The verdict in three sentences
For an engineering and construction firm in Amsterdam, the website build contract matters as much as the design: it must state who owns the domain, the hosting account, the code, the copy and the project visuals at handover. The usual friction points are payment milestones, acceptance testing (who signs off what, against which criteria) and project references published without the asset owner's written consent. At Kolonell the price is fixed by the grid (Starter EUR 2,700, Growth EUR 4,500, Premium EUR 8,200), delivery takes 3 to 4 weeks once content is ready, and every other term is written out in the quote.
This is not legal advice. Have your in-house counsel or lawyer review the contract before signing.
Which clauses should you require before signing?
An engineering consultancy based in Zuidas, Sloterdijk, Amsterdam-Noord or around Schiphol typically showcases infrastructure work, building services (MEP) or sustainability retrofits. That content touches third-party rights: photos taken on a client's site, drawings, BIM models, client logos. The contract therefore has to go further than a page quote.
| Clause | What to write | Why it matters for an engineering firm |
|---|---|---|
| Scope and page list | Named list of pages, templates and languages | Stops unplanned project pages being billed by the hour |
| Domain and hosting | .nl or .com domain and hosting account in the firm's name | You can switch provider without negotiating a handback |
| Code, design and content | Written assignment or licence, source files delivered at handover | In the Netherlands, transferring copyright generally requires a written deed |
| Project photos and drawings | Who holds the rights, end-client consent, list of NDA projects excluded | A confidential project published by mistake can damage a client relationship |
| Payment milestones | Amount per stage, precise trigger (design approved, acceptance signed) | You pay for a deliverable, not for a calendar date |
| Acceptance and revision rounds | Measurable criteria, number of rounds, response time | A clear finish line, no "nearly done" for two months |
| Change requests | Written procedure, priced before work starts | Out-of-scope work stays visible and is your decision |
| Personal data | Data processing agreement (verwerkersovereenkomst) under the GDPR, form data retention period | Job applications and tender enquiries contain personal data |
In Dutch the GDPR is known as the AVG, and the Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens is the supervisory authority. A careers form or a prequalification request collects personal data, so the contract should state who is controller, who is processor, where the data is hosted and how long it is kept.
Typical local agency contract, what to ask for, Kolonell terms
The figures below are a 2026 ballpark based on typical agency quotes and public agency rate pages, not an official benchmark.
| Contract point | Typical Amsterdam agency contract | What to ask for | Kolonell |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | EUR 15,000 to 45,000, often partly time and materials | Fixed price for a written scope | Fixed grid: EUR 2,700, 4,500 or 8,200 |
| Timeline | 8 to 16 weeks | Phase calendar with sign-off dates | 3 to 4 weeks once content is ready |
| Milestones | 30 to 50% upfront | Payment tied to approved deliverables | Schedule written in the quote |
| Ownership | Licence to use, code sometimes retained | Assignment or full delivery of source files | Written in the quote |
| Acceptance | Deemed accepted after 10 days | Written criteria and a signed acceptance report | Criteria set in the quote |
| Support | 1 to 3 months, then a maintenance contract | Duration, scope, response time | 3 months included, then on quote |
| Languages | Dutch included, English as an option | Languages listed in the contract | Premium (the multilingual tier, languages set in the quote) |
| Point of contact | Local project manager | Name and availability in writing | Project manager reachable in your time zone |
A local agency brings physical presence and deep knowledge of the Dutch market. Most of the price gap comes from meeting time, hourly billing and maintenance bundled into the contract. Compare on an identical scope, page by page, and check the Kolonell international offer to see what each tier covers.
How should you run acceptance on an engineering website?
Acceptance is the moment you take over the site. For an engineering firm it needs to cover technology, content and compliance.
- Technical acceptance: display on mobile and desktop, speed, forms landing in the right inbox, prequalification sheets downloading correctly, 301 redirects if an old site exists.
- Content acceptance: every project reference checked by the internal project lead concerned, technical figures proofread, no mention of an NDA project.
- Compliance sign-off: legal notices, a GDPR-compliant privacy notice, cookie banner, written consent from every client whose logo or photos appear.
- Acceptance report: list of snags, correction deadline, signature that triggers the final payment.
Agree on two revision rounds on the design and one round on the built site, with a 5 working day response time on your side. Anything beyond that goes through a written, priced change request.
What about exit and confidentiality?
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The exit clause is often forgotten. It should list what you receive if the relationship ends: admin access, a content database export, design files, domain and hosting credentials. Add a confidentiality clause covering drawings, studies and tender documents shared during the project. If the site connects to project software, a client extranet or a document portal, that part stays on quote and deserves a separate contract.
Mini case study
Illustrative example. Sanne, operations director of a building services engineering firm of about 40 people in Sloterdijk, is preparing a new site in Dutch and English. She wants to publish 24 project references.
- Consent check: of 24 projects, 15 have written client consent, 4 are under NDA and 5 need a fresh request. The contract lists the 15 publishable projects at launch.
- Risk avoided: without a written list, adding 9 project pages mid-build would have been billed by the hour. At 4 hours per page and EUR 110 to 140 an hour, that is EUR 3,960 to 5,040 out of scope.
- Option chosen: Premium at EUR 8,200 (the multilingual tier, languages set in the quote), delivery in 3 to 4 weeks after content handover, 3 months of support included. The 5 projects awaiting consent will be added later through a priced change request.
FAQ
Who should own the domain name?
The firm, always. The domain must be registered in the company's name, with admin access for at least 2 internal people.
How many revision rounds should we plan?
Two rounds on the design and one on the built site are enough for most projects. Also write down your own response time, for example 5 working days, or the 3 to 4 week schedule slips.
Can we show a project without the client's consent?
It is risky. Ask for written consent for every reference and exclude NDA projects in the contract, even if that shortens the list by 20 to 30%.
Do we need a data processing agreement?
Yes, as soon as the provider hosts or processes form data on your behalf. The GDPR requires a written agreement between controller and processor.
What happens after the 3 months of support?
At Kolonell, maintenance after the 3 included months is on quote. Compare with local contracts, often offered at EUR 100 to 400 a month depending on service level (market assumption).
Let's scope your project. Send us your page list, your publishable project references and your timeline, and we reply with a fixed grid price and a 3 to 4 week delivery plan. See the international offer or request a free quote: detailed reply within 48 hours.
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.
