The verdict in three sentences
For an aluminium windows manufacturer selling through an approved installer network, the website works first and foremost as a quote request router that must send every homeowner to the right installer in under a minute. A realistic 2026 budget in Dublin is 14,000 to 26,000 EUR excluding VAT, of which 3,000 to 6,000 EUR covers the locator and automatic routing. With 300 to 500 routed requests a month, the investment usually pays back within the first quarter of operation if the network converts at least 15% of requests.
What the site must do for a 140-installer network
The sales director of a 65-employee manufacturer serves two audiences. Homeowners looking for a window, a sliding patio door or a conservatory want a local quote. Specifiers (architects, project managers, engineers) want technical sheets, U-values and air, water and wind test certificates. The site must reassure the second group and turn the first into qualified leads for installers.
The functional core has four building blocks: a map of the 140 approved installers searchable by Eircode, a structured quote form (product type, approximate dimensions, timing, photos), a routing engine that assigns each request to the nearest available installer with a follow-up if there is no answer within 48 h, and a specifier area with downloadable documentation.
| Building block | Function | 2026 budget excl. VAT | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core site (ranges, projects, brand) | 25 to 40 pages, CMS, SEO | 7,000 to 11,000 EUR | 5 to 7 weeks |
| 140-installer locator | Map, range filters, installer profile | 1,500 to 2,500 EUR | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Automatic quote routing | Assignment, reminders, dashboard | 1,500 to 3,500 EUR | 2 weeks |
| Simplified configurator | Range, RAL colour, glazing, estimate | 4,000 to 9,000 EUR | 3 to 4 weeks |
| Specifier area | Technical sheets, test reports, BIM objects | 1,000 to 2,500 EUR | 1 week |
| Total project | Full site in production | 14,000 to 26,000 EUR | 9 to 12 weeks |
Locator and routing: where the real value sits
A manufacturer site without routing forces the sales team to redistribute requests by hand. At 400 requests a month, that is easily 25 to 35 hours of admin work and a 3 to 5 day response time, while the homeowner has often contacted three companies at once. Automatic routing brings that delay down to a few hours.
The most effective routing rules combine distance (each installer's declared service radius), the ranges they master (conservatories, pocket sliders, entrance doors), current workload and historical response rate. The installer receives an email and an SMS, accepts or declines in one click, and the request moves to the next installer after 48 h without a reply.
| Metric | Without routing | With automatic routing |
|---|---|---|
| Average time to first contact | 3 to 5 days | 4 to 24 hours |
| Monthly admin time (400 requests) | 25 to 35 h | 3 to 5 h |
| Lost requests (never handled) | 15 to 25% | 3 to 6% |
| Conversion to signed quote | 10 to 14% | 16 to 22% |
| Manufacturer visibility on follow-up | Low | Dashboard per installer |
| Recurring cost | 0 EUR but internal time | 120 to 200 EUR/month maintenance |
These rates are 2026 orders of magnitude seen on joinery and installer networks; they depend heavily on network discipline.
Configurator: how far should you go?
A full 3D configurator easily costs 30,000 EUR or more. For a manufacturer of this size, a simplified configurator is enough: choice of range, RAL colour among 12 to 20 shades, glazing type and a dimension band, with an indicative price range (for example 'sliding door 2,400 x 2,150 mm: 2,800 to 3,900 EUR installed incl. VAT'). The goal is to prequalify the request, not to sell online. A 4,000 EUR configurator covers three ranges; at 9,000 EUR it includes conservatories with roof options and composited photo previews.
Add grant information too: SEAI home energy upgrade grants for windows and doors change regularly, and a dedicated page updated every quarter attracts steady search traffic from Irish homeowners.
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Mini case study
Claire, sales director of an aluminium windows manufacturer in Dublin, invests 21,000 EUR excl. VAT: core site 9,500 EUR, locator and routing 4,500 EUR, configurator 5,500 EUR, specifier area 1,500 EUR. Maintenance 160 EUR a month. The site routes 380 requests a month. With the signing rate rising from 12% to 18%, the network signs 23 extra jobs a month. At an average job of 6,500 EUR incl. VAT, of which about 2,200 EUR is manufacturer revenue (windows sold to the installer), that is close to 50,000 EUR of additional monthly revenue for the manufacturer. Even at a 25% margin, the project pays back in under two months.
FAQ
How much does an aluminium windows manufacturer website cost in Dublin in 2026?
Budget 14,000 to 26,000 EUR excl. VAT for a complete site with installer locator, quote routing and simplified configurator. A brochure site without routing starts around 7,000 EUR but leaves dispatching to the sales team.
How long does it take to go live?
Allow 9 to 12 weeks, including 2 weeks to collect installer data (addresses, radius, ranges). The locator can ship first, from week 6, to test routing on one county.
Do installers need to use software?
No, they receive an email and an SMS with a one-click acceptance link. An optional installer portal (500 to 1,500 EUR) lets them track history and quote status.
Does the configurator show prices?
It shows indicative installed price ranges, for example 2,800 to 3,900 EUR for a standard sliding door. The final price is set by the installer after survey.
What does maintenance cost?
Between 120 and 200 EUR excl. VAT a month: hosting, security updates, backups and installer list updates. Functional changes are quoted separately.
Let's scope your project. Send us your installer count, your ranges and your monthly request volume, and we will price the locator, routing and configurator within a 14,000 to 26,000 EUR range on a 9 to 12 week schedule. 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.
