How Much Does Real Estate App Development Cost in the UK

When ordering food and shopping for clothes is very convenient, finding a property has become easy and simple.

Looking for a property used to mean searching through newspaper ads, visiting multiple estate agents, and spending weekends hopping from one house to another. But today, most people start their property search on their phones.

Whether you are buying, renting, or selling, real estate apps have made the entire process quicker and easier.

Think about it—would you instead scroll through hundreds of listings from home or spend hours travelling to different locations just to check out properties that may not even meet your needs? Real estate apps allow users to search for properties, view images, compare prices, schedule visits, and even take virtual tours—all in one place.

As more people use apps to search for properties, many businesses are investing in real estate app development. But one of the main questions is: How much does it cost to build a real estate app in the UK?

The cost depends on various factors, so if you want to know the real estate app development cost in the UK and the factors that affect the total cost or just want to gain some information regarding this topic, this guide is for you.

This guide will help you understand the costs involved, the key factors that influence pricing, and how you can optimise your budget.

Importance of Having an App for Real Estate Businesses

Having a real estate app is a must, not a luxury. If you want to build an app based on your new business ideas, you will need an app to attract more customers and grow your business. More people use their phones for daily tasks, and an app can help real estate businesses stand out.

Let’s look at why having an app is so important for real estate businesses.

1. Convenience for Clients

Imagine browsing through hundreds of properties, book viewings, or contact an agent, all from your phone. That is the ease a real estate app provides.

Clients don’t have to visit the office or spend time calling different agents. They can see property listings, ask questions, and even schedule viewings directly through the app.

This makes things easier for customers, enhances the customer experience, and helps businesses build a loyal customer base.

2. Increased Visibility

With a real estate app, your business is available to potential clients all day, every day. The app makes it easy to find your business anytime and anywhere.

Users don’t need to search online for property information—they can simply open the app to find listings and updated details. This constant availability increases brand awareness and helps people remember your business, especially when they are ready to make a move.

3. Smooth Communication

One of the biggest benefits of having a real estate app is that it makes communication between buyers, sellers, and agents quick and easy.

Features like instant messaging, notifications, and in-app contact forms make it easier to communicate and act quickly, whether to schedule a viewing, negotiate prices, or answer questions. This instant communication improves customer satisfaction and increases the chances of closing a deal.

4. Real-Time Updates

In real estate, timing is everything. Properties can be sold or rented within hours of listing, and prices can change every day. An app helps you give users real-time updates on new listings, price changes, and status updates so they don’t miss any opportunities.

Notifications about price drops, new properties, or upcoming open houses keep clients interested and help them take action quickly.

5. Competitive Edge

There are many benefits of mobile apps for businesses, especially for those with real estate. The real estate market is very competitive, and having an app gives you an advantage over businesses still using old methods like websites or print advertising.

Offering an app shows that your business is modern, tech-savvy, and focused on giving the best experience to customers. This can attract younger clients, who are more likely to engage with businesses that offer mobile solutions.

Average Real Estate App Development Costs in the UK

The real estate app development cost in the UK can vary based on many factors, such as the app’s complexity, the features you require, the development team's experience, and the project's overall scope.

However, the average real estate app development cost is around £10,000 – £100,000+. Factors like design, platform choice (iOS, Android, or both), and backend infrastructure can also affect the total development cost.

Also, hiring a UK-based real estate app development company or team is more expensive than outsourcing to countries with lower labour costs.

If you are on a budget, you can start with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), which includes core features and can be expanded later. You can ensure a smooth user experience if you invest in high-quality development, which is essential for customer retention and business growth.

Below is a table of average costs to help you understand what to expect.

It is important to note that the development timeline for these apps can vary, depending on their complexity. Basic apps may take 3 to 6 months, while advanced or high-end apps can take 6 months to a year to develop.

The ongoing maintenance costs, usually 15-20% of the initial development cost, should also be factored into your budget.

Types of Real Estate Apps and Their Cost

Real estate apps come in different types, each designed to meet the needs of various business models and users. The cost of developing a real estate app depends on the type you want to build.

Here is a simple overview of the different types of real estate apps and their costs:

1. Property Listing Apps

Cost Range: £10,000 to £25,000

Property listing apps are the most common and simple real estate apps. These apps allow users to browse through properties, filter by different options, and view details such as pricing, location, features, and photos. These apps are usually easy to use and don’t require complex features.

Key Features: Simple property listings, search filters, and basic property details (photos, prices, contact information).

2. Real Estate Marketplace Apps

Cost Range: £25,000 to £60,000

Marketplace apps are made to connect buyers and sellers. These apps allow users to list properties, send inquiries, and negotiate prices directly.

The app may also include features like messaging, payment integration, and user profiles. Marketplace apps require more development effort and a strong backend.

Key Features: User profiles, advanced search features, in-app messaging, payment processing, and real-time notifications.

3. Property Management Apps

Cost Range: £20,000 to £50,000

These apps are made for property managers or landlords to track tenants, payments, and leases. They may also offer features like maintenance requests, bill payments, and tenant communications. These apps usually come with a comprehensive admin panel for managing everything.

Key Features: Lease management, payment gateways, maintenance tracking, tenant management, and notifications.

4. Real Estate Investment Apps

Cost Range: £35,000 to £70,000

Another type of real estate app is the investment app. Investment apps help users evaluate real estate investment opportunities.

They may include tools like calculators, tax estimators, and market analysis to help investors make the right decision. These apps may also offer property valuation tools, portfolio tracking, and risk analysis.

Key Features: Investment calculators, market trend analysis, property valuation tools, and portfolio management.

5. Virtual Tour Apps

Cost Range: £30,000 to £80,000

Virtual tour apps are becoming more popular in real estate because they allow users to explore properties through 3D walkthroughs or VR (virtual reality) tours.

These apps give a realistic experience and help buyers view properties remotely. The development of these apps requires specialised skills, like 3D modelling and VR technologies.

Key Features: 3D models, virtual tours, panoramic views, and detailed property displays.

Essential Features of a Real Estate App and Their Cost Impact

When developing a real estate app, it is necessary to understand which features are essential and how they impact the overall real estate app development cost in the UK. Let’s break down some of the most common features and their cost impact in more detail.

1. Property Search & Filters

Cost Impact: £5,000 to £10,000

Whether a real estate website or app, a key feature of any of them is property search, which allows users to filter listings based on criteria such as location, price, number of bedrooms, and amenities.

Adding advanced search options, like sorting by different factors or showing results based on the user’s location, can increase the app’s development time and cost.

2. User Profile & Authentication

Cost Impact: £2,000 to £5,000

User profiles allow buyers, sellers, and agents to register, log in, and manage their information. The authentication process can include email verification, social media logins, or multi-factor authentication, which makes the app safer.

Creating a strong user profile system can increase the development cost but helps make the app more personalised and engaging.

3. Map Integration & GPS Functionality

Cost Impact: £3,000 to £7,000

Integrating map services (Google Maps) is an essential feature for showing the exact location of properties. GPS features also allow users to search for properties near their current location, which makes it easier to use the app.

However, the cost can increase if you add additional map features like street view or 3D view functionality.

4. Push Notifications

Cost Impact: £2,000 to £4,000

Push notifications are essential for keeping users engaged. Whether it is about new listings, price changes, or reminders for schedule viewings, push notifications help businesses stay on users' minds.

For example, a user will receive a notification about a new property listing that matches their search preferences or a price drop on a property they have saved.

5. Payment Gateway Integration

Cost Impact: £5,000 to £10,000

If your app allows users to make payments for booking fees, deposits, or transactions, you will need an effective payment gateway development. It is essential to integrate this feature to ensure safe and secure payment processing.

Using popular payment gateway options like PayPal or Stripe will add to your development costs but ensure a smooth transaction process for users.

6. Virtual Tours & 3D Property Views

Cost Impact: £10,000 to £30,000

Virtual tours and 3D property views are becoming must-have features for high-end real estate apps. This feature requires specialised tools like 3D modelling and VR technology, which can increase both the development time and costs.

7. Admin Panel & Analytics

Cost Impact: £5,000 to £10,000

An admin panel enables app owners to manage listings, users, payments, and more. Including detailed analytics and reporting features in the app will add value to the app but will also lead to increased development costs.

The more complex the admin features (e.g., multi-level admin access, advanced analytics), the higher the cost.

Factors Affecting the Cost of Real Estate App Development

The real estate app development cost in the UK is influenced by many key factors. Understanding these elements will help you budget effectively.

Here are some factors to look out for that can impact the total development costs.

1. App Complexity and Features

The complexity of your real estate app plays an essential role in determining the total development cost.

A simple app with basic features like property listings, search filters, and user profiles will cost less than a more advanced app with features like AI recommendations, virtual tours, and live chat.

The more features the app has, the longer the development process, which means higher costs. If you want a feature-rich app, be ready to spend more time and money on development.

2. UI/UX Design

User experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design are important for the success of a real estate app. A well-designed app helps users navigate the app easily and find what they need quickly.

Custom designs with animations, interactive features, and attractive layouts can increase development costs.

However, investing in quality design can boost user engagement and lead to higher conversion rates, making it a valuable investment.

3. Development Team Location

The location of your development team also affects the real estate app development cost in the UK. Hiring developers in the UK can cost more than outsourcing to places like Eastern Europe or South Asia.

However, working with local developers makes communication easier, ensures the app follows UK property laws and helps meet local user needs. Outsourcing can lower costs, but it may come with challenges like time zone differences, cultural issues, and quality control.

4. Platform Choice (iOS, Android, or Both)

You have to decide whether you want to build your app for iOS, Android, or both, as it will impact the real estate app development cost in the UK.

If you want to create separate apps for iOS and Android, the development cost will increase because it will require the developer to make a separate codebase for the different platforms, which will need more time and, hence, the increased cost.

However, using cross-platform app development frameworks like Flutter or React Native allows you to build a single codebase that works on both platforms, which reduces time and cost. Native apps perform better, while cross-platform apps are affordable and faster to develop.

5. Third-Party Integrations

Many real estate apps need to integrate with third-party services, like Google Maps for location, payment gateways for secure payments, and AI chatbots for customer support.

Each integration makes the development process more complex, which increases the cost. Some services also charge licensing fees, adding to the budget. Choosing integrations that improve the app without driving up costs too much is important.

6. Backend Infrastructure and Database Management

A real estate app needs a strong backend to store property data, manage user profiles, and handle transactions safely.

Using cloud services like Amazon Web Services (AWS) or Google Firebase can help the app grow, but they come with ongoing costs.

Backend development also involves setting up databases and APIs and managing servers, which need skilled backend developers. A good backend is key to ensuring a smooth user experience.

7. Security and Compliance

Real estate apps handle sensitive user data, like personal information, financial details, and property-related documents. Following data protection laws, such as GDPR in the UK, is essential.

Security features like encryption, multi-factor authentication, and fraud detection make the app safer but also add to the development costs.

However, these features are needed to protect user data and build trust. Not investing in security can lead to legal problems and affect your reputation.

8. Maintenance and Updates

App development doesn’t stop after launch. Regular updates, bug fixes, and security updates are needed to keep the app functional and secure.

The app maintenance cost depends on the app's complexity and how often updates are required.

Businesses should plan for ongoing costs, either monthly or yearly, because skipping updates can cause performance issues, security risks, and reduced user engagement.

Cost Breakdown by Development Stage

Developing a real estate app involves multiple stages, and each stage requires time, resources, and skilled professionals. Here is a breakdown of the cost by development stage.

Planning & Research

Cost range: £5,000 – £15,000

The first stage involves market research, competitor analysis, and defining the app’s core features. During this phase, developers and business owners work together to decide the app’s features, target audience, and goals.

This step ensures the development process is structured and meets market demands. Investing in proper research prevents costly revisions later.

UI/UX Design

Cost Range: £10,000 – £25,000

This stage is very essential because it helps improve user experience and engagement. It involves following a proper UI/UX roadmap and creating a well-designed real estate app that includes wireframing, prototyping, and finalising the visual elements.

Custom designs, animations, and easy-to-use layouts can cost more but increase user retention. If your app design is not good or looks appealing, it can drive users away, making it essential to invest in good design.

Frontend & Backend Development

Cost Range: £30,000 – £100,000

The frontend involves designing the user interface, while the backend handles data storage, processing, and security. This stage involves coding, integrating APIs, and setting up databases.

The more complex the app, the higher the real estate app development cost in the UK, as advanced features require more development time and expertise.

Third-Party Integrations

Cost Range: £10,000 – £30,000

Adding external services like Google Maps for location, Stripe or PayPal for payments, and AI chatbots for customer support increases the cost. Each integration needs to be customised to work smoothly within the app, which takes extra development time and effort.

Testing & Quality Assurance

Cost Range: £5,000 – £20,000

Before launching the app, thorough testing is necessary to identify and fix bugs. Testing ensures the app works effectively on different devices, improves security, and enhances user experience.

Skipping this step can cause performance issues and negative reviews, which can affect the app’s success.

Recommended Reads: Why is a Quality Assurance Tester Needed on a Software Development Team

Deployment & Launch

Cost Range: £3,000 – £10,000

The next stage is the app’s deployment and launch. When submitting your app to the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, you will need to pay the required fees to ensure your app follows their rules.

App developers improve the app’s performance, ensure it meets platform guidelines, and set up marketing strategies for launch. A smooth launch process helps them gain initial traction.

Also Read: How Much Does it Cost to Put an App on the App Store?

Maintenance & Updates

Cost Range: £1,000 – £5,000 per month

After launch, the real estate app will need regular monitoring, security updates, and new features. Maintenance ensures the app remains updated and performs efficiently, which helps protect it from downtime or security risks.

Platform-Specific Costs: iOS vs. Android

The choice between developing for iOS, Android, or both impacts development time, cost, and market reach. The decision between them depends on the target audience, budget, and business goals.

iOS App Development

Cost Range: £30,000 – £100,000

iOS apps are usually faster to develop because Apple devices have fewer variations than Android. Apple’s strict App Store guidelines mean apps must meet high-quality standards. While iOS users often spend more on paid services, focusing only on iOS may limit your audience reach.

Android App Development

Cost Range: £35,000 – £120,000

Developing for Android requires more effort because there are many different devices and screen sizes. Google Play has a more flexible approval process, but creating an app that works effectively on multiple devices takes time.

Android has a larger global audience, making it a good option for businesses wanting to reach more people.

Cross-Platform Development

Cost Range: £50,000 – £150,000

Cross-platform development allows a single codebase to work on both iOS and Android, which reduces the cost compared to building separate native apps. However, cross-platform apps may not perform as well as made specifically for iOS or Android.

Hidden Costs in Real Estate App Development

When budgeting for a real estate app, most businesses focus on the obvious costs like design, development, and deployment. But what about the hidden costs?

These unexpected expenses can impact your budget, often catching business owners off guard. Below are some of the most common hidden costs associated with real estate app development in the UK.

App Store and Play Store Fees

The first hidden cost you should know about is the charges for putting your app on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Publishing an app requires Apple’s £99 annual fee and Google Play’s one-time £25 fee, plus 30% commission on in-app purchases.

These costs should also be considered, especially for apps generating revenue through subscriptions or transactions.

App Maintenance and Updates

Estimated Cost: £5,000 - £20,000 per year

After launch, you will need regular updates to fix issues, improve security, and add new features. Without maintenance, your app could become outdated, which can affect the user experience and lead to security risks.

Server and Hosting Costs

Estimated Costs: £100 - £1,000 per month

Another hidden cost to look out for is the server and hosting costs. Your app needs a server to store property listings, user data, and images. If you expect high traffic, you will need a strong and scalable hosting solution to handle the traffic.

Third-Party Integrations

Estimated Cost: £500 - £5,000 per year

Most real estate apps use third-party services for added functionalities like:

🔘Google Maps API for location services

🔘Payment gateways (Stripe, PayPal) for transactions

🔘AI-based property recommendations

🔘CRM tools for real estate agents

These services often come with recurring fees based on API usage. However, they help enhance app functionality.

Security and Compliance Costs

Estimated Cost: £3,000 - £10,000 per year

Data security is essential, with users sharing personal details like IDs, payment information, and addresses. You will have to comply with GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), which can require encryption, user content management, and regular security checks.

Marketing and User Acquisition

Estimated Cost: £10,000 - £50,000 per year

Even the most well-designed app won’t succeed without proper marketing. You will need a budget for:

🔘App Store Optimisation (ASO) to improve search rankings

🔘Paid Ads (Google, Facebook, Instagram)

🔘Influencer & Affiliate Marketing

🔘Referral and Reward Programs

The best marketing strategy ensures people actually download and use your app.

Customer Support & Chatbot Chats

Estimated Cost: £5,000 - £15,000 per year

A real estate app requires customer support, whether through live chat, chatbots, or call centres. If you plan to offer 24/7 assistance, you should know there will be additional costs. Customer support is required to improve customer satisfaction and retention.

How to Reduce the Cost of Real Estate App Development?

Building a real estate app can be expensive, but there are ways to reduce costs if you are tight on budget and still want great quality. Here are some strategies to reduce the real estate app development cost in the UK.

🔘Define Clear Requirements from the Start: Unclear goals can cause unnecessary changes and increased app-making charges. Clearly define the app’s main features, target audience, and business model before starting development to avoid expensive revisions later.

🔘Prioritise Essential Features: Instead of building a feature-rich app initially, you can focus on essential features like property listings, search filters, and user profiles. You can add advanced features later in future updates.

🔘Choose Cross-Platform Development: Consider developing a single app for both iOS and Android using frameworks like Flutter or React Native to reduce costs. This is because building separate native apps can cost you more. It also saves development time and effort.

Also Read: How Much Does React Native App Development Cost in the UK

🔘Use Pre-built Solutions and APIs: Instead of developing everything from scratch, you can use third-party APIs for maps, payment gateways, and chat support. This can help reduce the development time and costs.

🔘Outsourcing to an Experienced Development Team: Hiring an in-house team can be costly. Outsourcing to a skilled development agency allows you to access expert developers, designers, and testers at a lower cost than maintaining an in-house team.

🔘Optimise UI/UX Design Costs: Custom animations and complex UI designs increase costs. Using pre-designed templates and user-friendly layouts ensures a great user experience while keeping expenses low.

🔘Plan for Long-Term Maintenance Yearly: Ignoring maintenance can lead to unexpected expenses. You should plan a budget for regular updates, bug fixes, and security patches to prevent costly downtime or user dissatisfaction.

How Can Arramton Help You With Real Estate App Development?

Arramton is one of the UK's best real estate app development companies. They can create high-quality real estate apps that meet your business needs.

Their team can handle everything from planning and design to development, testing, and support after launch. They have expertise in using the latest technology, frameworks, and tools to build real estate apps that work perfectly on both iOS and Android.

They can add features within your app based on your requirements, including custom property listings, AI search filters, virtual tours, and secure payment systems to improve user experience and business efficiency.

They also ensure your app has strong security and can scale as your business. With their ongoing support and updates, they ensure your app stays competitive.

If you need the top partner to build an excellent real estate app within your budget, Arramton Infotech is here to help. They offer the best real estate app development services.

The Bottom line

Real estate app development is growing as more businesses and individuals look for ways to make property transactions easier, manage listings, and improve user engagement.

The real estate app development cost in the UK can vary depending on factors like the app’s complexity, the features you need, the platform (iOS, Android, or both), the design, and the development team.

Simple apps with essential features like property listings and search options can cost between £10,000 to £30,000. More complex apps with features like virtual tours, payment systems, and custom designs can cost from £30,000 to £100,000 or more.

When estimating the cost, remember to include ongoing maintenance, updates, and hosting expenses. A well-made app can provide great returns by improving user experience, increasing engagement, and boosting sales for your real estate business.

At Arramton, we specialise in creating high-quality, easy-to-use real estate apps that meet your needs. Get in touch with us now, and let us build your ideal real estate app!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1 How much does it cost to develop a basic real estate app in the UK?

Ans A basic real estate app in the UK can cost between £10,000 and £20,000, which can vary based on factors such as app type, features required, platform choice, design complexity, and the location of the development team.

Q2 How long does it take to develop a real estate app?

Ans The development time for a real estate app can take 2 months for a simple app to over 12 months for a complex app. The timeline depends on the features, design complexity, and the development team's efficiency.

Q3 Is it cheaper to build a web-based real estate platform instead of an app?

Ans Yes, a web-based platform is usually more affordable than a mobile app. A simple real estate website with basic property listings and search functions may cost £10,000 – £30,000, while a more complex platform with interactive maps and AI recommendations can range from £30,000 – £80,000. However, mobile apps offer a better user experience and higher engagement.

Q4 Can I reduce the cost of developing a real estate app?

Ans Yes, you can reduce costs by outsourcing development to regions with lower labour costs, focusing on essential features in the initial launch, and utilising pre-built templates and frameworks. A phased approach to app development can also help reduce costs over time.

Q5 How much should I budget for ongoing app maintenance and updates?

Ans App maintenance usually costs around 15-20% of the initial annual development cost. This includes bug fixes, performance improvements, and adding new features to keep the app functional and competitive.

Q6 What marketing strategies should I use for my real estate app?

Ans The effective marketing strategies you can use include app store optimisation (ASO), online advertising, influencer partnerships, and social media campaigns. Investing around £5,000 to £20,000 annually for marketing can help drive user engagement and increase app downloads.