Does owning software mean there are no ongoing costs?
No. Hosting, maintenance, third-party services and future changes can still cost money. Ask for the complete cost picture, including support and handover terms. A build price and the cost of running a system are different parts of the decision.
What should the ownership agreement cover?
Clarify ownership and access to code and data, third-party licences, documentation and handover. Ask who controls the relevant accounts, what you can export and how another maintainer would work on the system. The agreed terms should be explicit before committing.
How should we compare a build with subscriptions?
Compare the same period and scope. Include the initial build, recurring hosting and support, third-party services and expected changes. Then compare those figures with your subscriptions. The Bedrock calculator uses editable assumptions to explore a five-year scenario; it is not a quote or a promise of savings.
Is custom software always the better option?
No. A build has an upfront cost and responsibilities after launch. Existing software can be a better fit when it already handles your workflow. Start with the actual workarounds, the value of fixing them and the full cost of each option.