Most custom business software we build costs between NZ$10,000 and NZ$80,000. A focused build, with one core workflow and a few user roles, usually sits between NZ$25,000 and NZ$50,000 and takes 8 to 10 weeks. Small tools sit below that. Larger systems with several user types, integrations or AI features sit above it. We price each project after a discovery call, once the scope is clear.
These are typical ranges from our own projects in 2026, not a quote. Prices are in New Zealand dollars and exclude GST.
Typical price ranges
| Type of build | What it usually includes | Typical range (NZD) |
|---|---|---|
| Small tool or automation | One workflow, one or two user roles, light integration | NZ$10,000 to NZ$25,000 |
| Focused build | One core workflow, a few user roles, a database and dashboards, 8 to 10 weeks | NZ$25,000 to NZ$50,000 |
| Larger system | Several user types, integrations, reporting, AI features | NZ$50,000 to NZ$80,000 and up, scoped first |
| Ongoing support | Fixes, small changes and new features after launch | Monthly retainer, scoped to your priorities |
What drives the cost
- User types. Every role (client, staff, admin, broker, investor) needs its own views and permissions.
- Workflows. Each extra process, such as onboarding, approvals or reporting, adds screens, rules and testing.
- Integrations. Connecting to your CRM, accounting software, identity checks or other tools depends on what their APIs allow.
- Data migration. Moving old spreadsheets or systems across takes time, especially if the data needs cleaning first.
- AI features. Document extraction, summaries and search need testing on your real documents, plus a review step.
- Security and compliance. Regulated work, such as finance or personal data, needs extra controls and audit trails.
Why quotes for the same brief vary so much
Two quotes for the same idea can be several times apart. Usually they assume different jobs. One includes discovery, design, testing, data migration, training and handover. The other prices the screens and leaves the rest to you. Before you compare prices, ask each supplier:
- What is included, and what will be billed as extra?
- Who owns the code, the data and the hosting accounts?
- How is the work split into milestones, and what do we see at each?
- What happens when we need a change three months after launch?
- Who actually builds it: the people on the call, or someone else?
How we keep the cost predictable
- Discovery first. We map the workflow before we price, so the quote matches the real job.
- Paid milestones. You see working software at each milestone, as the budget is spent.
- Start with the core workflow. Extras come in later phases, once the first version is in use.
- You own it. You own the system, the data and the workflow logic. There are no per-seat fees to us for your own software.
Custom software or an off-the-shelf tool?
If a SaaS product fits your process, use it. It will be cheaper to start. Custom software makes sense when:
- you pay for a large tool and use a small part of it
- your team works around the tool with spreadsheets
- different people need different views of the same records
- the workflow itself is what makes your business different
We cover the signals in more detail in When Custom Software Beats Another SaaS Seat.
Ongoing costs after launch
- Hosting. Usually a small monthly cost, paid to the cloud provider. It depends on usage.
- Support. Optional. A monthly retainer covers fixes, small changes and new features.
What these ranges look like in practice
A client portal where clients log in, upload documents and see their status is usually a focused build. An internal tool that replaces one shared spreadsheet can be a small build. A platform with investors, clients, advisors and staff all working from the same records, like an investor portal, is usually a larger system built in phases.
Common questions
Do you charge by the hour?
New builds are priced by project and paid in milestones, not by the hour. Work after launch is usually on a monthly retainer, or at an agreed rate for small one-off changes.
Can we start smaller?
Yes. Many projects start with one workflow, then grow once the team is using it.
Do you work with businesses outside Auckland?
Yes. We are based in Auckland and take on projects across New Zealand and Australia. Calls run on Microsoft Teams, and you review working software online at each milestone.
What do we need for a quote?
A 30-minute call about the workflow, who uses it, and the tools you already have. We then send a scoped plan with milestones. Book a scoping call.