The verdict in three sentences
For an Amsterdam construction company, the website's real job is to support tender qualification: a public client or main contractor checking your bid must find project references, certificates and sustainability credentials in two clicks. Before signing with an agency, ask nine precise questions and compare the answers with what a competent partner would say, because vague answers on documentation, ownership or updates predict trouble later. In 2026, a solid site for a mid-size Dutch contractor costs EUR 8,000 to 25,000 excl. VAT and takes 6 to 12 weeks.
What the site must hold for tenders
Set the scope before the questions. Figures are 2026 estimates for a contractor with 50 to 300 employees in the Netherlands.
| Site element | Expected content | Typical volume | Why it matters in tenders |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project references | One page per project: client, value, duration, photos | 20 to 60 projects | Proof of similar experience |
| Sustainability credentials | CO2 Performance Ladder level, BREEAM-NL projects, circular building approach | 1 to 3 pages | Award criteria in many public tenders |
| Safety certification | VCA certificate, safety figures | 1 page | Frequent selection requirement |
| Downloadable documents | Certificates, ISO, ladder certificate, company profile PDF | 5 to 15 files | Quick verification by evaluators |
| Equipment and capabilities | Plant, prefab capacity, specialisms | 1 to 2 pages | Technical capacity |
| Team | Directors, project managers, engineers | 1 page | Staff qualification |
| Tender contact | Dedicated email and phone | 1 page | Responsiveness |
The CO2 Performance Ladder is widely used in Dutch public procurement as an award advantage, so your certification level and its evidence deserve a clear, current page.
Questions to ask, and answers to expect
| Question to ask | Good answer | Bad answer |
|---|---|---|
| How will 60 project pages stay fast on mobile? | Compressed images, lazy loading, a measured speed test on staging | "Our sites are always fast" |
| Who owns the domain, hosting and site? | All in your company's name, code and content handed over | Domain registered by the agency "to keep it simple" |
| How do we update certificates when they expire? | Simple admin area, one hour of training, expiry reminders | "Email us the files" with no turnaround time |
| How many pages and project entries are included? | Written list: pages, project template, number of entries loaded | "As many as you like" with no figure |
| What is the timeline and what can delay it? | 6 to 12 weeks, conditional on photos and copy by a set date | A promise with no conditions |
| What does the site cost after launch? | Hosting EUR 20 to 80 a month, maintenance EUR 100 to 400 a month, itemised | "Hardly anything" |
| Will we rank for "aannemer Amsterdam"? | Technical SEO, Google Business Profile, pages per service, no guaranteed position | "Page one guaranteed in a month" |
| Is the site accessible? | WCAG 2.1 AA checks on templates and documents | No mention of accessibility |
| Can you show a live site for a contractor or industrial firm? | A live link and, ideally, a client contact | Only mock-ups |
Weak answers are not necessarily bad faith; they usually reveal an agency unused to companies that win work through tenders.
Budget and running costs
| Item | Scope or frequency | 2026 estimate | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Template site | 8 to 12 pages, 6 weeks | EUR 8,000 to 12,000 | Few references, simple layout |
| Custom site with project database | 15 to 25 pages, 8 to 10 weeks | EUR 14,000 to 20,000 | Recommended for 20 to 60 projects |
| Multi-entity site | Several subsidiaries, 10 to 12 weeks | EUR 20,000 to 25,000 | Group with specialist subsidiaries |
| Kolonell Premium foundation | 21 to 30 days | EUR 1,200 to 2,300 | Custom design, advanced SEO, your own copy |
| Hosting and domain | Monthly | EUR 20 to 80 | Depends on media volume |
| Maintenance | Monthly | EUR 100 to 400 | Security, backups, document updates |
| Project photography | One-off | EUR 1,500 to 4,000 | Strongly advised if photos are weak |
Kolonell is one option among others; its maintenance plans run at EUR 38, 76 or 115 a month.
Mini case study
Illustrative example, fictional company: Pieter, managing director of a 150 person contractor in Amsterdam, submits 30 tenders a year, many with sustainability award criteria.
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
- Investment: custom site at EUR 17,000, photography at EUR 2,500, hosting at EUR 40 a month and maintenance at EUR 200 a month, so EUR 22,380 in year one.
- Time saved: each bid took 8 hours to gather references, photos and certificates. With current project pages and downloadable files, this drops to 3 hours: 150 hours saved a year, about EUR 9,000 at EUR 60 an hour.
- Commercial effect: if the win rate moves from 20% to 23%, about one more contract a year, at a 6% margin on an average EUR 2.5M project, the gain is EUR 150,000.
Even one extra contract over three years covers the investment many times over.
FAQ
How much does a construction company website cost in Amsterdam in 2026?
EUR 8,000 to 25,000 excl. VAT depending on references, subsidiaries and design. Running costs add EUR 120 to 480 a month for hosting and maintenance.
How many project references should we publish?
20 to 60, prioritising recent projects similar to the tenders you target. One page each, with client, value, duration and 5 to 15 photos.
Should sustainability credentials have their own page?
Yes. CO2 Performance Ladder level, BREEAM-NL projects and circular building practices are frequent award criteria; a dedicated, dated page saves evaluators time.
Do we need an English version?
If you bid for international clients or employ international staff, yes; it usually adds 15% to 25% to the build. Dutch remains the priority for public tenders.
How do we keep certificates current?
Assign an owner and ask the agency for expiry reminders. Certificates such as VCA are typically renewed every few years, and an outdated PDF can cost you points.
Let's scope your project. Tell us how many projects you want to showcase, your certifications and target tenders, and we will propose a scope, an indicative budget in EUR and a launch date. 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.
