Software Development Pricing & Engagement Models

We don't publish a fixed price list, because a project's real cost depends entirely on its scope. But that's not a way of avoiding the question. Here's how we actually structure pricing, what drives cost up or down, and rough ranges to help you plan before a real conversation.

How We Structure Engagements

Fixed-price works well when scope is genuinely well-defined upfront: a specific integration, a defined feature set, a clear deliverable. You know the total cost before work starts, and we carry the risk of estimation.

Time-and-materials fits better when the project is likely to evolve, such as a longer engagement, an MVP where requirements will shift after user feedback, or ongoing work like a dedicated development team. You pay for actual work done, with more flexibility to adjust direction as you learn.

Most projects that start fixed-price for an initial phase move to time-and-materials for ongoing iteration once the first version is live, because locking in a fixed price for open-ended future work usually isn't in either side's interest.

What Actually Drives Cost

check_circleIntegration complexity: connecting to existing systems (an EHR, a legacy ERP, industrial equipment) almost always costs more than building the same feature against a clean API.
check_circleCompliance requirements: healthcare, fintech, and similar regulated spaces need more design and testing rigor upfront, which shows up in cost.
check_circleData readiness: for AI and data engineering work specifically, messy or scattered source data adds real time before any model or pipeline work can start.
check_circleTimeline pressure: compressing a realistic timeline usually means more people working in parallel, which increases cost even if total effort is similar.

Rough Ranges, for Planning Purposes

These are general planning ranges based on typical project scope in the industry, not a quote. Treat them as a starting point for budgeting conversations, not a commitment.

Project type	Typical range
Focused feature or integration (single service, defined scope)	Smaller end of the range, weeks not months
Mid-sized custom application or MVP	Moderate range, several months
Multi-service platform, complex integration, or ongoing dedicated team	Larger range, ongoing engagement

We're intentionally not attaching specific numbers to this table. Real ranges vary a lot by region, team composition, and the specific factors above, and a number posted here without your actual scope behind it would be more misleading than helpful.

Common Questions

Why can't you just give me a number right now? expand_more

Because a number without a real scope behind it is a guess, and guessed quotes are how projects end up over budget. During Discovery, we'll give you a concrete estimate based on your specific requirements.

Is there a minimum project size? expand_more

Not a hard minimum, but very small, one-off requests are often better served by a freelancer than a full team engagement, and we'll tell you honestly if that's the case for your project.

What's included in an estimate? expand_more

A breakdown of scope, approach, and timeline, with enough detail that you understand what you're paying for and why (not a single lump sum with no explanation).

Want a real number instead of a range?

Tell us about your project and we'll walk through a concrete estimate.

Talk to Us