The verdict in three sentences
For a Houston structural engineering consultancy with around 22 engineers, a website with a filterable project portfolio costs between USD 12,000 and 20,000 in 2026, for 40 to 60 project sheets and a careers page. The stakes are commercial: around 70% of public owners check references online before shortlisting an engineering firm, and developers do the same before sending an RFP. Plan for 8 weeks of work, half of it spent writing project sheets, and US hosting at about USD 20 to 40 per month.
References: the content that wins RFPs
A public owner or developer does not choose an engineering firm based on a tagline. They look for projects comparable to their own: same building type (multifamily, schools, healthcare, industrial, bridges), same material (reinforced concrete, post-tensioned concrete, steel, mass timber), same construction value range. A filterable portfolio answers exactly that question in a few clicks.
| Project sheet field | Example | Value for the buyer |
|---|---|---|
| Building type | Elementary school, 40 classrooms | Filter by use |
| Owner | ISD, county, private developer | Gauge public sector experience |
| Scope | Design, construction documents, peer review, forensic assessment | Check the services delivered |
| Material | Post-tensioned concrete, structural steel, CLT | Validate technical expertise |
| Construction value | USD 18M | Set the project scale |
| Year and status | Completed 2025 | Prove recency |
| Visuals | 3 to 6 photos, drawings or BIM model | Make the reference credible |
With 40 to 60 sheets structured this way, the site becomes a reusable pitch for every Statement of Qualifications: you link to it from the SOQ, and the selection committee finds the evidence online. Get written consent from private owners before naming them.
2026 budget: simple site, portfolio or full redesign
The figures below are 2026 market estimates for Houston agencies and freelancers, to be confirmed by quote.
| Package | 2026 budget (estimate) | Timeline | Content |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6-page site on a theme | USD 4,000 to 7,000 | 3 to 4 weeks | About, services, contact, few references |
| Site + filterable portfolio | USD 12,000 to 20,000 | 8 weeks | 40 to 60 project sheets, filters, careers page |
| Redesign with sheet copywriting | USD 20,000 to 30,000 | 10 to 12 weeks | Project manager interviews, writing and SEO |
| Site photography | USD 1,200 to 2,500 per day | 1 to 2 days | Visuals of completed projects |
| US hosting | USD 20 to 40 per month | Ongoing | US server, SSL, backups |
| Annual maintenance | USD 1,500 to 3,500 per year | Ongoing | Updates, security, adding sheets |
The gap between USD 12,000 and 20,000 comes mainly from how many sheets the agency enters versus your team, the number of filters and the design level. A good compromise is to have the agency enter the 20 most strategic sheets, then train an assistant to add the rest through the CMS.
Recruitment: the site's second job
In Houston, competition for structural engineers is intense with large engineering firms and the energy sector hiring. A careers page showing current projects, onboarding path and software used (RISA, ETABS, SAP2000, Revit, Tekla) helps convince candidates.
| Careers page element | Estimated added cost | Expected effect |
|---|---|---|
| Job listings managed in the CMS | USD 800 to 1,500 | Publish without a vendor |
| Engineer profiles (text and photo) | USD 600 to 1,200 | Put faces on the team |
| Application form with resume upload | USD 500 to 1,000 | Centralised applications |
| Job posting structured data | USD 400 to 800 | Visibility in Google for Jobs |
| Internship and co-op page | USD 400 to 800 | Pipeline from Texas A&M, UH and Rice |
Mini case study
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Mark, principal of a 22-engineer structural consultancy in Houston (illustrative example), answers 30 public RFQs a year with a 20% win rate, so 6 contracts won with average fees of USD 60,000.
He invests USD 17,000 in a site with 50 project sheets, plus USD 360 a year for hosting. If better visibility of references lifts his win rate from 20% to 23%, he wins about one extra contract a year, worth USD 60,000 in fees. The site pays for itself with that first extra contract. On top of that, the team no longer rebuilds reference lists for every submission: about 3 hours saved per RFQ, or 90 hours a year.
FAQ
How many project sheets do we need at launch?
Aim for at least 25 to 30 sheets covering your main building types, then grow to 40 to 60 within six months. Beyond 60, filtering by material and owner becomes essential.
Can we publish projects delivered as a subconsultant?
Yes, as long as you state your exact scope and the prime consultant. Selection committees check this more and more, and 1 misattributed reference can weaken a submission.
Why host in the United States?
For load speed and to reassure public owners on data location. The extra cost is small: about USD 20 to 40 per month versus USD 5 to 10 for basic shared hosting.
Can the site display BIM models?
Yes, through screenshots or an embedded 3D viewer. Expect USD 1,500 to 4,000 more for an interactive viewer, best kept for 5 or 6 flagship projects.
What timeline if the sheets still need writing?
About 8 weeks if you supply raw content, 10 to 12 weeks if the agency interviews your project managers. Writing often takes 40% of total time.
Let's scope your project. Tell us how many references you want to publish, your hiring priorities and your deadline, and we will propose a scope and indicative budget for an engineering firm. 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.
