The verdict in three sentences
For a solar EPC company in Toronto, redesigning an existing site costs 10,000 to 15,000 CAD in 2026, while a rebuild with savings calculator and case studies costs 18,000 to 25,000 CAD. The decision rule is simple: if more than 40 % of pages need rewriting, or if the site cannot host a calculator, start from scratch. In both cases, managed hosting runs about 60 to 120 CAD per month.
The diagnosis: does your 2019 site still hold up?
An EPC that has installed several MW (commercial rooftops, warehouses in the GTA, farms, community solar) sells on proof. CFOs and procurement teams compare quantified references: capacity, annual yield, savings on the Ontario electricity bill, payback period and available incentives. A site without these leaves room for competitors.
| Diagnostic criterion | Redesign is enough | Rebuild needed |
|---|---|---|
| Pages to rewrite | Under 40 % | Over 40 % |
| CMS and tech stack | Current, maintainable | Abandoned theme, outdated plugins |
| Mobile speed | Under 3 seconds | Over 5 seconds |
| Adding a calculator | Possible without breaking things | Impossible or fragile |
| SEO structure (URLs, service pages) | Coherent | Disorganized, no segment pages |
| French version (Quebec, federal bids) | Can be added | Not planned |
| Current organic traffic | Over 500 visits/month to protect | Negligible |
If three or more criteria fall in the right column, a rebuild often ends up cheaper than a redesign that redoes everything anyway.
The two options compared in CAD
| Item | Redesign | Rebuild |
|---|---|---|
| Audit and site structure | 1,000 to 1,500 CAD | 1,500 to 2,500 CAD |
| Design | Brand refresh, 3,000 to 4,500 CAD | Full design, 4,500 to 6,000 CAD |
| Copy and segment pages (C&I, residential, agricultural) | 3,000 to 4,500 CAD | 4,000 to 5,500 CAD |
| 6 quantified case studies | 2,000 to 3,000 CAD | 2,500 to 3,500 CAD |
| Solar savings calculator | Rarely possible | 4,500 to 6,000 CAD |
| French version | 1,000 to 1,500 CAD | 1,000 to 1,500 CAD |
| Total | 10,000 to 15,000 CAD | 18,000 to 25,000 CAD |
| Timeline | 3 to 4 weeks | 6 to 8 weeks |
| Hosting and maintenance | 60 to 120 CAD/month | 60 to 120 CAD/month |
The calculator is what tips the decision. The prospect enters monthly electricity spend, roof area and daytime load, and gets a recommended system size, estimated yield (about 1,150 to 1,300 kWh per kWp per year in southern Ontario) and indicative payback. They then leave contact details for a detailed study.
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Mini case study
David, director of a solar EPC in Toronto, gets 6 qualified requests a month through his 2019 site, with 1 turning into an average 450,000 CAD project at an 18 % margin. The audit shows 60 % of pages to rewrite: he chooses a rebuild at 22,000 CAD. With the calculator and 6 case studies, qualified requests reach 14 a month within six months. If he signs one extra project per quarter, he adds 4 projects a year, or 324,000 CAD of gross margin. The site pays for itself with the first extra project, which brings in 81,000 CAD of margin.
FAQ
Can we keep our domain and current rankings? Yes, even with a rebuild. You keep the domain and set up 301 redirects from every old URL, which preserves most organic traffic within 4 to 8 weeks.
Should the calculator show a price? A range is enough, for example 2.00 to 2.80 CAD per watt installed depending on size and storage. Exact pricing stays in the study, which drives the contact.
Do we need a page for public and utility tenders? Yes, a "funded projects" page with references, certifications and technical capacity helps pass prequalification. Budget 1,000 to 1,800 CAD more if it is not planned.
How much does hosting cost? About 60 to 120 CAD a month with backups, SSL and updates, so 720 to 1,440 CAD a year.
Let's scope your project. Send us your current site address: we will run the redesign vs rebuild diagnosis and price the calculator, indicative budget 10,000 to 25,000 CAD, delivered in 3 to 8 weeks. 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.
