Most London software companies say “full service development.” Then you get the bill. Suddenly testing is extra. Documentation costs more. Hosting isn’t included.
Here’s what you should actually get for your money.
What Standard Software Development Includes
Discovery and planning:
Understanding your requirements through meetings and workshops. Technical specification document. System architecture design. Database schema planning. Technology stack recommendation.
This should always be included. If a company skips discovery, they’re guessing what you need.
Custom development:
Writing the actual code for your software. Frontend user interfaces. Backend logic and APIs. Database implementation. Third-party integrations.
This is the core service you’re paying for.
Testing and quality assurance:
Unit testing. Integration testing. Bug fixing during development. Performance testing. Security vulnerability scanning.
Quality companies include comprehensive testing. Average ones treat it as an optional extra.
Deployment:
Production environment setup. Live deployment. Initial configuration. Launch monitoring and support.
Launch support should be included in your project cost.
Basic documentation:
Technical documentation. User guides. API documentation if applicable. Deployment instructions.
Documentation is not optional. If they charge extra for it, find another company.
Post-launch bug fixes:
30–90 days of free bug fixes for pre-launch issues. Does not include new features or scope changes.
Anything less than 30 days is unreasonable.
What Usually Costs Extra
Ongoing maintenance:
Monthly updates. Security patches. Performance monitoring. Server management. Database optimization.
Typical cost: £500–£3,000/month depending on complexity.
This should be clearly quoted and separate from build cost.
Hosting infrastructure:
Cloud hosting. Server resources. Database storage. Backups. CDN services.
Typical cost: £100–£1,000/month.
Some companies include the first year. Others charge from day one.
Third-party services:
Payment gateways. Email services. SMS services. API access. Analytics tools.
These are ongoing operational costs.
New features after launch:
Anything outside the original specification. Mid-project changes. Additional integrations.
Charged as new project work or hourly rates.
Training beyond basics:
Additional training sessions. Custom training materials. On-site training.
Typical cost: £500–£1,500 per session.
Premium support:
24/7 availability. Guaranteed response times. Dedicated support contact.
Premium support usually costs £1,000–£5,000/month.
Red Flags in Service Agreements
Vague scope of work:
If the contract says “build software” without details, expect extra charges.
Demand a detailed specification.
No testing phase:
If testing is not explicitly included, it will be skipped or billed separately.
Testing should be 15–20% of the project budget.
Unlimited revisions:
Usually means poorly defined requirements and endless delays.
Standard is 2–3 revision rounds per phase.
Hidden hourly rates:
Fixed-price projects with expensive change rates add up quickly.
Get change rates in writing.
Ownership unclear:
If ownership is not explicit, you may not own the code.
You should own all source code, databases, and IP.
No post-launch support:
If the contract ends at launch, expect to pay for every bug fix.
Minimum 30 days free bug fixes should be standard.
Questions to Ask Before Signing
About scope:
What exactly is included? Features, revisions, testing?
About deliverables:
Source code, documentation, designs, database access?
About ownership:
Do you own all IP? Any licensing restrictions?
About changes:
How are changes priced? What is the change request process?
About timeline:
Delivery schedule and delay handling?
About post-launch:
What support is included and for how long?
About payment:
Payment schedule, satisfaction terms, refund policy?
Get everything in writing before signing.
Typical Service Packages
Basic package:
Core development. Basic testing. Deployment. 30-day bug fixes. Basic documentation.
Cost: £15,000–£40,000.
Standard package:
Comprehensive testing. 60-day support. Detailed documentation. One training session.
Cost: £40,000–£90,000.
Premium package:
Performance optimization. Security audit. 90-day support. Multiple training sessions.
Cost: £90,000+.
Maintenance Service Options
Basic maintenance: £500–£1,000/month
Standard maintenance: £1,000–£2,000/month
Premium maintenance: £2,000–£5,000/month
Choose based on business criticality.
What AlgoSemantic Includes
Our standard package:
Discovery, development, testing, security, performance optimization, deployment, documentation, 90-day bug fixes, two training sessions, full IP ownership.
Extra charges:
Maintenance after 90 days, hosting, third-party fees, new features, extra training.
Our pricing:
Clear itemized quotes. No hidden fees. Defined change pricing. Flexible payments.
We’ve been building software in London since 2018 and don’t cut corners.
Get Clear on What You’re Paying For
Before signing, get written confirmation of scope, features, testing, documentation, ownership, support, maintenance, payments, and change handling.
If a company avoids clarity, expect extra charges later.
Need a Clear Software Development Quote?
We provide clear, itemized pricing—no vague promises.
Email: contact@algosemantic.com
Call: +44 7412 808430
AlgoSemantic. The algorithm behind your success.
