How Does A Mobile App Development Company Estimate The Time To Build An App?

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When clients present a concept for building an app, they typically need to know the timeline and cost associated with bringing the idea to fruition. An estimated figure must be established before a contract is finalized.

Most mobile app development companies in USA offer free cost estimates. The estimate will include the cost and time required for each task. While it may not be possible to get an exact figure for the project's cost in a short amount of time, you can get a rough estimate and use it to assess the developer's capabilities.

The rapid increase in smartphone use has taken digitalism to a whole new level. This has resulted in a raised demand for mobile application development in USA. With more information available, the market for mobile app development companies in USA has become much larger. To make sure the app is successful, the development time needs to be carefully thought out, based on several factors. In this blog, let us learn how mobile app development companies in USA calculate the time it takes to finish an app.

The Calculation Methods Used to Determine How Much It Costs to Create an App

 An estimate of the overall cost of creating an app can be determined by multiplying the estimated number of hours of development by the hourly rate. Many companies supply a rough guess of the expenditure required before development begins. 

Typically, app developers use two main pricing models: 

The Fixed Cost Structure 

This method of calculating app development costs is especially useful for small projects that have a clear goal and timeline. The primary benefit of this method is that it offers complete transparency in terms of cost since you know the total before any development takes place.

Hepto’s Cost Structure

  • Simple app development price tag – $9,000 – $25,000
  • Medium complexity app development price tag – $26,000 – $45,000
  • Complex app development price tag – $50,000+
  • Cost of hiring a US app developer - $90,000 / per year

Time and Resources 

This pricing approach is more flexible than the original plan. It is usually used for large projects where the progress is unpredictable. The cost is calculated based on the developer’s hourly rate and the number of hours worked on the project.

How does an app development company decide how long it will take to create an app's timeline?

The range of mobile applications available today is vast and varied. To make sense of it all, they can be divided into two main categories: 

  • Analogous Apps 
  • Customized Apps

Analogous Apps 

An alternative to building a completely original application is to create one based on the model of an existing app. This process is faster than creating an app from scratch and can be an efficient way to develop a product.

Customized Apps

A custom app is one that is tailor-made to meet a customer's specific requirements, as opposed to a pre-made app found in the app store. Developing this kind of app takes more time and effort than comparable apps as a variety of mobile app development methods are involved.

Timeline for Major Stages of Developing a Mobile App:

The apps we see in app stores like Google Play and Apple’s App Store culminate in a lengthy mobile app development process. Time is needed for each step to be carried out and finished successfully. There are some stages in the development of any mobile app that are standard regardless of which app development company is doing the work. An app development company will often estimate how long it will take to build apps based on how long it takes to complete each phase.

Essential Steps In Creating A Mobile App

Discovery Process

At the start of making an app, the mobile app development company in USA pays close attention to research. After that, the second big step is designing the app. This part usually takes around two weeks and includes sorting out the visual elements and creating wireframes. This is also the time when the design is confirmed.

  • Actions Taken During The Research Phase 
  • User Profiles
  • Wireframes
  • Requirements From The Users
  • Moodboard
  • Mockups

After determining our client's requirements, we will spend a week to two weeks conducting comprehensive market research. Afterwards, we will analyze the technical aspects of the mobile app in detail.

Testing

Testing a mobile application is an essential part of the development process. It is important to test the app on different devices and operating systems, like Android and iOS. Additionally, there are many other types of testing that must be done. Generally, the process of testing can take several weeks to complete.

Deployment

The last step in developing a mobile app is releasing it to the public, which typically takes one to two weeks.

Upkeep and Upgrades

Once a mobile application has been released, the development process is not finished yet. With technology constantly evolving, mobile applications must stay up-to-date in order to keep up. Thus, even after the production of the app is complete, there will be ongoing maintenance and updates required.

The amount of time needed to create a mobile app can vary hugely depending on its complexity and the number of features or functions it has. Therefore, the estimated timeframe for developing mobile applications should merely be seen as approximations.

Final Thoughts

Are you unsure about how long it will take to build an app for your business? 

Hepto Technologies is a leading mobile app development company in USA that can provide you with a free estimate and consultation on the cost, time, and effort required to create a mobile app that meets your specific needs. Get in touch with us now to find out more.