Software development rates

Valid from 19 September 2026 · replaces all earlier price sheets

I build custom web applications for small businesses, associations and self-employed people – from an online shop with a back office to bookkeeping, document management and industry-specific solutions. The software runs in the cloud, on my server or on your own. You have one fixed contact person from the first idea to daily operation, with no detours through project managers or call centres.

1. The principle: one rate for everything

MHWE Services is a one-person business with a low cost structure. The rates on this page are calculated fairly – in line with the market, transparent, without a surcharge for overhead that simply does not exist here.

There is a single hourly rate for everything: consulting, concept, development, design, servers, support and training. No separate rates and no flat fees that would need explaining afterwards – you pay for the time a piece of work actually took. The same applies to later extensions and to day-to-day support.

2. Hourly rate and billing

The minimum charge covers the work that arises even for a short task: taking in the request, opening the system, checking the change and recording it. A twenty-minute change therefore costs half an hour, a fifty-minute one three times 15 minutes.

Travel allowance

Staggered by distance from Ostermundigen, as a flat amount instead of per-kilometre billing.

The allowance covers the journey there and back and is charged once per job. For remote work it does not apply – and since almost everything can be done remotely, that is the normal case. Urgent work outside usual hours by arrangement, with no surcharge.

3. How a project runs

Every project runs in six steps. After each stage you see the current state and decide how to continue.

4. Guide figures by project size

The figures below come from completed projects, converted to the hourly rate. They are there to help you place your own plan in the right order of magnitude – what counts is the written estimate for your project.

What drives the effort most: the number of user roles, payments and invoices, interfaces to existing systems, and data that has to be taken over from an old system. What lowers it: clear requirements, one contact person on your side, and starting from a proven base solution.

5. A faster start with proven base solutions

Many requirements are already covered by my finished solutions. I adapt them to your business instead of starting from scratch – that saves up to 70 % of the time and therefore of the cost. The figures below are the effort for setting things up with your content, accounts and settings.

With an adapted base solution you receive the right to use it in your business; the source code on request. Ongoing operation and further changes by effort.

6. Guide figures for individual building blocks

These building blocks appear in almost every project – on their own or combined, in a new application or added to an existing one. The figures apply to the standard version.

7. Operation, maintenance and support

I keep your application up to date, secure and available – billed by effort like everything else. There is no subscription and no minimum purchase: what does not come up is not charged. The figures below show the effort you can expect per month.

Faults are fixed by effort, with a minimum of 30 minutes. I work through requests in order; urgent cases by arrangement. Mistakes in my own work are fixed free of charge for three months after going live. I work on my own and therefore make no promises I cannot keep – no 24/7 standby and no guaranteed response time.

8. Costs charged directly by providers

Besides my work there are costs for running the application itself. These are billed to your account and do not pass through me. Where I pay them in advance, I list them separately and without a mark-up.

9. Running it on your own server

The application can also run at your place: in the office, in your data centre or at your hosting provider. That is worthwhile if data must not leave the building or if you already have your own infrastructure.

Hardware, third-party licences and the hosting provider's costs are borne by the client. I need secured remote access.

10. Example: online shop with back office

To make the figures tangible, here is a real calculation: an online shop with catalogue, checkout, customer accounts, invoices, finances, online payment, e-mail client, data backup and manuals. On the left built from scratch, on the right the same scope based on my base solution.

11. Terms

• Quotation: The first meeting (up to 1 hour) is free. Every project is based on a written estimate with a description of the work. A detailed specification document is billed by effort; if you place the order, half of it is credited back.
• Billing: By actual effort at CHF 90.– per hour, at least 30 minutes per job, then in 15-minute steps. You receive a breakdown of the hours worked, payable within 30 days.
• Larger projects: Part invoices per stage, usually monthly or at interim acceptances.
• Changes: Wishes beyond the estimate are estimated in advance and only carried out with your approval. If a task turns out cheaper than estimated, I charge less.
• Warranty: Faults are fixed free of charge for 3 months after going live.
• Rights: For new developments you receive the source code and an unrestricted right of use. For adapted base solutions you receive the right to use them in your business, with the source code on request.
• Your data: You can export it in full at any time. You are not tied to me.
• Data protection: Data is processed under the Swiss Federal Act on Data Protection (FADP). A data processing agreement is available on request. See also the privacy policy.
• Prices: All figures in Swiss francs, excluding VAT (I am not liable for VAT) and excluding material costs, which are listed separately. This price list is not binding; what counts is the individual quotation, valid for 30 days.

12. Frequently asked questions

Arrange a first meeting

Tell me what you have in mind. You will receive an assessment with a cost range, with no obligation – the meeting is free up to one hour.

MHWE Services Supports · Bachstrasse 42 · 3072 Ostermundigen (Bern) · Switzerland