The verdict in three sentences
Offshore looks 2 to 4 times cheaper on the quote, but hidden costs (project management, back-and-forth, handover) sharply reduce the gap for an SME without a technical team. A nearshore French-speaking agency offers a strong middle ground for a bilingual FR/EN site, with French-native copy and a manageable time difference. A local Montreal agency is justified when you need frequent in-person workshops or deep knowledge of Quebec language rules.
Three quotes for the same scope
The owner of a 25-employee IT services SME in Montreal wants a bilingual FR/EN site of 20 pages with a blog, booking form and live chat integration. He compares three offers received in September 2026.
| Criterion | Montreal agency | Nearshore francophone agency | Offshore provider |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quote range | 15,000 to 35,000 CAD | 8,000 to 20,000 EUR | 3,000 to 7,000 USD |
| CAD equivalent (estimate) | 15,000 to 35,000 CAD | 12,000 to 30,000 CAD | 4,100 to 9,600 CAD |
| Time difference | 0 h | 4 to 5 h | 9 to 10 h |
| Working language | FR, EN | FR, EN | English |
| In-person meetings | Yes | Rare, paid travel | No |
| Native French copy (Bill 96) | Mastered | Mastered | Often outsourced |
| Stated timeline | 6 to 8 weeks | 8 to 10 weeks | 4 to 6 weeks |
Conversions use a 2026 order of magnitude of 1.5 CAD per EUR and 1.37 CAD per USD.
Taxes, currencies and code ownership
The quoted price is not the price paid. A Quebec agency charges GST and QST (14.975% combined), recoverable by a registered business. A foreign supplier generally does not charge them, but you may have to self-assess on imported services depending on your status, to confirm with your accountant. Add international wire fees and currency risk.
| Item | Montreal agency | Nearshore agency | Offshore |
|---|---|---|---|
| Selected quote | 25,000 CAD | 12,000 EUR (18,000 CAD) | 5,000 USD (6,850 CAD) |
| Sales taxes | Recoverable | Self-assessed if required | Self-assessed if required |
| Bank and FX fees (2 to 3%) | 0 CAD | 450 CAD | 170 CAD |
| Internal management (owner hours) | 20 h | 30 h | 60 h |
| Post-delivery fixes | 1,000 CAD | 1,500 CAD | 3,500 CAD |
| French version and localization | Included | Included | 3,000 CAD |
| Cost excluding internal time | 26,000 CAD | 19,950 CAD | 13,520 CAD |
On code ownership, always require an assignment of rights clause, access to a Git repository in your name and hosting opened under your company. This is often where low-cost offshore offers are weakest: with no repository or documentation, a handover to another provider costs 6,000 to 12,000 CAD.
How to decide
Choose offshore only if you have a technical lead able to write precise English specs and run acceptance tests. Prefer a local agency if your project requires weekly in-person workshops or heavy Quebec compliance work. For an SME that wants native French quality at a lower day rate, a nearshore francophone agency with overlapping morning hours is often the best balance.
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Marc, owner of an IT services SME in Montreal, values his time at 120 CAD per hour. Offshore: 13,520 CAD + 60 h x 120 CAD = 20,720 CAD. Nearshore: 19,950 CAD + 30 h x 120 CAD = 23,550 CAD. Local agency: 26,000 CAD + 20 h x 120 CAD = 28,400 CAD. Offshore, quoted 73% cheaper than the local agency, ends up only 7,680 CAD cheaper once management is counted, with a riskier handover. The nearshore option saves 4,850 CAD versus local while keeping native French copy.
FAQ
How much does an SME website cost in Montreal in 2026?
The order of magnitude is 15,000 to 35,000 CAD for a 15 to 30 page site. A full bilingual version usually adds 15 to 25% to the budget.
Can I pay a foreign supplier easily?
Yes, by international wire or a multi-currency account. Plan for 2 to 3% in fees and FX, and check whether you must self-assess sales taxes.
Is the time difference a real problem?
Beyond 5 h, synchronous work shrinks to 2 to 4 hours per day. Each approval round can then take an extra 24 h.
Who should own the domain name?
Your company, always. A domain registered in the supplier's name can block a migration for several weeks.
Can an offshore provider handle French content?
Some can, but native copy and proofreading are often outsourced. Budget 2,000 to 3,000 CAD if not included.
Let's scope your project. We price your bilingual FR/EN site with code and access in your name, from 8,000 to 18,000 EUR excl. tax, delivered in 6 to 8 weeks with overlapping working hours. 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.
