Most custom software quotes you'll find online say something like "it depends." And while that's technically true, it's not useful if you're trying to figure out whether a custom build makes financial sense for your business.
Here's how we price projects at MWS — in plain numbers.
The Short Answer
Simple tools (client portals, quote calculators, intake dashboards): $5,000 – $8,000
Mid-range builds (CRMs, invoicing systems, field service platforms): $8,000 – $15,000
Full platforms (multi-module systems, complex integrations): $15,000 – $30,000+
All MWS projects are fixed-price. You get a scope and a number before any work starts. No billing surprises.
Simple Tools: $5,000 – $8,000
Simple tools solve one specific problem. Examples:
- Client portal — clients log in to pay invoices, sign documents, and check job status
- Quote calculator — prospects get an instant estimate based on their inputs
- Intake form + dashboard — leads fill out a form, you manage them in a simple internal tool
- Basic business dashboard — key metrics on one screen, pulling from your existing data
These typically deliver in 3–5 weeks and connect to one or two external services (Stripe for payments, email for notifications).
Mid-Range Builds: $8,000 – $15,000
This is where most small service businesses land. Examples:
- Custom CRM — lead pipeline, contact management, follow-up reminders, deal tracking
- Invoicing & payment system — Stripe-powered invoicing, ACH payments, auto-reminders, full payment history
- Field service platform — scheduling, dispatch, work orders, GPS tracking, customer notifications
- Business operating system — CRM + invoicing + client portal combined into one connected platform
These typically deliver in 4–8 weeks and involve multiple modules working together.
Full Platforms: $15,000 – $30,000+
Larger builds that replace multiple SaaS tools at once or serve an entire company workflow. Examples:
- Multi-location field service platform with dispatch, routing, equipment tracking, and client billing
- White-labeled software product you sell or license to your own clients
- Custom ERP-style system for a manufacturing or logistics operation
These run 8–16 weeks depending on scope.
What Actually Drives the Cost
Features. Every module takes time. A CRM with five pipeline stages is faster to build than one with twelve, plus custom deal scoring, email sequences, and territory management.
Integrations. Connecting to Stripe is fast. Connecting to a legacy system with no API is not.
User roles. A platform with admin, manager, tech, and client roles — each with different permissions — costs more than a single-user tool.
Timeline pressure. Rush projects cost more. Most builds run 4–10 weeks. Cutting that in half requires more resources.
The Real Cost Comparison
Here's what most small businesses miss when they think "SaaS is cheaper":
A field service SaaS at $350/month costs $21,000 over five years — and you own nothing at the end. Prices go up. Features get locked behind higher tiers. If they shut down, you're scrambling.
A custom-built platform at $12,000 is paid off in under three years. After that, it costs you nothing. You own the code. You can modify it. You can hand it to any developer.
That's why most MWS clients say it paid for itself in 12–24 months.
How to Get a Real Number
Fill out our free quote form or call (937) 710-8851. We'll schedule a 30-minute discovery call, understand exactly what you need, and send you a fixed-price proposal.
No fluff. No ballpark ranges. No surprise overages.