The verdict in three sentences
A commercial glazing company in Montréal supplying glass panels, splashbacks and glass partitions to joiners, fit-out firms and developers loses considerable time re-keying 120 quote requests per month received by phone, email and photos. A website costing USD 9,000 to 19,000 excl. tax (order of magnitude), with a structured quote form (dimensions, thickness, edgework) and a trade portal with pricing, is delivered in 7 to 10 weeks. The return is measured in estimating hours saved and in quotes sent faster than competitors.
The real problem: incomplete quote requests
In B2B glazing, one request in two arrives incomplete: missing dimension, unspecified glass type, forgotten edgework (flat edge, polished edge, holes, notches), approximate quantity. The estimator calls back, waits for an answer, then re-keys everything into the quoting software. A guided form enforces the right information from the first request and computes an estimate for standard products.
| Quote step | Without structured form | With structured form |
|---|---|---|
| Incomplete requests | 45 to 55 % | 10 to 15 % |
| Qualification time per quote | 20 to 30 min | 5 to 10 min |
| Customer call-backs needed | 1 to 3 per quote | 0 to 1 |
| Average time to send the quote | 48 to 72 h | 24 h, instant for standard items |
| Re-keying into quoting software | Always | Direct export or import |
| Estimated conversion rate | 25 to 30 % | 30 to 38 % |
Scope and price of the website
| Component | Essential version | Full version | Indicative range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product catalogue (laminated, tempered, mirrors, splashbacks, partitions) | 15 sheets | 40 sheets with technical specs | USD 1,700 to 3,900 excl. tax |
| Custom quote form | Dimensions, thickness, glass type | Edgework, holes, notches, drawing upload, multiple quantities | USD 2,200 to 5,000 excl. tax |
| Automatic estimate for standard products | Not included | Per square metre with edgework options | USD 1,100 to 1,700 excl. tax |
| Trade portal | Access to sheets and documents | Account-specific pricing, quote history, reorder | USD 1,700 to 4,400 excl. tax |
| Project pages by trade (joiners, fit-out, developers) | 3 pages | 6 pages with reference sites | USD 600 to 1,200 excl. tax |
| Design, development, local SEO | Basic | Custom, mobile performance | USD 2,800 excl. tax |
| Total | USD 9,000 excl. tax | USD 19,000 excl. tax |
The trade portal is what builds loyalty. A joiner who finds their negotiated prices and past quotes, and can reorder an identical job in two clicks, comes back to you rather than to a competitor across town.
7 to 10 week timeline
| Phase | Duration | Watch point |
|---|---|---|
| Scoping and pricing rules | 1 to 2 weeks | List edgework types and their pricing |
| Mock-ups and quote journey | 2 weeks | Test with 3 joinery clients |
| Form and trade portal development | 3 weeks | Export format for the quoting software |
| Catalogue and project pages | 1 to 2 weeks in parallel | Site photos and technical sheets |
| Acceptance testing and go-live | 1 week | Creating the first trade accounts |
Mini case study
Marc, head of a 25-person glazing company in Montréal, handles 120 quotes per month. His estimator spends an average of 25 minutes per quote, call-backs included, i.e. 50 hours per month. With the structured form, that drops to 10 minutes, or 20 hours: 30 hours saved per month. At a loaded cost of USD 42 per hour, savings reach USD 1,260 per month, or USD 15,120 per year. For a full site at USD 16,500 excl. tax, payback on time saved alone is about 13 months, not counting extra orders won by quoting within 24 h instead of 72 h.
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FAQ
How much does a commercial glazing website cost in 2026?
Expect USD 9,000 to 19,000 excl. tax depending on the catalogue, the quote form and the trade portal. Delivery takes 7 to 10 weeks.
Can the form handle edgework and holes?
Yes, the full version handles edge type, holes, notches and PDF or DXF drawing upload. This component costs USD 2,200 to 5,000 excl. tax.
Can we show different prices per customer?
Yes, the trade portal supports price lists per account, visible only after login. The general public never sees negotiated prices.
Can the site connect to our quoting software?
In most cases a structured export (CSV or XML) is enough and removes re-keying. A direct integration is priced after reviewing your software.
How much time do we really save?
On 120 monthly quotes, going from 25 to 10 minutes per quote frees about 30 hours per month. That is close to one day per week for your estimator.
Let's scope your project. Send us your quote volume, product families and edgework types: we will price a website between USD 9,000 and 19,000 excl. tax delivered in 7 to 10 weeks. 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.
