I'm developing a web app for a healthcare client that needs a specific video monitoring feature. The idea is for one staff member to monitor 3-5 remote participants via webcam on a single dashboard. Key requirements include a grid view for the staff, privacy so participants can't see each other, a chat function, the ability for the staff to talk privately to each participant, unique invite links for each participant, browser-based access (no app downloads), and adherence to HIPAA regulations with encrypted video and self-hosted infrastructure. I'm not looking to hire anyone, just trying to gauge a fair price range for this project either from freelancers or agencies based on these requirements.
2 Answers
It's tough to give a specific price without knowing your hourly rate and the relationship with the client, but here’s a rough breakdown: The WebRTC setup is quite involved. You'd need around 40-60 hours for core video architecture, plus 20-30 for the dashboard UI and managing participants. Factor in 15-25 hours for HIPAA compliance considerations. Overall, I’d estimate around 75-115 hours total. Agencies might charge between $15k-$35k, and experienced freelancers could be in the $8k-$20k range. If you're new to WebRTC, expect debugging to take longer than you'd think! And confirming whether the client needs recording functionalities can make a big difference in the total cost.
Pricing this project can be complex. If I were managing it, I would suggest using LiveKit for the video handling as I’ve had great experiences with it. It's cost-effective and open-source for self-hosting. Just make sure to evaluate whether your client needs additional recording functionalities as it can add to the overall cost.
Thanks! I'm definitely considering LiveKit based on my own research too.
This is super helpful. We're actually not recording or saving any PHI to keep it simple. I’m looking into LiveKit for the WebRTC setup as well. Does that adjust your estimate? How did you find working with it?