The verdict in three sentences
A CFO at a Toronto general contractor who receives three quotes between 15,000 and 45,000 CAD must first bring them to an identical scope before comparing prices. A healthy quote splits the budget as follows: UX design 15 to 20%, development 35 to 45%, content and site photography 10 to 15%, launch SEO 5 to 10%, testing 5%. The three traps that blow up the bill are unpriced hosting, no code ownership clause and maintenance billed at 8% of the build price per month.
How a balanced quote breaks down
A construction contractor's site reassures public owners, infrastructure agencies and large private clients. It must show project references, equipment, safety record (COR certification), and bonding capacity. Here is how a 30,000 CAD quote should break down in 2026.
| Item | Share of quote | Amount on 30,000 CAD | What must be written |
|---|---|---|---|
| UX design and mockups | 15 to 20% | 4,500 to 6,000 | Number of mockups, review rounds |
| Development | 35 to 45% | 10,500 to 13,500 | Page count, CMS, project sheets, forms |
| Content and site photography | 10 to 15% | 3,000 to 4,500 | Shoot days, drone, copywriting |
| Launch SEO | 5 to 10% | 1,500 to 3,000 | Markup, speed, Google Business Profile |
| Testing and go-live | 5% | 1,500 | Mobile tests, fixes, training |
| Project management | 10 to 15% | 3,000 to 4,500 | Meetings, minutes, schedule |
If an item sits far outside these ranges, ask for a justification. A quote where development is 70% with no design line often signals a generic theme resold at custom-build prices.
Recurring traps in agency quotes
Gaps between quotes rarely come from day rates. They come from what is not written. Here are the lines to hunt for.
| Trap | How it shows up | Hidden 3-year cost (CAD) | What to demand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unpriced hosting | "Hosting to be arranged" | 1,500 to 5,000 | Annual price, server, backups |
| No code ownership | No clause | Full rebuild if you change agency | Rights assignment on delivery |
| Maintenance at 8% per month | 2,400 CAD per month on 30,000 | 86,400 | 2 to 3% per month maximum, defined scope |
| Photos excluded | "Supplied by client" | 2,500 to 6,000 | Priced shoot days |
| Vague page count | "Complete website" | Change orders of 300 to 900 per page | Sitemap attached to the quote |
| Domain in the agency's name | Not specified | Lock-in during a dispute | .ca or .com domain in the company's name |
Comparing three quotes on an equal scope
The method has four steps. Write a shared page list (home, company, road and bridge expertise, projects, equipment, health and safety, careers, contact). Ask all three agencies to price that exact scope. Add the build price to three years of maintenance and hosting. Finally, note ownership and timeline clauses. The cheapest at signing is rarely the cheapest over 36 months.
Mini case study
Jennifer, CFO of a 150-person general contractor in Toronto, compares three offers. Quote A: 15,000 CAD, hosting unpriced, maintenance at 1,100 CAD per month, no code assignment. Quote B: 30,000 CAD, maintenance at 700 CAD per month, hosting 1,200 CAD per year. Quote C: 45,000 CAD, maintenance at 1,000 CAD per month. Three-year cost: A = 15,000 + 39,600 + about 4,000 hosting = 58,600 CAD; B = 30,000 + 25,200 + 3,600 = 58,800 CAD; C = 45,000 + 36,000 = 81,000 CAD. A and B now differ by only 200 CAD, and B includes site photography and code ownership. Jennifer picks B.
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FAQ
Why can three quotes range from 15,000 to 45,000 CAD?
Because the scope differs: page count, photography, copywriting, maintenance. On an identical scope, the gap often drops below 30%.
What share of the quote should go to design?
15 to 20% for UX design and mockups. Below 10%, the site probably relies on a generic theme poorly suited to construction.
What is a reasonable maintenance price?
2 to 3% of the build price per month, or 600 to 900 CAD for a 30,000 CAD site. Above 5%, demand a detailed scope.
How do we make sure we own the site?
Require a clause assigning rights to the code and content on delivery, and a domain registered in the company's name.
Is site photography worth the investment?
Yes: 1 to 2 shoot days at 2,500 to 6,000 CAD build credibility with owners, who often compare 4 to 6 contractors.
Let's scope your project. Send us your current quotes or page list and we will return a line-by-line estimate on an equal scope, with a 3-year budget 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.
