Three Practical Ways to Start

These are JMS Dev Lab starting packages for focused small-business projects. Larger platforms, mobile apps, and heavily integrated systems are scoped separately so the quote stays honest.

Replace Your Spreadsheet

From €3,000

3–4 weeks

Turn the spreadsheet, checklist, or manual tracker that runs your business into a secure web application with proper access controls and dashboards.

  • Custom web application
  • User accounts & role-based access
  • Basic reporting & dashboard
  • Mobile-friendly design
  • EU-hosted (GDPR compliant)
  • 30 days post-launch support
Ask If This Fits

Custom Software, Built to Fit

From €12,000

8–12 weeks

End-to-end custom software with complex business logic, multiple integrations, API work, permissions, deployment, and full documentation.

  • Everything in Growth
  • Complex business logic & workflows
  • Multiple system integrations
  • Custom API development
  • Full technical documentation
  • 90 days post-launch support
Sanity-Check the Idea

Ongoing Support & Maintenance

Bug fixes, feature updates, and priority support from the team that built your software.

From €300/month

Realistic Budget Ranges by Project Type

Some projects are a small website. Some are a full software product. This guide keeps those separate so you can spot whether a quote is sensible before you commit.

Project Type Typical JMS Range What That Usually Means
Website or landing page €1,500–6,000 Marketing site, service pages, lead forms, performance/SEO basics, analytics, and clean mobile design.
E-commerce or Shopify site improvements €3,000–15,000 Theme work, product/content structure, conversion improvements, app setup, and light custom logic.
Spreadsheet replacement or internal tool €3,000–8,000 One clear workflow, users/roles, simple dashboard, export, audit trail, and secure EU-hosted deployment.
Automation or integration sprint €2,000–10,000 Connect existing systems, remove copy-paste work, sync data, send alerts, or generate repeatable reports.
Dashboard or reporting system €3,000–12,000 Pull data from one or more sources, clean it, visualise it, and give management a live operational view.
Client portal or multi-role web app €6,000–18,000 Customer login, branded dashboard, document sharing, approvals, notifications, permissions, and admin tools.
Custom Shopify app or operations tool €6,000–25,000+ Shopify admin extensions, checkout or order logic, GraphQL integrations, billing, onboarding, and merchant UX.
Mobile app, SaaS product, or complex platform €25,000+ Native/cross-platform apps, public SaaS, complex workflows, high-scale requirements, heavy QA, and long-term roadmap work.

These are planning ranges, not automatic quotes. If a project is bigger than the range, we will say so early and suggest a phased MVP instead of pretending a full platform fits into a starter budget.

Our Guarantee: Scope Match or You Don't Pay

We agree on a clear scope before work starts. If the delivered software doesn't match the agreed scope, you don't pay the final instalment. The price we quote is the price you pay — no surprise charges, no scope creep invoices, no "we underestimated so you owe more."

Every project includes milestone check-ins so you see working software throughout — not just at the end.

Your LEO May Fund Up to 50%

The Grow Digital Voucher from your Local Enterprise Office can cover 50% of eligible digital project costs, up to €5,000. That means an eligible €6,000 project could cost as little as €3,000 out of pocket. Available to businesses with 1–50 employees, subject to eligibility (including completing a Digital for Business programme).

We can help you understand if your project qualifies. Just ask during our initial conversation.

Custom Software vs No-Code: 3-Year Comparison

No-code tools look cheap upfront. But per-seat pricing adds up fast. Here's what you'd actually pay over three years.

What You Need No-Code DIY
(Airtable/Glide)
No-Code + Expert Custom Build
(JMS Dev Lab)
Spreadsheet replacement
5 users
€2,000–6,000 €5,500–9,000 €4,100–7,100
Client portal
10 clients + 2 staff
€3,600–6,000 €16,000–19,000 €6,400–12,400
Training tracker
20 employees
€6,000–14,000 €12,000–19,000 €6,400–12,400
Niche CRM
jewelry/retail
€3,600–7,000 €25,000–29,000 €12,400–25,400

Indicative 3-year total cost using public no-code subscription pricing and typical expert setup ranges, compared with JMS build fees plus hosting at roughly €30/month. Excludes VAT, major third-party API usage, and optional maintenance retainers.

You own it

No monthly platform fees. No per-seat charges. No vendor lock-in.

It scales for free

Adding more users doesn't increase your costs. Hosting stays at ~€30/month.

GDPR by default

EU-hosted, your data. No US CLOUD Act exposure from third-party platforms.

From First Conversation to Working Software

1

You Describe the Problem

Free, no-obligation call. Tell us what's not working. We'll be honest about whether we can help.

2

We Scope & Quote

We write up exactly what we'll build, how long it'll take, and what it'll cost. Fixed price, no surprises.

3

We Build It

You'll see working software throughout — not just at the end. Regular check-ins, no jargon.

4

You Use It

We deploy, train your team, and provide post-launch support. The team that built it supports it.

No Hidden Extras

Fixed Price

The quote we give is the price you pay. If it takes us longer, that's on us.

EU Hosting & GDPR

Your data stays in Europe. Encrypted, secure, and fully GDPR compliant by default.

You Own the Code

No vendor lock-in. No per-seat licensing. The code is yours, full stop.

Direct Access

You talk to the team building your software. No account managers, no middlemen.

Pricing FAQ

What if my project doesn't fit these packages?

These are starting points, not rigid boxes. Most projects are scoped individually based on your specific needs. The packages give you a sense of what's typical — your quote will be based on what you actually need.

How do payments work?

Typically: 30% upfront, 40% at mid-point (when you see working software), and 30% on delivery. This protects both sides — you never pay for work you haven't seen.

What if I need changes after launch?

Every project includes a post-launch support period (30–90 days depending on the package). After that, you can continue with a monthly support retainer or request changes on a project basis.

Is custom software really cheaper than Airtable or Bubble?

Over time, often yes. Airtable's Team plan is priced per user, so a growing team keeps adding subscription cost. Custom software hosting can stay near €360/year for many small-business systems regardless of team size. At 10+ users, custom typically breaks even within 3–5 years. Plus you own it, there's no platform lock-in, and your data can stay in the EU.

Can I apply for the LEO Grow Digital Voucher?

If your business has 1–50 employees and has been trading for at least 6 months, you may be eligible. The voucher can cover 50% of eligible digital project costs, up to €5,000. You'll need to complete a Digital for Business programme before applying. We're happy to help you understand if your project qualifies.

Not Sure Where You Fit?

The review is free. Tell us what's not working and we'll give you an honest answer — including whether you even need custom software.

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