What hidden costs should I expect when developing custom software?
IT project estimation is not just about programming costs—there are many elements that affect the total budget, even if they are not immediately visible. These so-called hidden costs can arise both during development and after the application is deployed.
One of the most common sources of additional costs is changes in requirements during the project. When new ideas or adjustments to functionality emerge during development, they impact both the schedule and the budget. That’s why thorough analysis and planning from the start are so important.
Another factor is integration with external systems—such as payment gateways, CRM, ERP, or analytics tools. Although these may seem simple, each requires customization, testing, and maintenance.
Maintenance costs should also not be overlooked—servers, updates, backups, and monitoring. In many cases, these expenses appear only after deployment, but they are critical for system stability.
Another element is technical support and post-launch development. Even the best-designed system requires regular updates, adjustments to changes in regulations, devices, or partner APIs.
Finally, it’s worth mentioning technology licenses—some components, libraries, or services (e.g., cloud services, maps, AI APIs) may have subscription costs.
In summary, hidden costs are not inherently negative as long as they are planned consciously. A well-managed software house, such as Nugosoft, always presents the client with a complete picture of costs, ensuring that decisions are well-informed and the project remains predictable.
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The price of a web application depends on the number of features, integrations, and technologies used. Typical projects for small to medium businesses range from $4,000 to $20,000, with exact pricing provided after requirements analysis.
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For SaaS applications, React, Angular, or Vue.js are commonly used on the frontend, and Node.js, Django, or Ruby on Rails on the backend. The choice depends on project requirements, integrations, and scalability needs.
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Ready-made solutions save time and costs but may limit flexibility. Building from scratch gives full control but is more expensive and time-consuming. We often take a hybrid approach, using ready components where appropriate.
