[hnfong]

Given the flexibility and depth of the django admin, 5 good developers working on it for 1 year sounds about right.

200k/year might sound like a lot but then in a real business there are various overhead costs as well.

I'd say $1m is probably on the lower side of the estimate. Factoring in project delays and misc Murphy law things, wouldn't be surprised if a mediocre team underdelivers with a crappy immitation of the django admin interface after blowing through a couple mil.