The verdict in three sentences
In Berlin in 2026, a visual-only redesign of a corporate website runs 12,000 to 20,000 EUR, while a full technical rebuild with a headless CMS climbs to 30,000 to 60,000 EUR. The difference comes down to technical debt: a non-responsive 2018 WordPress with a PageSpeed score of 34 needs far more than a new skin. A managing director must decide early whether to repair the façade or rebuild the foundations.
Two scenarios, two budgets
| Line item | Visual redesign | Full headless rebuild |
|---|---|---|
| UX + technical audit | 3,000-5,000 | 4,000-6,000 |
| Design + design system | 5,000-9,000 | 7,000-14,000 |
| Development | 3,000-5,000 | 14,000-28,000 |
| Content migration | partly included | 4,000-8,000 |
| WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility | optional | 3,000-6,000 |
| QA + SEO | 1,500-3,000 | 3,000-6,000 |
| Total (EUR) | 12,000-20,000 | 30,000-60,000 |
A visual redesign keeps the existing technical base: faster and cheaper, but it does not erase the performance debt or the security risks of an old CMS.
What tips you toward a full rebuild
| Warning sign | Impact | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| PageSpeed < 40 mobile | SEO and conversion collapse | Technical rebuild |
| Unmaintained WordPress | Security vulnerability | Technical rebuild |
| WCAG 2.1 AA required (listed, public) | Legal risk | Technical rebuild |
| Content < 30 pages, healthy base | Visual gain enough | Visual redesign |
| Budget < 20k EUR | Hard constraint | Visual redesign |
For a listed group or one subject to accessibility obligations, WCAG 2.1 AA and GDPR compliance are non-negotiable: they alone justify the technical rebuild.
Mini case study
Sylvie, managing director of an industrial mid-cap group in Berlin (240 staff), runs a 2018 WordPress site: non-responsive, PageSpeed 34, 45 pages. Visual redesign quote: 17,000 EUR. Full headless rebuild quote (Strapi CMS): 46,000 EUR. She picks the full rebuild because the group is heading for a stock listing that mandates accessibility. Annual maintenance cost: 18 % of the build, or 8,280 EUR/year. After the rebuild, PageSpeed rises to 92, bounce rate drops from 61 % to 43 %, and investor contact requests grow 35 %. Over three years, the 46,000 EUR build plus 24,840 EUR maintenance is justified by regulatory compliance alone, which would have cost far more in penalties.
FAQ
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
What is the price gap between a visual redesign and a full rebuild?
In Berlin in 2026, expect 12,000 to 20,000 EUR for a visual redesign and 30,000 to 60,000 EUR for a technical rebuild with a headless CMS, a factor of 2 to 3.
How much does the upfront audit cost?
A proper UX and technical audit costs 3,000 to 6,000 EUR. It pays off: it prevents blind redesigns and frames the real scope.
Is content migration really a separate line item?
Yes. Cleanly migrating 45 pages with 301 redirects and SEO carry-over costs 4,000 to 8,000 EUR. Done badly, it loses your earned rankings.
Is WCAG 2.1 AA mandatory?
For public-sector bodies, large companies and listed firms, yes. Compliance adds 3,000 to 6,000 EUR but shields you from real legal risk.
How long does a full rebuild take?
Expect 10 to 16 weeks from kick-off to production, including migration and QA.
Let's scope your project. Tell us the state of your current site (CMS, PageSpeed, page count) and your target budget (12-60k EUR). 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.
