The verdict in three sentences
For a dredging and marine works contractor in London, the website works first as a reference file for port authorities, developers and framework tenders. As a 2026 market ballpark, the grid runs from GBP 8,000 to 18,000 for an essential tier up to GBP 40,000 to 80,000 for a complete tier, before support of GBP 250 to 1,200 a month. The right tier depends on how many projects you need to document and how heavily bid teams rely on the site.
Why a dredging contractor needs a reference website
The managing director of a firm that carries out maintenance dredging, capital dredging and quay works on the Thames and around UK ports knows that buyers decide on evidence. A port engineer or consultant wants comparable projects: volumes removed, depths reached, duration, environmental constraints and plant used. The site needs 10 to 40 case studies with photos and video, a fleet section with vessel specifications, and an environmental compliance section explaining how you work under marine licences issued by the Marine Management Organisation or the relevant port authority. Bid teams also want a place to download accreditations and policy documents without emailing you.
The price grid by tier
| Element | Essential tier | Advanced tier | Complete tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 market ballpark | GBP 8,000 to 18,000 | GBP 18,000 to 40,000 | GBP 40,000 to 80,000 |
| Pages | 6 to 10 | 12 to 25 | 25 to 50 |
| Case studies | 10, photos only | 20 to 30, with video | 30 to 40, video and maps |
| Fleet and plant | One summary page | One page per vessel | Specs plus availability |
| Environmental compliance | One policy page | Section with method statements | Section plus monitoring reports by project |
| Tender documents | PDF brochure | Download library | Secure area per client |
| Indicative timeline | 4 to 6 weeks | 8 to 12 weeks | 12 to 20 weeks |
The essential tier fits a firm working mostly through repeat clients and direct invitations. The advanced tier pays off once you bid on public frameworks, where evaluators look you up before shortlisting. The complete tier is for groups with overseas operations or several subsidiaries.
Recurring costs to add
| Recurring item | 2026 market ballpark | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Support and maintenance | GBP 250 to 1,200 per month | Depends on tier and update volume |
| Hosting with backups | GBP 300 to 1,500 per year | Host video elsewhere to keep pages light |
| Domain name | GBP 15 to 40 per year | Registered to the company |
| New case studies | GBP 150 to 450 each | If your team does not publish them |
| Drone and site filming | GBP 900 to 2,500 per day | Flight permissions to plan |
| Accessibility audit | GBP 1,500 to 5,000 | Useful for public sector bids |
On compliance, your forms and any tender portal handle personal data under UK GDPR; the Information Commissioner's Office publishes the guidance to follow. Public sector buyers increasingly ask for WCAG 2.2 AA conformance, so write it into the brief rather than adding it later.
As a nearshore benchmark, here are Kolonell's prices: Starter at 1,220 to 1,830 EUR (800,000 to 1,200,000 FCFA, 5 pages), Growth at 1,830 to 3,050 EUR (8 to 12 pages, built in blog, 14 to 21 business days), Premium at 3,050 to 5,340 EUR (21 to 30 business days). Useful options: extra page about 40 EUR, extra language about 110 EUR, client area about 230 EUR. Kolonell's care plans are 53, 114 or 183 EUR a month.
Mini case study
Illustrative example, not a client: Tom, managing director of a 60 person marine contractor in Essex serving the Thames estuary. He picks the advanced tier at GBP 27,000, with 25 case studies, an environmental section and a tender download library, plus GBP 600 a month of support, or GBP 7,200 a year. His typical contract is worth GBP 1,800,000 at 7% margin, so GBP 126,000 per win. If the site helps secure one extra shortlist win every three years, the GBP 34,200 first year cost is repaid several times over.
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FAQ
Which tier suits public framework tenders?
The advanced tier, GBP 18,000 to 40,000, fits most contractors: 20 to 30 case studies and a download library. The essential tier is enough if your work comes mainly from repeat clients.
Should video be hosted on the website?
No. Host it on a video platform and embed it, otherwise each page weighs several megabytes and hosting costs 2 to 3 times more.
How many case studies should we publish at launch?
Around 15 well documented projects is enough, with volumes, duration and plant. Add 4 to 6 a year.
Can tender documents be public?
General accreditations and policies, yes; detailed references and financials, no. A secure area costs about 230 EUR at Kolonell and GBP 3,000 or more on the market depending on permissions.
What timeline should we plan?
From 4 to 6 weeks for the essential tier to 12 to 20 weeks for the complete tier, depending on how quickly photos and project data arrive.
Let's scope your project. Tell us how many projects you want to show, your compliance documents and an indicative budget, and we will propose the right tier, priced line by line with recurring costs. 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.
