Frequently Asked Questions
If your question isn't answered here, get in touch — we're happy to chat through any requirement without obligation.
How much does bespoke software cost?
Pricing varies with scope, but here are some useful starting points:
- Command line utilities — from around £100
- Simple Windows programs — from around £200
- Larger or more complex systems — we recommend starting with a written specification (£100), which is fully redeemable against the development cost, so there's no risk in doing it
All development is at Canadian rates, typically 30–40% less than equivalent UK developers. We always provide a fixed-price quote before any work begins, so there are no surprises. Request a free quote and we'll give you an honest estimate with no obligation.
How does working with a Canadian developer actually work in practice?
In day-to-day terms, it works exactly like working with a UK developer — you communicate by email, share documents and screenshots as needed, and we deliver the finished software electronically. There are no physical handoffs that would require us to be in the same room.
On time zones: Canada (Eastern Time) is 5 hours behind the UK in winter and 4 hours in summer. We overlap with UK afternoon hours and typically respond outside those windows when needed. Most clients find this perfectly workable.
How long does a project take?
Again, it depends on the scope. A small utility can be turned around in a matter of days; a larger business system might take several weeks. We'll give you a realistic timeline as part of the initial quote.
We keep you updated throughout the build — you're never left wondering what's happening or where things stand.
What do I need to have ready before contacting you?
You don't need anything formal — just a description of the problem you're trying to solve. The more specific you can be (what you're currently doing, what's wrong with it, what you'd like to be able to do differently), the more useful our initial response will be.
You don't need technical knowledge, and you don't need to know what kind of software you need — that's our job. If you're not sure whether what you're imagining is even feasible, just ask.
Can you maintain or extend software after it's delivered?
Yes. Ongoing maintenance, bug fixes, and enhancements are all part of what we do. Some of our clients have been with us for over 25 years — the software evolves as their business evolves.
We're also happy to take on and extend software you've had built elsewhere, though we'd need to review the existing code first.
How do payments work?
For most projects we take a deposit at the start and the balance on delivery. For larger projects we may agree a milestone-based payment schedule. Everything is agreed upfront and set out clearly before any work begins.
We invoice in GBP for UK clients, so there's no currency conversion to worry about on your side.
What technologies and languages do you use?
For Windows applications and utilities we primarily use C# (.NET). For Android applications we develop in Java and Kotlin. We work with a range of databases including PostgreSQL, MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, and SQLite.
We choose the right tool for the job rather than applying the same technology to every problem.
Can the software integrate with our existing systems?
Often yes — this is something we do regularly. Common examples include reading from or writing to an existing database, importing and exporting files in a specific format, or connecting to a third-party API.
Tell us what systems you're already using and we'll let you know what's feasible as part of the initial discussion.
What's the difference between a command line utility and a Windows application?
A command line utility runs in a terminal window (the Command Prompt or PowerShell on Windows) and typically does one specific thing — processes a file, uploads data, runs a report. There's no graphical interface; you run it, it does its job, and it's done. These are fast to build and well-suited to automated or scheduled tasks.
A Windows application has a proper graphical interface — forms, buttons, menus — and is better suited to tasks where a person needs to interact with the software regularly: entering data, viewing records, printing documents, and so on. It costs more to build but gives you a much more user-friendly experience.
How do I know the software will do what I actually need?
We work hard to understand the requirement properly before we start building. We ask questions, we clarify edge cases, and we make sure we're agreed on what the finished software should do.
Delivery isn't the end — if something isn't working the way you expected, we'll fix it. Over 30 years we've learned that getting this right is the most important part of the job.