Don't Buy DesconPlus for $740K - Build It for $120K Instead

Thinking about acquiring DesconPlus, a 30-year-old engineering CAD and calculation software generating $144K ARR and $140K profit? Before you spend $740,000, consider building your own version—modernized, web-based, and tailored to your brand—for about 16% of the price.

At DontAcquire, we specialize in building high-margin SaaS products like DesconPlus from scratch, giving you ownership, scalability, and zero legacy tech debt.

What Is DesconPlus?

DesconPlus is a niche desktop SaaS serving the building engineering sector. It combines a custom calculation engine with a 2D/3D CAD system to help engineers produce compliant design documents.

The platform is trusted by 50–100 long-term clients who rely on the software’s accuracy and approved output format for official submissions.
It’s currently a solo-run business with automated billing and nearly 96% profit margins, indicative of product maturity—but also of dated architecture.

Key Highlights:

• $144K ARR / $140K TTM profit
• 30-year market presence and reputation
• Unity3D-powered CAD engine with 2D hidden line algorithm
• Built in C# (WPF desktop) with ASP.NET backend and Azure cloud licensing
• Recently launched lower-priced subscription tier
• Expansion opportunities in AI-powered design automation and web experiences

Hidden Costs of Acquisition

Acquiring a long-standing SaaS product like DesconPlus can seem attractive, but beneath the surface are costs and risks that quickly erode ROI.

Cost Item	Estimated Amount	Notes
Purchase Price	$740,000	Primary acquisition cost
Due Diligence	$10,000–$15,000	Software, legal, and financial checks
Legal Fees	$15,000–$25,000	Asset purchase agreement, IP transfer
Technical Audit	$10,000–$20,000	Code review, architecture validation
Integration & Refactor	$25,000–$50,000	Updating legacy WPF/Unity code
Post-Acquisition Marketing	$10,000–$30,000	Client communications, branding
Total True Investment	$810,000–$880,000	Often 10–20% above list price

Legacy code (WPF + Unity3D) also means limited flexibility for transitioning to the web or integrating AI—key drivers of future growth in this niche.

Building a Better Alternative

What if you built DesconPlus 2.0—a modern, web-based SaaS that captures the same core functionality, minus the technical debt?

Core Features to Build

• Parametric 2D and 3D model generation
• Browser-based CAD environment (Three.js or WebGL)
• Calculation engine with standards validation
• Auto-generated drawing exports (PDF/DWG)
• Subscription billing and licensing (Stripe/Chargebee)
• Secure cloud storage and versioning

Recommended Tech Stack

• Frontend: React + Three.js/WebGL
• Backend: Node.js or .NET Core
• Database: PostgreSQL + PostGIS
• Cloud: AWS or Azure
• Auth & Payments: Auth0 + Stripe
• CI/CD: GitHub Actions + Docker

Development Timeline

Phase	Duration	Deliverables
MVP (Core CAD + Calcs)	10–14 weeks	Base engine, auth, billing
Beta (Export + AI Drafting)	16–20 weeks	Advanced features
Launch Ready	24–28 weeks	Scalable infrastructure, full testing

Cost Breakdown: Build vs Buy

Option	Estimated Cost	Notes
Buy DesconPlus	$740,000	Legacy tech, existing users, dated UI
Due Diligence + Legal	$25,000–$40,000	Transaction-related expenses
Total Acquisition Cost	$765,000–$780,000	Excludes modernization costs
Build Custom Alternative (MVP)	$60,000–$80,000	Fully owned code, web-native
Full Product Development	$120,000–$160,000	Scalable, API-first architecture
Savings	~80–84%	Keep full IP ownership

Industry Analysis

The building engineering niche is resistant to change, valuing trust, verification, and compliance.
However, the software landscape in this field is rapidly modernizing:

• Web-based CAD and calculation tools are emerging.
• Engineers want cloud collaboration and instant updates.
• AI-assisted drafting is gaining traction.

A modern rebuild gives you:

• Instant credibility via verified calculations
• Recurring revenue potential through SaaS
• Long-term defensibility through network effects

When Acquiring Makes Sense

We’re honest—buying DesconPlus may make sense if:

• You need immediate access to 100+ locked-in customers
• You lack in-house technical leadership
• You want IP in a niche that’s nearly impossible to enter from scratch
• Margins and CAC are already optimized

But if your goal is innovation, modernization, or global scalability, building wins almost every time.

The DontAcquire Advantage

At DontAcquire, we specialize in rebuilding acquisition-worthy software at a fraction of the cost.
By reverse-engineering the value prop, we deliver cloud-native, AI-ready, modern alternatives that you own 100%.

Why clients choose us:

• 10–40% of acquisition cost
• 100% ownership of IP
• Tailored architecture for scalability
• Dedicated engineering team
• Transparent timelines and pricing

Making Your Decision

Before writing a $740K check, ask yourself:

• Am I paying mostly for history—or future potential?
• Does legacy code align with my roadmap?
• Could I get 95% of this functionality for less than $150K?
• Do I want to own my product roadmap—or inherit someone else’s?

These questions often lead founders to skip the buy and build smarter instead.

Next Steps

Ready to explore building your own version of DesconPlus?

Book a Free Consultation
Learn More About Custom Builds

FAQ

How long does it take to build a DesconPlus alternative?
Typically 5–7 months for a full-featured version, depending on feature depth and integrations.

Can you replicate the 3D CAD functionality?
Yes. We use Three.js or Unity WebGL for browser-based CAD, optimized for performance and compatibility.

What makes building cheaper long term?
No royalties, no rev share, no legacy refactoring—just a modern, owned platform that grows with your business.

Will I lose the existing customers by not acquiring?
Not necessarily. You can target the same niche with fresher tech, competitive pricing, and free data migration tools.

What if I want hybrid desktop + web?
We can build a cross-platform solution using Electron or .NET MAUI that mirrors both environments.

Do you sign NDAs and handle technical audits?
Absolutely. We handle feasibility studies and technical blueprints before development begins.

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