Quick answer
The cost of custom software depends mainly on scope: the features you need, the number of users, integrations, design depth and compliance requirements. Fixed-scope pricing keeps it predictable. The quickest way to a realistic figure is to describe your project, users, timeline and features in an instant quote.
What actually drives the cost
Two projects that sound similar can differ enormously in price. These are the factors that move the number most.
- Scope and features: every feature, from user accounts to payments, adds design, build and testing time
- Number of users and scale: more users means more performance, security and infrastructure work
- Integrations: connecting to payment, accounting, CRM or legacy systems takes careful work
- Design: a polished, researched interface costs more than a functional one, and often earns it back
- Compliance and security: audit trails, permissions and data protection add rigour
- Timeline: a compressed schedule usually needs more people at once
Fixed price vs hourly billing
With hourly (time and materials) billing you pay for effort, and the final cost is open-ended. With a fixed-scope price you agree the outcome and the cost up front. Hourly can suit exploratory work; fixed scope suits most business systems because the budget is known before you start.
- Fixed price: predictable, with change handled through agreed scope changes
- Hourly: flexible, but the total can drift
- LOLCorp works to fixed-scope pricing with no open-ended hourly billing and no surprise invoices
Hidden costs to ask about
A fair comparison includes what happens after launch.
- Hosting and infrastructure
- Maintenance, security patching and monitoring
- Third-party licences and usage fees
- Who owns the code, so you are never locked in
- How change requests are priced
How to get a reliable estimate
A good estimate starts with a clear brief. You do not need a specification document. Start with these four things.
- Describe the project in one sentence
- Estimate how many people will use it
- Say when you need it
- List the features you know you need
How LOLCorp prices
We price by scope, agree it in writing, and you own everything we build. Our instant quote generator takes the details above and gives you a realistic range in about a minute, with no sales call required. We then confirm a fixed price after a short discovery conversation.
Compare the contract models in fixed price vs time and materials, write a clear requirements brief to get accurate quotes, and see how to scope an MVP to control the first release. Everything is tied together in the complete guide.
For website projects specifically, read how much a website costs in the UK.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a price without a sales call?
Yes. The instant quote generator asks for a one-sentence description, number of users, timeline and features, then shows a realistic range straight away.
Is the instant quote binding?
No. It is an indicative range. A fixed price is confirmed after discovery, once the scope is clear.
Do I pay for maintenance separately?
Building and maintaining are separate decisions. LOLCorp offers yearly maintenance and fully managed plans if you want us to look after the system after launch.
Ready for a realistic number? Get an indicative price in about a minute, with no sales call.
Get an instant quoteWritten by the LOLCorp engineering team from our experience delivering custom software for UK businesses. This is general guidance, not legal or financial advice.