG method (or its simplified COSMIC variant) counts five element types, weighted by complexity. You count business functions, not lines of code.
| Counted element | Example in a business app | Points (low / average / high) |
|---|---|---|
| External input (EI) | Order creation form | 3 / 4 / 6 |
| External output (EO) | Calculated PDF invoice, accounting export | 4 / 5 / 7 |
| External inquiry (EQ) | Customer search, filtered list | 3 / 4 / 6 |
| Internal logical file (ILF) | Customers, Orders, Products tables | 7 / 10 / 15 |
| External interface file (EIF) | Data read from the ERP or CRM | 5 / 7 / 10 |
An order management app with 8 entities, 25 forms, 15 search screens, 10 exports and 3 interfaces typically weighs 150 to 200 points. Beyond 250 points, it is a structural project that should be split into phases.
From point count to budget
Once size is known, the budget rebuilds in a few lines. The ratios below are 2026 orders of magnitude observed in the Québec market.
| Parameter | 2026 value in Montréal | Budget effect |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per function point | CAD 600 to 1,300 | Basis of the estimate |
| Productivity | 0.8 to 1.5 days per point | Depends on stack and team |
| Senior developer day rate | CAD 650 to 950 | Local agency: low end; large consultancy: high end |
| Testing and acceptance share | 20 to 30 % of development | Often underestimated in low quotes |
| Risk margin | 15 to 25 % | Higher with vague specifications |
| Annual maintenance | 15 to 20 % of build | Include in 3-year total cost |
| Mid-sized app | 80 to 250 points | CAD 48,000 to 325,000 |
Québec's tax credit for e-business development (CDAE) and the federal SR&ED program can offset part of the cost for eligible projects, so ask your accountant before signing.
Comparing three quotes with one grid
| Question to ask each vendor | Healthy answer | Red flag |
|---|---|---|
| How many points or days per feature? | Breakdown by module | Lump sum with no breakdown |
| What share for testing and acceptance? | 20 to 30 % | Under 10 % or not mentioned |
| What risk margin? | 15 to 25 %, explicit | None, or "included" with no figure |
| Who writes the specifications? | Priced scoping workshop | "We'll figure it out as we go" |
| How are new requests handled? | Price per point agreed upfront | Case-by-case change orders |
| What maintenance cost? | 15 to 20 % per year | Not quoted |
Mini case study
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Marc-André, CEO of a technical services SME in Montréal, receives three quotes for a field service scheduling app: CAD 50,000, CAD 98,000 and CAD 175,000. A two-day counting workshop sets the size at 140 points. Per point, the quotes come to CAD 357, 700 and 1,250. The first is below the market floor: no acceptance testing, no risk margin, and changes billed at CAD 850 a day. With just 25 % scope drift, a common scenario, the project would reach 50,000 + 35 days × 850 = CAD 79,750, with no quality guarantee. The second, at CAD 700 per point with explicit 25 % testing and 18 % risk, is the rational choice. Over 3 years at 17 % annual maintenance, its total cost is 98,000 + 3 × 16,660 = CAD 147,980.
FAQ
How much does a custom web app cost in Montréal in 2026?
For a mid-sized app of 80 to 250 function points, budget CAD 48,000 to 325,000, or CAD 600 to 1,300 per point. Add 15 to 20 % a year for maintenance.
Who can count function points?
A project lead or architect trained in IFPUG or COSMIC, in a 1 to 3 day workshop with your teams. An independent count costs about CAD 2,500 to 6,000.
Does the method work with agile?
Yes: count the initial backlog to set the overall budget, then track points delivered per sprint. A stable velocity of 10 to 20 points per two-week sprint is common for a team of 3 to 4.
Why do quotes vary threefold?
Because scope, testing share (0 to 30 %) and risk margin (0 to 25 %) differ. Reducing each quote to a price per point makes those gaps visible.
Should we always pick the middle quote?
No, pick the one whose price per point is consistent with the market and whose assumptions are explicit. A high quote can be justified by security or 99.9 % availability requirements.
Let's scope your project. Send us your specification or competing quotes, and we will count the function points and return a module-by-module estimate (indicative budget CAD 600 to 1,300 per point, scoping in 1 to 2 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.
