The verdict in three sentences
For an engineering and construction firm in Dubai, the website mainly serves prequalification: clients and consultants check references, certifications and capacity before they even call. A redesign costs roughly USD 10,900 to 40,800 with a local agency, against $2,900, $4,900 or $8,900 on the Kolonell fixed grid, with delivery in 3 to 4 weeks once content is ready. The risks to handle first are project portfolio URLs, downloadable prequalification documents and the tender and careers pages.
Which signals show a redesign is due?
In Business Bay, JLT, Al Quoz or Dubai South, MEP, fit-out and infrastructure contractors look alike on paper. The website makes the difference when a consultant or developer compares three bidders. Common signals:
- the portfolio is an image gallery with no project sheet (scope, discipline, year);
- the prequalification PDF is more than 2 years old;
- the careers page points to a generic email address;
- the Arabic version does not exist or renders poorly right to left;
- the site takes more than 5 seconds to load on mobile because of uncompressed photos.
Do not invent anything to fill gaps: publish only the projects, clients and certifications you can document and that clients have agreed to show.
What budget should you plan in Dubai?
2026 ballpark based on typical agency quotes and public agency rate pages. Approximate conversion at USD 1 to about AED 3.67.
| Option | Budget in AED (local) | Approximate USD equivalent | Usual timeline | Arabic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freelancer | AED 10,000 to 30,000 | USD 2,700 to 8,200 | 4 to 8 weeks | Rarely included |
| Standard local agency | AED 40,000 to 80,000 | USD 10,900 to 21,800 | 8 to 12 weeks | Optional |
| High-end agency | AED 80,000 to 150,000 | USD 21,800 to 40,800 | 12 to 20 weeks | Usually included |
| Kolonell Starter | $2,900 | 3 to 4 weeks | No | |
| Kolonell Growth | $4,900 | 3 to 4 weeks | No | |
| Kolonell Premium | $8,900 | 3 to 4 weeks | The multilingual tier, languages and RTL scope set in the quote |
Kolonell tiers include a project manager reachable in your time zone, native English copywriting, delivery in 3 to 4 weeks and 3 months of support. An Arabic proofread by an independent translator is a third-party cost. As one example, Kolonell built the website of Orven Properties, a Dubai-based real estate company. Tier details are on the international offer page.
What does the timeline look like, phase by phase?
| Week | Kolonell work | Firm side |
|---|---|---|
| Before kick-off | Approved project sheets, client consents, updated prequalification PDF | |
| Week 1 | URL inventory, sitemap, home and project sheet design | 1 feedback round within 3 days |
| Week 2 | Build of pages, portfolio and downloads | Project leads check their sheets |
| Week 3 | 301 redirects, forms, Arabic version if Premium | Arabic proofread (third-party cost) |
| Week 4 | Compliance sign-off, go-live, Search Console | Written approval before switch-over |
A firm that has not gathered its project sheets before kick-off can lose 3 to 5 weeks: content is almost always the slowest phase.
Which risks, and how do you limit them?
| Risk | Why it is critical in engineering | Mitigation |
|---|---|---|
| Lost portfolio URLs | Links sent in past tender submissions break | Full inventory and one-to-one 301 redirects |
| Broken prequalification PDFs | A buyer cannot find the requested document | Stable URLs, new file at the same address |
| Tender and careers pages | Applications and supplier registrations interrupted | Form tests before and after switch-over |
| Personal data in CVs | Processing governed by UAE federal law | Limited retention, consent, documented hosting |
| Poor Arabic rendering | Loss of credibility with public buyers | RTL scope set in the quote, native proofread |
| Downtime | Site unavailable during a bid deadline | Switch-over scheduled outside submission periods |
Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 governs personal data protection in the UAE; DIFC entities fall under their own data protection law. Stay cautious and have your adviser approve the privacy notice. This is not legal advice.
On quote: client extranet, supplier portal, ERP or site-tracking integration, and any automated job feed.
Questions to ask your provider
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- How many old URLs will be redirected, and who checks them?
- Will the prequalification document keep the same address?
- Who proofreads the Arabic version, and is that cost included or third-party?
- Do the domain and hosting stay in your name?
When is a local agency the better choice?
If you mainly target public contracts with an extensive Arabic version, need a supplier portal, or want weekly in-person meetings in Business Bay, a Dubai agency is the better fit. For a clear prequalification site in English, possibly with Arabic, the fixed package is enough.
Mini case study
Illustrative example. Rania, marketing manager of an MEP and fit-out contractor in Al Quoz, runs a 60-URL site that includes 35 project sheets.
- Local quote received: AED 95,000, about USD 25,900, over 14 weeks, Arabic included.
- Kolonell option: Premium at $8,900 (the multilingual tier, languages and RTL scope set in the quote), plus about USD 1,200 for an Arabic proofread by an independent translator: USD 10,100.
- Difference: about USD 15,800. All 35 project sheets keep their URLs or get a 301 redirect.
FAQ
How much does an engineering website redesign cost in Dubai?
About USD 10,900 to 40,800 with a local agency in 2026. The Kolonell grid runs from $2,900 to $8,900 depending on the tier.
Is the Arabic version included?
It belongs to the Premium tier at $8,900, with languages and RTL scope set in the quote. Native proofreading is a third-party cost.
How do we avoid breaking links sent to buyers?
Inventory every URL, keep the address of prequalification PDFs and 301 redirect every removed page, then monitor Search Console for 4 weeks.
Can we show our clients' logos?
Only with their written consent. Publishing 20 approved projects beats 40 without consent.
What happens after the 3 months of support?
Maintenance is then on quote at Kolonell. Local agencies often charge AED 1,000 to 3,000 a month (market assumption).
Let's scope your project. Send us your number of project sheets, your languages and your tender calendar, and we come back with a fixed tier and go-live in 3 to 4 weeks. 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.
