Blog · Decisions · · 3 min read

How much does custom software cost?

There’s no magic price list. Cost follows scope, risk, and continuity — and you can get order-of-magnitude in the first conversation.

By Will Fortes · Fortes Tech

The #1 question in almost every briefing. Honest answer: it depends — but “it depends” without criteria is a dodge.

What moves the price most

  • Critical flows (not “pretty page count”).
  • Integrations (ERP, payments, WhatsApp API, legacy).
  • Hidden business rules.
  • Timeline pressure.
  • Who maintains after go-live.

Order-of-magnitude guidance

Focused landing: days to a few weeks. Site with flows: several weeks. Systems/apps in phases: weeks to months. You’re paying for reduced risk and software that continues.

How to brief for a useful proposal

  1. What hurts today (real example).
  2. What already exists.
  3. Who uses it and how often.
  4. What must ship in delivery one.
  5. What can wait for phase two.

At Fortes Tech, ~30 minutes is enough to say if it fits, the range, and the next step.

Quick answers

Do you bill hourly?

I prefer phased scope with a clear deliverable. Pure hourly often incentivizes endless projects.

Is there a retainer?

Hosting/tools separate. Ongoing evolution can be a package — agreed at close, not hidden.

Want to apply this to your business?

About 30 minutes to align the problem and next step — no commitment.