The verdict in three sentences
A custom quote configurator (CPQ) costs EUR 40,000 to EUR 100,000 excl. VAT in 2026 for a manufacturer selling configurable products such as aluminium windows and doors. It cuts quote turnaround from 3 days to 10 minutes and drives pricing errors from 6% to under 1%, which directly protects margin. Against a SaaS CPQ at EUR 80 to EUR 200 per user per month, bespoke wins as soon as product rules are complex and the dealer network must quote too.
Why manual quoting is expensive
A manufacturer of aluminium windows, doors and sliding systems juggles dozens of variables: dimensions, profiles, glazing, RAL colours, hardware, installation options. With 2,500 quotes a year built in Excel by three technical sales reps, each quote takes 45 minutes to 2 hours, and a wrong dimension or option is paid for in remanufacturing.
| Item | Manual process | With custom CPQ |
|---|---|---|
| Average quote turnaround | 3 working days | 10 minutes |
| Entry time per quote | 45 min - 2 h | 5 - 10 min |
| Pricing error rate | 6% | under 1% |
| Average cost of an error (remake, install) | EUR 800 - 2,500 | Marginal |
| Quote conversion rate | 22 - 25% | 28 - 32% |
| Quotes issued by dealers themselves | 0% | 40 - 60% |
| Bill of materials sent to the workshop | Re-keyed | Automatic |
Custom CPQ or SaaS CPQ: 2026 figures
Market SaaS CPQs start fast, but they bill every user, dealers included, and struggle to model the technical constraints of window manufacturing (maximum dimensions per profile, sash weight, glazing compatibility). Bespoke builds those rules in once and for all.
| Criterion | SaaS CPQ | Custom CPQ |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront investment | EUR 15,000 - 40,000 (configuration) | EUR 40,000 - 100,000 |
| Subscription | EUR 80 - 200/user/month | None |
| Annual cost for 3 reps + 40 dealers | EUR 41,280 - 103,200 | EUR 6,000 - 12,000 maintenance |
| ERP integration | EUR 10,000 - 20,000 | About EUR 10,000 |
| Technical business rules | Limited by vendor | Unlimited |
| 2D preview of configured product | Paid add-on | Included depending on scope |
| 5-year cost (order of magnitude) | EUR 231,000 - 576,000 | EUR 80,000 - 170,000 |
The gap comes mainly from user count: once a dealer network uses the tool, per-user subscription becomes the largest cost line.
Detailed budget for a window CPQ
| Building block | 2026 budget (EUR excl. VAT) | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Product rule modelling | 12,000 - 30,000 | 4 - 6 weeks |
| Pricing engine (price lists, discounts, dealer coefficients) | 6,000 - 15,000 | 2 - 3 weeks |
| Configuration UI and 2D preview | 8,000 - 20,000 | 3 - 5 weeks |
| PDF quote generation and e-signature | 4,000 - 10,000 | 2 weeks |
| Dealer portal | 5,000 - 15,000 | 2 - 4 weeks |
| ERP integration and workshop BOM | 10,000 | 3 weeks |
A full project rolls out in 4 to 7 months, with phased go-live by product range.
Mini case study
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Sanne, sales director of an aluminium window manufacturer near Amsterdam, handles 2,500 quotes a year. With a 6% error rate, 150 quotes a year contain an error; if a third are signed, that means 50 errors costing on average EUR 1,500, or EUR 75,000 of annual losses. Her three reps spend 1 h 15 per quote, i.e. 3,125 hours a year, reduced to about 400 hours. For a CPQ at EUR 70,000 plus EUR 10,000 of ERP integration, error reduction alone covers the investment in about 13 months, not counting 2,700 sales hours redirected to prospecting.
FAQ
How much does a custom CPQ cost in 2026?
Between EUR 40,000 and EUR 100,000 excl. VAT depending on product rule complexity and number of ranges. ERP integration adds about EUR 10,000.
Isn't a SaaS CPQ simpler?
It starts faster, but costs EUR 80 to EUR 200 per user per month. With 40 connected dealers, the subscription often exceeds EUR 40,000 a year.
Can dealers quote by themselves?
Yes, through a portal with their own discount coefficients. In window manufacturing, 40% to 60% of quotes can be produced directly by the network.
How long until we are operational?
Allow 4 to 7 months overall, with a first range in production after 10 to 12 weeks.
Does the CPQ send the order to the workshop?
Yes, the validated configuration generates the bill of materials and cutting dimensions, sent to the ERP. This removes re-keying, the source of much of the 6% error rate.
Let's scope your project. Describe your product ranges, annual quote volume and ERP: we will scope the configurator, indicative budget and rollout plan. 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.
