The verdict in three sentences
Comparing three web quotes on headline price is the surest way to pick wrong: the same brief can produce a range of 12,000 to 28,000 EUR depending on the scope actually covered. The right method is to normalise to scope, decode the days/price ratio (day rate 400 to 700 EUR in 2026) and separate build from ongoing support. The cheapest quote is often the most expensive by the end: +30% in change orders on average.
Normalise the quotes to the same scope
Before any decision, bring the three offers onto a common base. A 12,000 EUR quote that excludes content, migration and SEO is not cheaper than a 20,000 EUR quote that includes them: it is incomplete. Here are the line items to reconcile.
| Line item | Quote A (low-cost) | Quote B (median) | Quote C (premium) |
|---|---|---|---|
| UX/UI design | 2,000 EUR | 4,500 EUR | 7,000 EUR |
| Development | 6,000 EUR | 9,000 EUR | 12,000 EUR |
| Content & migration | not included | 2,500 EUR | 3,500 EUR |
| Technical SEO | not included | 1,800 EUR | 3,000 EUR |
| 12-month support | 500 EUR | 2,200 EUR | 3,500 EUR |
| Headline total | 12,000 EUR | 20,000 EUR | 28,000 EUR |
| Total at equal scope | 18,500 EUR | 20,000 EUR | 28,000 EUR |
Once content and SEO are added back, quote A is no longer 12,000 but an estimated 18,500 EUR: the real gap with quote B is only 8%, not 40%.
Read the days/price ratio and the guarantees
Always ask for the number of person-days behind each amount. A project priced at 20,000 EUR with a 500 EUR day rate represents 40 days of work; if only 22 are budgeted, the margin or the subcontracting is abnormal. Check the contractual guarantees too.
| Control criterion | Healthy 2026 signal | Warning signal |
|---|---|---|
| Stated day rate | 400 to 700 EUR | < 300 EUR (uncontrolled offshore) |
| Days for a B2B site | 30 to 55 days | < 20 days |
| Post-delivery warranty | 6 to 12 months | < 3 months |
| Late penalties | 0.5 to 2%/day | no clause |
| Code reversibility | included | code not assigned |
| Support share/year | 15 to 20% of build | 0% (no follow-up) |
A quote with no late penalties and no code reversibility should be scored down in your grid, even if it is the cheapest.
Mini case study
Karim, owner of a trading SME in London, receives three quotes: 12,400, 19,800 and 27,500 EUR. Tempted by the first, he asks for detail: content, migration and SEO are excluded, and the warranty is 2 months. At equal scope, the low-cost quote rises to an estimated 17,900 EUR. On his previous project, a low-cost vendor billed him 5,400 EUR in change orders (+34%). He picks the median quote at 19,800 EUR, better guaranteed, and locks his total budget at 21,500 EUR support included, versus a likely 23,300 EUR with option A. Estimated net saving: 1,800 EUR and several weeks of stress avoided.
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FAQ
Why can three quotes vary by up to 2x?
Because they do not cover the same scope: content, migration, SEO and support are often excluded from the cheapest offers. At equal scope, the real gap usually drops below 15%.
What day rate is normal for a web agency in 2026?
In Europe, day rates sit between 400 and 700 EUR depending on seniority and stack. Below 300 EUR, beware of uncontrolled subcontracting that degrades quality and follow-up.
Is the cheapest quote really the riskiest?
Often yes: a low-cost quote averages +30% in change orders for lack of a fixed scope. The final cost meets or exceeds that of a better-scoped median offer.
Should you demand the person-day count?
Yes, it is the best tell. Divide the amount by the day rate: if the number of days looks too low for the scope, the quote is underestimated and change orders are programmed in.
How do you score the three offers objectively?
Use a weighted grid: price 30%, real scope 25%, guarantees 20%, references 15%, timelines 10%. The best overall score, not price alone, should decide.
Let's scope your project. Send us your three quotes: we normalise them to the same scope and hand you a costed analysis grid. 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.
