The verdict in three sentences
In 2026, a corporate intranet rebuild in London runs between 40,000 and 120,000 EUR depending on the number of modules and the depth of integration with your existing systems. The line items that inflate the budget are the directory coupled with SSO (+6,000 to 15,000 EUR) and the document base with search engine (+8,000 to 20,000 EUR). Plan for a 4 to 8-month project and a return on investment driven by reduced information-search time and higher adoption of internal tools.
What an intranet rebuild covers in 2026
A modern intranet is no longer a static directory: it is an adoption platform that centralises documents, news, HR processes and business applications. In London, the IT and HR directors leading these projects choose between a bespoke build (Next.js + SSO) and a packaged solution (SharePoint, LumApps). Bespoke offers a better experience and finer integration, at the cost of a higher design budget.
| Intranet module | 2026 range (EUR) | Indicative timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Core + design system + editorial CMS | 15,000 – 35,000 | 6 – 10 weeks |
| Employee directory + SSO (SAML/OIDC) | 6,000 – 15,000 | 3 – 5 weeks |
| Document base + search engine | 8,000 – 20,000 | 4 – 7 weeks |
| Internal social network (feed, likes, comments) | 7,000 – 18,000 | 4 – 6 weeks |
| HR portal (leave, expenses, onboarding) | 10,000 – 25,000 | 5 – 8 weeks |
| Adoption dashboard & analytics | 4,000 – 10,000 | 2 – 4 weeks |
The sum of the modules gives the overall range: a Starter project (core + directory) begins around 40,000 EUR, while a full intranet with HR portal and social network easily exceeds 100,000 EUR.
Recurring costs and multi-year envelope
The build price is only part of the equation. Hosting, maintenance and evolution represent a recurring cost to budget from the tender stage.
| Recurring item | 2026 range | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Managed hosting (EU cloud, GDPR) | 200 – 800 EUR/month | By traffic & storage |
| Corrective & security maintenance | 500 – 1,500 EUR/month | 8–12% of build/year |
| Functional evolutions | 4,000 – 12,000 EUR/year | Prioritised backlog |
| SSO / directory licences | 2 – 6 EUR/user/month | By provider |
| Support & ongoing training | 3,000 – 8,000 EUR/year | By headcount |
Over three years, an intranet with an 80,000 EUR build reaches a total cost of ownership of around 120,000 to 150,000 EUR once hosting and maintenance are included — a figure to present to the investment committee from the outset.
Mini case study
Sophie, HR director of a 340-employee industrial SME in London, wants to replace an ageing, underused SharePoint intranet. Goal: cut the time each employee spends searching for a procedure or document, estimated at 25 minutes per day. Chosen budget: core + directory/SSO + document base = 62,000 EUR, plus 500 EUR/month for hosting and maintenance.
If the rebuild saves even 10 minutes per day per person, that is roughly 56 hours saved per working day across 340 employees. At an average loaded cost of 35 EUR/hour, the annual saving (220 days) exceeds 430,000 EUR. Even dividing this prudent estimate by four, the project pays for itself in under a year — not counting fewer errors from outdated documents.
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FAQ
What is the minimum cost of an intranet rebuild in London in 2026?
A Starter scope (editorial core + directory + SSO) starts around 40,000 EUR. Below that, you are looking at a simple internal site, not an adoption intranet.
Should I choose SharePoint or a bespoke solution?
SharePoint lowers the initial build but costs 4 to 8 EUR/user/month in licences and constrains the experience. Bespoke costs 15 to 30% more to build but delivers higher adoption, often decisive beyond 200 employees.
How long does a full intranet project take?
Plan for 4 to 8 months from scoping to go-live, split into sprints. Directory/SSO adds 3 to 5 weeks and the document base 4 to 7 weeks.
What budget should I plan for hosting and maintenance?
Between 200 and 800 EUR/month for GDPR-compliant managed hosting, plus 500 to 1,500 EUR/month for maintenance and security, roughly 8 to 12% of the build per year.
How do I measure intranet ROI?
Track information-search time, adoption rate (active logins) and the drop in support tickets. A 10-minute/day/employee gain is often enough to repay the project in under 12 months.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your headcount, priority modules (directory/SSO, document base, HR portal) and indicative budget, and we'll frame the scope and timeline. 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.
