What it costs

Let's talk about cost — honestly

Custom 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.

How we scope a project

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.

The ways we work

Three ways to work together

01

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.

02

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.

03

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 affects the price

What moves the number

01
Scope and complexity

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.

02
Clarity of requirements

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.

03
Fresh build or existing code

A new build starts clean. Picking up or extending existing software means understanding decisions someone else made first, which takes time to do properly.

04
Integrations

How many systems it needs to connect with — external tools, payment providers, third-party platforms. Each integration adds complexity, especially when documentation is thin.

05
Timeline

How quickly you need it. A tighter deadline sometimes means a more concentrated window of work, which affects the overall cost.

On price and scope

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.

Let's talk

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.

hello@smithies.studio · United Kingdom