Software project estimation and planning backed by experience and AI
Types of estimates we provide
Rough estimate (verbal)
Early in conversations—typically during the first or second meeting—our project managers provide rough estimates based on your initial project scope.
These verbal projections give you a realistic sense of time and cost ranges. Our project managers draw on experience with similar projects to identify where your project is likely to land.
What it’s for: Helping you evaluate if 1902 Software fits your budget and timeline before investing time in detailed planning.
What it’s not: A binding quote or final figure. Rough estimates help you determine if it’s worth proceeding to detailed estimation, not lock in exact costs.
Price estimate (written)
A detailed breakdown of estimated time and cost, organized by task and project phase.
We use AI-powered estimation tools trained on our project data. Our system compares hours spent on similar historical tasks, suggests adjustments based on patterns, and flags potential risks. Project managers review these AI suggestions and apply their judgment to produce accurate, realistic estimates.
What it’s for: Mid-sized projects where you need detailed cost visibility and task-level breakdowns without full project documentation.
Comprehensive project plan
A complete project document that includes:
- Detailed cost estimates broken down by phase and task
- Full scope definition with technical specifications
- Technical considerations and architectural decisions
- Timeline projections with milestones
- Clear expectations between 1902 Software and your team
What it’s for: Complex projects built from scratch or projects requiring 200+ hours. Typically used when multiple stakeholders need alignment on scope, approach, and deliverables.
Our estimation and planning process
For new projects and applications
- Initial discovery meeting – Often with Peter Skouhus, founder, to determine fit and feasibility
- Requirements gathering with project manager – You receive a rough estimate during this meeting. If you proceed, we dive deeper into requirements
- Onboarding interview – We learn about your team, past experiences with vendors, goals, and potential challenges
- Estimate delivery – We prepare either a written price estimate or comprehensive project plan depending on project complexity
For existing system maintenance and upgrades
- Access and review – After initial meetings, we need administrative access to your system: source code, FTP credentials, database access, or relevant APIs. We also offer in-depth technical review services.
- Requirements discussion – We meet to review our findings and discuss your specific needs
- Detailed estimate preparation – Based on system review and requirements, we prepare cost and timeline estimates
- Estimate presentation and refinement – We present estimates in a meeting, answer questions, and refine based on discussion
- Final approval and kickoff – Once you approve, we begin work
How AI improves our software development cost estimation and planning
Pattern recognition across project history
Our estimation tool analyzes decades' worth of project data, comparing your requirements against thousands of completed tasks to identify realistic time ranges.
Risk detection
AI flags potential complications based on technical complexity, integration requirements, or scope ambiguity that project managers should investigate before committing to timelines.
Continuous learning
As we complete projects, our system improves its predictions by learning from actual versus estimated hours, making future estimates more accurate.
Project managers review AI suggestions and apply their judgment. Experience still drives final decisions—AI just makes those decisions faster and more data-informed.
Why accurate project planning matters
Budget confidence
Know what you're committing to before signing contracts
Resource allocation
Plan internal resources, stakeholder time, and launch dates realistically
Scope clarity
Written estimates force conversations about requirements, reducing mid-project surprises
Vendor comparison
Evaluate options with detailed breakdowns, not vague hourly rate promises
Ready to discuss your project?
Whether you need a quick estimate to evaluate feasibility or a comprehensive project plan for a complex build, we’ll match our approach to your needs.
Commonly asked questions
What's the difference between a rough estimate, price estimate, and comprehensive project plan?
A rough estimate is a verbal projection during early meetings to help you evaluate if 1902 Software fits your budget and timeline before investing in detailed planning. A price estimate is a detailed written breakdown of time and cost organized by task and phase used for mid-sized projects where you need cost visibility without full documentation. A comprehensive project plan includes detailed estimates, full scope definition, technical specifications, timeline projections, and clear expectations—typically used for complex projects requiring 200+ hours or when multiple stakeholders need alignment.
How accurate are your project estimates compared to final costs?
Our AI-powered estimation tools analyze decades of project data to compare your requirements against thousands of completed tasks, identifying realistic time ranges and flagging potential risks. Project managers review AI suggestions and apply their judgment based on experience. While no estimate is perfect—scope changes or unforeseen technical challenges can affect final costs—our approach significantly reduces the variance between estimated and actual hours compared to traditional estimation methods.
What information do you need from me to provide an accurate estimate?
For new projects, we need a clear understanding of your requirements, goals, technical constraints, and desired features through discovery and requirements gathering meetings. For existing systems requiring maintenance or upgrades, we need administrative access to review your system—source code, FTP credentials, database access, or relevant APIs. The more detailed information you provide upfront, the more accurate the estimate.
How long does it take to receive an estimate after our initial meeting?
Rough estimates are provided verbally during the first or second meeting. Written price estimates typically take 3-7 business days after requirements gathering, depending on project complexity. Comprehensive project plans for complex builds may take 1-2 weeks as they include detailed technical specifications, architectural decisions, and timeline projections beyond just cost breakdowns.
Are your estimates binding, or can the final cost change?
Price estimates and project plans represent our best assessment based on the information available at the time. If your requirements remain consistent with what we estimated, costs should align closely. If scope changes during development—new features added, integrations that prove more complex than anticipated, or requirements clarified differently than originally understood—we discuss impacts before proceeding. Transparency about scope changes prevents surprise costs.
How does AI actually improve your estimation accuracy?
AI analyzes our project database to identify patterns across thousands of completed tasks, comparing your requirements against similar historical work to suggest realistic time ranges. It flags potential complications based on technical complexity, integration requirements, or scope ambiguity that project managers should investigate. As we complete projects, the system learns from actual versus estimated hours, improving future predictions. Project managers review AI suggestions and apply their judgment—experience drives final decisions, AI makes those decisions faster and more data-informed.
Book a consultation to explore how AI and 1902 Software can transform your next ecommerce project — faster, smarter, and more cost-efficient.