Three quotes arrived for the same project. One says $4,000 USD. Another says $13,000. The third says $32,000.
All three are for "the same thing."
If this has happened to you, you're not alone. And the problem isn't that vendors are dishonest — it's that they're quoting completely different things because nobody defined precisely what's being built.
This article explains why software quotes are almost always inaccurate, what a serious quote should include, and how to prepare your project so the numbers you receive are actually real.
Why Software Quotes Are Almost Always Useless
When someone requests a software quote with a vague description — "I want an app to manage orders" — every vendor imagines something different.
One assumes it's a simple mobile app with an order list. Another assumes it includes inventory, reports, push notifications, and role-based login. The third assumes integration with the existing accounting system.
Result: three quotes that appear incomparable because, in reality, they are.
The root problem is always the same: trying to price something that isn't defined. And defining a software project with precision requires real technical work — not a 30-minute meeting.
What Almost Every Quote Leaves Out
A software quote that arrives 48 hours after an initial meeting almost always omits:
| What it should include | What it usually omits |
|---|---|
| Detailed list of features | "Implicit" features the client takes for granted |
| Technology architecture | Stack decisions that affect future costs |
| Third-party integrations | External APIs with additional costs |
| User roles and permissions | Access management complexity |
| Environments (dev, staging, production) | Cloud infrastructure and monthly costs |
| Post-launch maintenance | Who fixes bugs after delivery |
| Phased work plan | Dependencies that can delay the entire project |
Each omitted element is a potential source of extra costs, delays, or conflicts with the vendor.
Red Flags in a Quote
Before signing any contract, check whether the quote you received has these warning signs:
🚩 Fixed price without defined scope If the document says "$X for the complete project" but doesn't detail what "the complete project" includes, that price has no value. The vendor can deliver the bare minimum and argue they delivered.
🚩 No breakdown of phases or milestones A well-executed software project has clear phases with verifiable deliverables. If the quote is just a total with no structure, tracking progress is impossible.
🚩 Unrealistic timeline A medium-complexity project that a vendor claims to deliver in 4 weeks is a red flag. Either they don't understand the scope, or they'll cut features to meet the deadline.
🚩 No mention of technologies If the document doesn't specify what technologies will be used, the client has no ability to evaluate whether they're appropriate — or to switch vendors easily if something goes wrong.
🚩 Quote before questions If you receive a price without the vendor asking you detailed technical questions about your project, that price is made up. There's no other way.
Green Flags in a Quote
In contrast, these are signs you're dealing with a serious vendor:
✅ Questions before numbers A responsible vendor needs to understand your project before quoting it. If they ask about users, integrations, critical features, and technical constraints — that's a good sign.
✅ Written scope proposal before the price Ideally, the vendor presents their interpretation of the project before giving a number. That way you can correct misunderstandings before they become problems.
✅ Breakdown by module or phase A quote that breaks down cost by module or phase lets you evaluate what each piece is worth, prioritize if budget is limited, and make informed decisions.
✅ Ranges with clear conditions The best vendors give ranges — not invented exact numbers — and explain what would put the project at the low or high end. That's technical honesty.
Why You Need a Technical Plan Before Quoting
The root of the problem isn't that vendors are bad at quoting — it's that it's impossible to quote well something that isn't defined.
The solution isn't to request more quotes. It's to define the project before quoting it.
This is exactly what the Strategic Blueprint does: a complete technical document that defines what will be built, for whom, with what architecture, and under what constraints — before writing a single line of code.
With a Blueprint in hand, quotes stop being vague estimates and become real prices for a defined scope. All vendors are quoting the same thing. Comparison becomes possible.
What a Software Project Should Cost in Colombia
Ranges vary widely depending on complexity, but as a general reference:
| Project type | Estimated range (USD) |
|---|---|
| Landing page / corporate website | $1,500 – $5,500 |
| Mobile MVP app (one platform) | $8,000 – $22,000 |
| Cross-platform app (iOS + Android) | $14,000 – $40,000 |
| Basic SaaS platform | $16,000 – $50,000 |
| System with complex integrations | $27,000 – $110,000+ |
| Project with ML or AI | $22,000 – $80,000+ |
These ranges don't include monthly infrastructure (servers, databases, third-party services) or post-launch maintenance. They also don't include the cost of the prior technical plan — which in Sigma Dev's methodology represents 8% to 15% of the total development budget, and is the cheapest insurance you can buy.
Before Quoting, Define the Scope
If you're going to request quotes for a software project, do it after you have technical clarity — not before.
That means being able to answer these questions in writing before the first meeting with a vendor:
- Who are the system's users and what does each one need to do?
- What external systems must it connect to (CRM, ERP, payment gateways, APIs)?
- What are the features without which the product has no value?
- What is the available budget and non-negotiable timeline?
- How is project success measured?
If you don't have those answers, the first step isn't to request quotes — it's to build the technical plan.
Want to know how that process works? Tell us about your project — the first conversation is free and with no commitment.