What Does a SharePoint Intranet Cost for a 500-Person Company?
Planning a SharePoint intranet? Get a realistic cost range for a 500-person company—licensing, development, and ongoing support. Factors that affect the total.
Introduction
One of the most common questions when planning a SharePoint intranet is: How much will it cost? For a 500-person company, the answer depends on licensing, scope of custom development, and ongoing support. This article outlines typical cost ranges and what drives them.
Licensing: Microsoft 365
SharePoint is included in Microsoft 365. For 500 users, you typically need one of:
- Microsoft 365 Business Standard – Lower cost, suitable for smaller or less complex needs.
- Microsoft 365 E3 or E5 – Enterprise plans with advanced security, compliance, and Power Platform. Most common for intranets with custom development.
Licensing is usually the largest recurring cost. At 500 users, this can range from roughly $10–40 per user per month depending on the plan—so $60,000–$240,000 per year for licensing alone.
Custom Development: One-Time or Project-Based
If you already have M365 licenses, the main variable cost is custom development:
- Light setup (2–3 weeks) – Basic hub, branding, a few sites. Often $5,000–$15,000.
- Standard custom intranet (3–5 weeks) – Hub architecture, employee directory, HR portal, document management. Often $15,000–$35,000.
- Enterprise implementation (6–12 weeks) – Multiple hubs, custom apps, migration, training. Often $35,000–$80,000+.
These are ballpark figures; actual costs depend on scope, partner rates, and region.
Ongoing Support and Maintenance
After launch, you may need:
- Content ownership – Internal (no direct cost) or outsourced.
- Technical support – Retainer for updates, fixes, and enhancements. Often $500–2,000/month depending on scope.
- Training and change management – One-time or periodic. Can be included in the project or billed separately.
Factors That Affect Cost
| Factor | Impact |
|---|---|
| Existing M365 licenses | If you already have E3/E5, no additional licensing for SharePoint. |
| Migration | Moving from legacy systems adds time and cost. |
| Custom apps | SPFx, Power Apps, or integrations increase development cost. |
| Multi-language / multi-region | More sites and content = more effort. |
| Governance and training | Often underestimated; plan for it. |
How to Get a Tailored Quote
The best approach is a free consultation where you discuss:
- Current setup (M365, existing intranet, file shares)
- Desired features (HR portal, document management, news, etc.)
- Timeline and priorities
From there, a partner can provide a realistic quote for development and support.
Conclusion
For a 500-person company, a SharePoint intranet typically involves $15,000–$80,000 in custom development (one-time) plus M365 licensing (recurring) and optional ongoing support. The exact number depends on scope and requirements.
Ready for a tailored quote? We offer custom SharePoint intranet development—contact us for a free consultation.