Software project scoping and planning backed by experience and AI
How we work
Types of quotes we provide
Ballpark indication (verbal)
What it’s for: Helping you decide whether 1902 Software fits your before investing time in detailed scoping.
Fixed-price quote (written)
Comprehensive project plan
A complete project document that includes:
- Cost breakdown 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 of significant scale where 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. The scope is discussed in detail. If your project needs a dedicated scoping and planning phase before a fixed price can be confirmed, we agree this with you upfront.
- Onboarding interview. We learn about your team, past experiences with vendors, goals, and potential challenges.
- Quote delivery. For straightforward work, we prepare a fixed-price quote based on the agreed scope. For larger or more complex projects, we first prepare a comprehensive project plan. The project plan itself is delivered at a fixed price that you approve before planning work begins. Once the plan is complete, you receive a separate fixed-price quote for the full development.
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.
- Fixed-price quote preparation. Based on the system review and defined requirements, we prepare a fixed-price quote with a clear scope and timeline.
- Quote presentation and refinement. We present the quote in a meeting, answer questions, and refine the scope based on discussion.
- Final approval and kickoff. Once you approve, we begin work
How AI improves our fixed-price scoping
We combine project manager experience, advanced AI tools, and decades of historical project data to assess task complexity accurately. This is how we are able to commit to firm, fair fixed prices, and to absorb any unexpected effort without passing the cost back to you.
Why accurate scoping matters
Price certainty
You know the exact price before signing, and that price does not change.
Resource allocation
Plan internal resources, stakeholder time, and launch dates against a fixed budget.
Scope clarity
Written scope force the right conversations about requirements early, reducing mid-project surprises.
Vendor comparison
Evaluate options with detailed fixed-price breakdowns, not vague hourly rate promises.
Ready to discuss your project?
Whether you need a fixed-price quote for a single task or a full project plan for a complex build, we will assess your requirements and give you a clear fixed price before work begins.
Commonly asked questions
How do you calculate fixed price?
We use a combination of our senior architects’ experience, advanced AI estimation tools, and historical data from similar projects. This allows us to accurately assess the complexity of the task and provide a fair, firm price upfront.
What if I want to change the scope after approving the fixed price?
We will provide a new fixed-price quote for the additional scope. You will always know the cost of any changes before we proceed.
Why are meetings still billed hourly?
Fixed pricing requires a known, predictable scope. Meetings and consultations are open-ended by nature, so it is fairest to both parties to bill strictly for the time used.
What is estimation work and why is it hourly?
Estimation work is done when we need to research and plan a solution before we can define scope and set a fixed price. This estimation and planning work is billed hourly. Once scope is defined, the actual development is quoted at a fixed price.
Why is emergency support still billed hourly?
When a critical issue occurs, our priority is to fix it immediately. The scope of work for fixing an emergency is rarely obvious at the outset, which means we cannot quote it at a fixed price before starting. Stopping to scope, quote, and wait for approval wastes time while your business is affected. Emergency troubleshooting is billed hourly so we can act instantly.
Is AI writing all my code?
No. AI is one of many tools our developers use to work more efficiently. Our experienced team remains responsible for the direction, quality, and delivery of your projects. AI assists the process but does not replace the expertise and judgment of our people.
Book a consultation to explore how AI and 1902 Software can transform your next ecommerce project — faster, smarter, and more cost-efficient.