The verdict in three sentences
When two Chicago agencies are neck and neck, contract answers should decide, not the last mockup. The questions that matter most cover ownership of code and accounts, ADA conformance and the protection of existing search traffic through a full 301 redirect plan. A serious agency answers all 12 questions below in writing within 48 hours; a vague answer on any of them is a warning sign.
Questions 1 to 6: scope, schedule, money
| Question | Good answer | Bad answer | Cost if left vague |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. What exactly does the price include? | Page list, templates, features, revision rounds | 'Everything you need' | Change orders of 15 to 30 % |
| 2. How many design revision rounds? | 2 to 3 per template, priced beyond that | 'As many as it takes' | Endless loop or surprise invoice |
| 3. Who writes and loads content? | Written split, number of pages loaded | 'We'll figure it out' | 200 to 500 USD per page extra |
| 4. What is the schedule and what if you are late? | Dated milestones, a fee credit for agency-caused delay | No date commitment | Launch slips by months |
| 5. What is the payment schedule? | 30 / 30 / 40 % tied to milestones | 60 to 70 % upfront | No leverage in a dispute |
| 6. What does year two cost? | Hosting and care priced, 2,400 to 9,000 USD a year | 'It depends' | Unbudgeted running cost |
Questions 7 to 12: ownership, accessibility, warranty
| Question | Good answer | Bad answer | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7. Who owns the code and designs? | Full IP assignment on final payment | 'You get a licence to use it' | Rebuild to switch providers |
| 8. Are all accounts in our name? | Domain, hosting, Google Search Console, analytics, ad accounts owned by client | Agency-owned accounts | Lost history and access |
| 9. How do you protect our search traffic? | 301 map for every indexed URL, post-launch check | 'Google will figure it out' | Organic traffic drop of 20 to 60 % |
| 10. What warranty after launch? | 3 to 12 months of free bug fixes | Nothing in writing | Every bug billed |
| 11. How do you test ADA conformance? | WCAG 2.1 AA target, automated plus manual testing, report delivered | 'The theme is accessible' | Demand letter and retrofit of 5,000 to 15,000 USD |
| 12. Who is our lead and who writes code? | Named project manager, in-house team or disclosed subcontractors | Evasive answer | Unpredictable quality |
On ADA: there is no formal B2B exemption in practice, and WCAG 2.1 AA is the benchmark most settlements reference. Overlay widgets alone do not meet it.
Comparing the two finalists
Score each answer 0 to 2 and compare totals out of 24. A gap of 5 points or more usually justifies the pricier agency: on a 15,000 to 60,000 USD project, one change order or a traffic drop costs more than a 3,000 to 6,000 USD price difference. Put the good answers in the contract or a schedule, or they bind nobody.
Mini case study
Illustrative example: Dan, CEO of a 30-person commercial insurance brokerage in the Loop, weighing agency A at 24,000 USD and agency B at 29,500 USD. A scores 12 out of 24 (accounts in the agency's name, no redirect plan, no accessibility testing). B scores 21.
His risk estimate for A: copywriting change order for 15 pages at 300 USD, so 4,500 USD; an accessibility retrofit of 8,000 USD if a demand letter arrives; and a 30 % drop on 2,000 monthly organic visits for six months, about 3,600 visits and 10 leads at 900 USD average first-year margin, so 9,000 USD. A's probable cost tops 45,000 USD: he signs with B.
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FAQ
How much does a website redesign cost in Chicago in 2026?
From about 15,000 to 60,000 USD depending on pages and features. Most 15 to 30 page B2B service sites land between 20,000 and 40,000 USD.
Can we ask for a late-delivery clause?
Yes, usually as a fee credit of 1 to 2 % per week of agency-caused delay, capped around 10 %. Expect the agency to set deadlines for your own approvals in return.
How do we check the 301 redirect plan?
Ask for the mapping file before launch and test the top 100 to 200 URLs. Review Google Search Console 2 to 4 weeks after launch to confirm.
What warranty should we require?
At least 90 days, ideally 6 to 12 months for sites with forms or portals. It covers defects, not new features.
Should a lawyer review the contract?
For projects above 25,000 USD, a 1 to 2 hour review at 300 to 600 USD per hour protects the IP and warranty clauses.
Let's scope your project. Send us your RFP or your two finalist quotes, and we will answer the 12 questions in writing with scope, budget and 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.
