The verdict in three sentences
Below 8 to 10 agents, a SaaS platform remains the rational choice: fast onboarding, built-in portal syndication, predictable monthly cost. Beyond 12 to 15 active users, per-seat billing becomes the runaway line item and a custom-built tool amortised over five years often falls below the cumulative SaaS cost. The real trade-off is not the sticker price but the five-year TCO, the data exit cost, and how specific your transaction processes really are.
Packaged SaaS vs build: the real 2026 cost
The trap with real estate SaaS is per-seat billing: painless at 5 agents, a cost centre at 20. Here are the 2026 ballpark figures observed in the Dublin market.
| Line item | Packaged SaaS | Custom software |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | EUR 0 to 1,500 (setup) | EUR 40,000 to 95,000 |
| Monthly cost | EUR 60 to 180 / agent | EUR 350 to 900 (hosting + maintenance) |
| Portal syndication | Included (Daft, MyHome) | To develop or via connector |
| Time to launch | 1 to 4 weeks | 12 to 18 weeks |
| Process customisation | Limited to options | Total |
| Data exit cost | EUR 500 to 3,000 (export, migration) | Nil (you own the database) |
| Code ownership | No | Yes |
Custom only makes sense if your processes fall outside the standard: weighted multi-criteria buyer matching, specific mandate reporting, or multi-branch steering with internal commission rules.
Switch-over threshold by number of agents
The switch-over calculation hinges on one number: cost per seat times number of users, over the amortisation period. At EUR 120 per month per agent, every ten staff represent EUR 14,400 per year.
| Agents | 5-year SaaS cost (EUR 120/mo) | 5-year build cost (65,000 + maint.) | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | EUR 36,000 | ~EUR 101,000 | SaaS |
| 10 | EUR 72,000 | ~EUR 101,000 | SaaS |
| 15 | EUR 108,000 | ~EUR 101,000 | Break-even |
| 20 | EUR 144,000 | ~EUR 101,000 | Build |
| 30 | EUR 216,000 | ~EUR 101,000 | Clear build |
The 5-year build here includes EUR 65,000 of development plus 15% annual maintenance (about EUR 9,750 per year). The break-even sits around 14 to 16 active agents in 2026.
Mini case study
Niall, director of a 3-branch network in Dublin, runs 18 agents on a SaaS at EUR 115 per month per seat, or EUR 24,840 per year. Over five years that is EUR 124,200, excluding a data exit cost estimated at EUR 2,500. A custom tool at EUR 68,000 plus 15% maintenance (EUR 10,200 per year) comes to EUR 119,000 over five years. The gross gap is small, but Niall regains ownership of his database, removes per-seat price-rise risk, and gains weighted buyer matching that, across 18 agents, saves roughly 6 hours per week per agent — nearly 5,600 valued hours a year.
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
FAQ
What does custom transaction software really cost in Dublin in 2026?
Expect EUR 40,000 to 95,000 depending on scope: mandates, matching, calendar, syndication. A first operational module typically ships around EUR 45,000 to 60,000 in 12 to 18 weeks.
From how many agents does building become worthwhile?
The 2026 break-even sits around 14 to 16 active users. Below that, SaaS stays cheaper; beyond 20, custom clearly wins over five years.
Can we keep syndication on Daft and MyHome with a proprietary tool?
Yes, via standardised syndication connectors or direct integration. Budget EUR 5,000 to 12,000 of development to connect the main portals.
What is the data exit cost of a real estate SaaS?
Between EUR 500 and 3,000 depending on mandate volume and export quality. With custom software this cost is nil since you own the database.
Should we plan for annual maintenance?
Yes, budget 15% of the development cost per year, or roughly EUR 6,000 to 14,000, covering fixes, enhancements and security updates.
Let's scope your project. Tell us about your network, your number of agents and your transaction processes for a five-year build vs buy costing. 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.
