The verdict in three sentences
In 2026, an accessible WCAG 2.1 AA brochure site for a public body costs EUR 15,000 to 40,000, plus an accessibility audit of EUR 3,000 to 8,000 and a mandatory conformance statement. The typical timeline is 10 to 16 weeks, with a retainer including accessibility monitoring at EUR 400-900/month. Faced with the penalty risk (up to EUR 50,000 for repeated non-compliance under accessibility law), accessibility is no longer optional for the public sector.
What WCAG compliance costs
Accessibility is not just an audit: it permeates design, integration, content and maintenance. Here is the typical breakdown of a public-sector project in 2026.
| Item | Range EUR | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Initial accessibility audit | 3,000 - 8,000 | 2-3 wks |
| Accessible UX design | 2,500 - 6,000 | 2-3 wks |
| AA-compliant integration | 6,000 - 18,000 | 4-7 wks |
| Content rework + alternatives | 2,000 - 5,000 | 2-3 wks |
| Final conformance audit + statement | 1,500 - 3,000 | 1-2 wks |
| Total | 15,000 - 40,000 | 10-16 wks |
The conformance statement and multi-year accessibility plan are legal obligations, not options.
Remediation or full rebuild
Two paths exist: fix the existing site or start from scratch. The choice depends on the starting compliance rate measured by the audit.
| Criterion | Remediation | Full rebuild |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | EUR 6,000 - 18,000 | EUR 15,000 - 40,000 |
| Timeline | 5 - 9 weeks | 10 - 16 weeks |
| Compliance reached | 85 - 95% | 95 - 100% |
| Relevant if initial compliance | > 50% | < 50% |
| Durability | Medium | High |
| Technical-debt risk | Real | Low |
Below 50% initial compliance, remediation is like repainting a cracked facade: a full rebuild is more economical in the medium term.
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Mini case study
The city hall of a 28,000-resident municipality near Toronto has its site audited: WCAG compliance rate of 38%, non-compliant and exposed to a formal notice. The IT director, Antoine, weighs remediation at EUR 14,000 (capped at ~90%) against a full accessible rebuild at EUR 26,000 reaching 98%. He chooses the rebuild, plus a monitoring retainer at EUR 600/month. Result: conformance statement published, penalty risk removed, and a site usable by the 12% of residents with a disability, i.e. about 3,360 people in the municipality.
FAQ
Is WCAG compliance mandatory? Yes for the entire public sector. Non-compliance exposes you to a penalty of up to EUR 50,000 for repeated breaches, with publication of the formal notice.
How much is the audit alone? A full WCAG accessibility audit costs EUR 3,000 to 8,000 depending on the number of pages and user journeys tested. It is mandatory to produce the conformance statement.
Which level to target: A, AA or AAA? The law requires level AA. AAA is only expected on very specific services; targeting AA covers the public sector's legal obligation.
Do I need dedicated maintenance? Yes: every new piece of content can break compliance. A retainer with accessibility monitoring costs EUR 400 to 900/month and keeps the rate above the legal threshold.
Remediation or rebuild, how to choose? If the audit shows over 50% compliance, remediation at EUR 6,000-18,000 is enough; below that, a full rebuild at EUR 15,000-40,000 is more cost-effective in the medium term.
Let's scope your project. Send us your current compliance rate, page count and deadline: we will cost remediation or an accessible rebuild. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
