The verdict in three sentences
A custom estate-agency platform in Dublin costs between EUR 45,000 and 95,000 in 2026, versus EUR 60 to 150 per user per month for a vertical tool. For an agency under 8 negotiators, the vertical is unbeatable on cost and speed. Custom earns its keep when you need bespoke buyer matching, controlled portal syndication and deep integration with your website and CRM.
What a transaction platform covers
The core covers instructions and property records, an applicant database with automatic matching, multi-portal syndication (Daft.ie, MyHome.ie, Rightmove for cross-border), viewing and offer tracking, then the pipeline to completion. A vertical does all this out of the box; custom makes sense when your matching or reporting rules break the mould.
| Module | 2026 scope | EUR range |
|---|---|---|
| Instructions and catalogue | Sales, lettings, photos | 7,000 - 14,000 |
| Applicants and matching | Buyer matching, alerts | 9,000 - 17,000 |
| Multi-portal syndication | Normalised feeds, returns | 8,000 - 16,000 |
| Transaction tracking | Viewings, offers, sale agreed | 7,000 - 15,000 |
| Vendor portal | Landlord reporting, stats | 6,000 - 12,000 |
| Reporting and commissions | Fees, negotiator leaderboards | 5,000 - 11,000 |
Realistic delivery: 5 to 8 months for a full scope, with syndication usually shipped first.
Four-year TCO: custom vs vertical
Total cost of ownership compares the cumulative vertical subscription with the custom build plus support. 2026 order-of-magnitude figures for one agency, excluding data migration.
| Negotiators | Vertical (EUR 110/user/mo) over 4 yrs | Custom (EUR 70,000 + EUR 600/mo) over 4 yrs |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 21,120 | 98,800 |
| 8 | 42,240 | 98,800 |
| 15 | 79,200 | 98,800 |
| 25 | 132,000 | 98,800 |
| 40 | 211,200 | 98,800 |
The crossover sits around 19 negotiators. A multi-branch group or franchise network reaches it quickly; a single high-street office does not.
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Mini case study
Aoife runs a 3-branch group in Dublin, 16 negotiators. She pays 16 licences at EUR 110/month, or EUR 21,120/year, plus manual exports to her website that tie up an assistant 5 hours a week. A custom platform at EUR 72,000 plus EUR 600/month automates syndication and the site: re-keying vanishes, worth roughly EUR 9,100/year of time returned. Over 4 years the custom route costs about EUR 100,800 versus EUR 84,480 of subscription alone, but with time saved and site integration, payback drops under 3 years.
FAQ
Is multi-portal syndication really automatable? Yes. A normalised feed pushes each listing to Daft.ie, MyHome.ie and cross-border portals and pulls leads back into your database. It is the first module we ship, often in 8 to 10 weeks.
Can the platform connect to our website? Yes, via API: published listings feed your site automatically, with no double entry or desync.
Is buyer matching reliable? Matching on budget, area and criteria fires automatic alerts. Custom adds your own rules (first-time buyer, investor) that verticals ignore.
What support budget should we plan? Expect EUR 500 to 700/month in 2026, covering minor evolutions, portal returns and hosting.
When does it pay off? Around 19 negotiators over four years, or sooner if integrating site and syndication removes re-keying.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your negotiator count, portals and current CRM, and we will frame a scope between EUR 45,000 and 95,000. 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.
