Let's talk about cost, honestly
Bespoke software doesn't come with a shelf price, because no two projects are the same. But “it depends” is a maddening answer, so here's how pricing actually works with us, and what you'll know before you commit to anything.
A clear cost, before you commit
We build around your specific needs, so we won't quote a real price until we know what we're building: that's what the early conversations are for. Once the work is mapped out in the planning stage, you get a clear cost up front. No open-ended bill, no meter running.
Three ways to work together
Fixed-price projects
For most builds we agree a clear scope and a fixed price, so you know exactly what you're paying. Want to add something later? We'll cost it separately and clearly.
Proof of concept first
Not ready for the full commitment? Start small with a low-cost proof of concept, enough to test the idea before you invest in the whole thing.
Ongoing support
Once it's live, support and improvements run on a pay-as-you-go basis, so you've got us on hand without paying for a full-time team.
What moves the number
How much the software needs to do: the features, edge cases and business rules baked in. More to build means more time, and we'll always walk you through that before you commit to anything.
The sharper the picture at the start, the more accurate the quote. If you're still working out the detail, we scope in phases, one clear step at a time, so you're never buying a vague promise.
A new build starts clean. Picking up or extending existing software means understanding decisions someone else made first, which takes time to do properly.
How many systems it needs to connect with: external tools, payment providers, third-party platforms. Each integration adds complexity, especially when documentation is thin.
How quickly you need it. A tighter deadline sometimes means a more concentrated window of work, which affects the overall cost.
Your price is fixed to an agreed scope. If something changes or you want to add to it once the work is underway, we cost it separately and clearly. There are no surprise bills. We'd rather be upfront about what a change costs than absorb it quietly and quietly deliver less.
Not sure exactly what you need yet? Most clients aren't at this stage. Part of what we do in the early conversations is help you work that out, so you know what you're committing to before you do.
The honest first step is a conversation
Tell us what you're trying to solve and we'll give you a realistic sense of cost, free, and with no obligation.
Frequently asked questions
Honest answers to the questions we get asked most about cost.
Why don’t you list fixed prices?
Because no two builds are the same: the right price depends on what you actually need. Once the work is mapped out, you get a clear, fixed cost for an agreed scope before you commit to anything. See how we work.
Will the price change once we’ve started?
Your price is fixed to the agreed scope. If you want to add to it mid-build, we cost that separately and clearly. There are no surprise bills at the end.
Do I have to commit to a full build straight away?
No. You can start small with a low-cost proof of concept to test the idea first, one of the ways we build.
Do you take a deposit, and how is payment structured?
For larger projects we break the work into stages: a deposit up front, then a payment after each agreed deliverable. It varies from project to project, but staging it this way keeps everyone invested, motivated and confident as the build takes shape. We agree it all with you in the planning stage, before anything starts.
Are there ongoing costs after launch?
Usually some: running costs like hosting and any third-party services (for example payments or email). Where we manage these for you, we pass the actual cost through with a small administration fee for handling them. They’re typically modest, and we’re upfront about them before you commit. Ongoing support is separate, and pay-as-you-go.