Software doesn't stop costing money after launch. Here's what ongoing maintenance really looks like.
Types of Maintenance
Corrective (Bug Fixes)
Fixing issues discovered after launch. Expect higher costs in the first few months.
Adaptive (Environment Changes)
Updates for new OS versions, browser updates, third-party API changes, security patches.
Perfective (Improvements)
Performance optimisations, UX improvements, new features based on user feedback.
Preventive (Future-Proofing)
Code refactoring, documentation, addressing technical debt before it becomes critical.
Typical Costs
Industry standard: 15-20% of initial development cost annually for maintenance.
Example: £50,000 project = £7,500-10,000/year maintenance
Cost Factors
- Complexity of the software
- Technology choices (some require more updates)
- Number of integrations
- User base size
- Compliance requirements
Reducing Maintenance Costs
- Invest in quality upfront
- Use well-supported technologies
- Write clean, documented code
- Automate testing
- Plan for maintenance from day one
Need help planning your software project? Contact PYCO IT.