Cost calculator / Methodology
How the FNA cost estimator works
Transparency matters more than precision with estimates. This page explains exactly how the ranges are produced, what they include, and where they stop being reliable.
What the calculator estimates
It estimates the build cost and delivery timeline for the scope you select: design, development, testing and launch. It is a planning tool, not a quotation, and it deliberately produces a range rather than a single figure.
How ranges are generated
Every selection maps to a minimum and maximum contribution. Those are summed, then adjusted by platform, expected user volume, design depth and timeline preference, and finally widened by a contingency of 5–15% to reflect normal project variance. The "likely" band trims the extremes, because most projects land in the middle rather than at either edge.
What variables are used
Project type, page and screen count, user roles, expected volume, design level, individual features, integrations, data migration, content help, security level, platforms and timeline. Each feature carries its own range because features differ in risk, not just in effort.
Why prices vary between agencies
Mostly because the scope behind the number differs — what is included, who does the design, how much testing is planned, and whether content and migration are counted. A cheaper number often describes a smaller project.
Why this is not a final quote
Requirements surface details that no questionnaire can capture: existing systems, data quality, approval processes, edge cases. A final proposal is produced after those are confirmed, and it replaces this estimate entirely.
How often pricing is reviewed
The configuration is versioned. Every estimate records the version used, so an old estimate can always be explained. The current version is 2026.08.1.
What the estimator excludes
Ongoing hosting, maintenance and support plans; third-party subscriptions and payment processing fees; paid advertising budget; legal, tax or compliance certification; and content beyond the add-ons you select.
How expert review improves accuracy
A consultant reviews the selected scope, challenges anything unnecessary, identifies missing requirements and proposes a phased plan. That conversation typically narrows the range considerably — and often reduces the first phase.
Privacy and data handling
You can use the calculator anonymously; no contact details are required to see your result. If you email your estimate or book a review, your details are stored so we can respond. Your selections may be summarised by our AI to explain the estimate — your name, email, phone and notes are never sent to it.