The verdict in three sentences
Insourcing a web team (dev + designer) costs 150,000 to 220,000 CAD/year fully loaded and only pays off beyond 3 simultaneous projects or a continuous product roadmap. Outsourcing to an agency gives access to cutting-edge expertise and flexibility with no fixed cost, ideal for one-off or peak needs. The right answer depends on your project volume, the criticality and your 24-month roadmap.
The annual cost comparison
Order-of-magnitude estimate for a 2026 mid-market firm in Toronto.
| Item | In-house team | Agency outsourcing |
|---|---|---|
| Loaded senior dev salary | 100,000-135,000 CAD/year | included per project |
| Loaded designer salary | 65,000-90,000 CAD/year | included per project |
| Total fixed cost | 150,000-220,000 CAD/year | 0 (variable) |
| Cost of a brochure site | internal time | 11,000-20,000 CAD |
| Ramp-up time | 2-4 months (hiring) | 1-2 weeks |
| Available expertise | 2 profiles | multidisciplinary team |
| Volume flexibility | Rigid | Elastic |
| Continuity (leave, departure) | Risk | Absorbed by the agency |
Beyond 3-4 projects a year with a continuous roadmap, the in-house team becomes economically rational. Below that, each outsourced project costs less than the matching fixed salary.
The decision grid
Volume alone is not enough: criticality and roadmap decide.
| Situation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| 1-2 projects/year, one-off needs | Outsource (agency) |
| 3+ projects/year, continuous product roadmap | Insource (team) |
| One-off peak (rebuild, launch) | Outsource as reinforcement |
| Rare expertise (AI, data, 3D) | Outsource (specialist) |
| Daily product maintenance | Insource |
| Budget < 130 KCAD/year of web projects | Outsource |
The hybrid model often wins: a small in-house team for the daily run, an agency as reinforcement for peaks and sharp expertise.
Mini case study
Nathalie, CIO of a 320-person industrial mid-market firm in Toronto, must manage a corporate site, two subsidiary sites and an intranet. Insourcing: a senior dev (115,000 CAD) + a designer (75,000 CAD) = 190,000 CAD/year fully loaded, plus 3-4 months of hiring.
Outsourcing the same deliverables: about 130,000 CAD in year one (3 projects + retainer), then 55,000 CAD/year of maintenance. Since her volume is 3 projects in year one but drops to maintenance afterward, Nathalie chooses a hybrid model: an agency for the 3 rebuilds (130,000 CAD) then a half-time in-house role for the run. Estimated 2-year saving of 90,000 CAD versus two full hires.
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FAQ
At what volume should I insource?
As a rule, beyond 3-4 simultaneous projects or a continuous product roadmap keeping two profiles busy full time. Below that, the 150-220 KCAD/year fixed cost is not amortized.
Is an in-house team more responsive?
On the daily run, yes. But it is limited to 2 profiles: for sharp one-off expertise (AI, 3D, data), an agency mobilizes faster than a 3-4 month hire.
How do I handle peaks with a small in-house team?
With the hybrid model: the agency reinforces launches and rebuilds, the in-house team handles maintenance. You avoid over-sizing the permanent headcount.
What is the hidden risk of insourcing?
Bus factor and turnover: a senior dev leaving can stall a project 3-4 months. An agency absorbs leave, absences and departures with no service interruption.
Does outsourcing cost more long term?
Not necessarily: with no fixed cost, you only pay for real projects. It becomes pricier only when volume justifies a permanent full-time role, i.e. beyond 3-4 continuous projects.
Let's scope your project. In-house vs outsourced trade-off, a portfolio of sites and an intranet, indicative budget by volume: give us your project count over 24 months and your roadmap. 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.
