The verdict in three sentences
For a structural engineering consultancy with 15 engineers, the right 2026 budget sits between 4,500 and 12,000 EUR excl. VAT with a local agency, with a timeline of 6 to 10 weeks. A developer or a public client is reassured first by technical proof: references filterable by building type, team capacity, software, accreditations and professional indemnity cover. A 30 EUR per month site builder gets you online, not onto a tender shortlist.
What a client checks before calling you
A project manager at a housing body or local authority typically compares 4 to 6 consultancies before issuing a tender. They want to confirm in under two minutes that you handle their type of structure (6-storey residential blocks, public buildings, bridges, refurbishment of older stock) and that you have the capacity to deliver calculations and construction drawings on their schedule.
The content that really weighs in the decision:
- Classified references by structure type, construction value, stage of work (design, detailed design, site supervision) and client.
- Capacity sheet: headcount, engineers and technicians, software (Robot, Graitec Advance, Revit, Tekla), BIM skills.
- Accreditations and up-to-date professional indemnity certificates, downloadable.
- Differentiating expertise: low-carbon concrete, energy regulations, timber-concrete hybrid structures, assessment and strengthening.
- Direct contact with a partner or department head, not a generic form.
2026 prices: options compared
Indicative 2026 market ranges, excluding VAT:
| Option | Upfront budget | Timeline | Monthly maintenance | Fit for a 15-person consultancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online builder (Wix, Squarespace) | 0 to 500 EUR + 30 EUR/month | 1 to 3 weeks | Included in subscription | Low: references poorly structured |
| WordPress freelancer | 2,000 to 5,000 EUR | 4 to 8 weeks | 50 to 120 EUR | Fair if you supply the content |
| Local web agency | 4,500 to 12,000 EUR | 6 to 10 weeks | 80 to 200 EUR | Good: content and SEO support |
| Construction-specialist agency | 9,000 to 18,000 EUR | 8 to 12 weeks | 150 to 300 EUR | Very good but expensive |
| Kolonell, Growth package | 1,830 to 3,050 EUR (1,200,000 to 2,000,000 FCFA) | 6 to 8 weeks | 50 to 180 EUR | Good: fast Next.js site, filterable references |
| Kolonell, Premium package | 3,050 to 5,340 EUR (2,000,000 to 3,500,000 FCFA) | 8 to 10 weeks | 110 to 180 EUR | Very good: animations, advanced SEO, multiple divisions |
Kolonell maintenance follows the 35,000, 75,000 or 120,000 FCFA per month grid, roughly 50, 110 or 180 EUR.
The scope items that move the price
| Feature | Indicative 2026 agency surcharge | Value for a consultancy |
|---|---|---|
| Filterable reference database (30 to 80 projects) | 1,200 to 3,000 EUR | Essential for shortlists |
| Project pages with site photos and key figures | 80 to 150 EUR per written page | Strong technical credibility |
| Document area (certificates, insurance, accreditations) | 600 to 1,500 EUR | Saves time on every tender |
| Careers page with structured openings | 500 to 1,200 EUR | Structural engineers are scarce |
| Second language version | 1,000 to 2,500 EUR | Useful for foreign groups and industrial clients |
| BIM or 3D model viewer | 1,500 to 4,000 EUR | Showcase effect, rarely decisive |
The most underestimated item is writing the reference pages. Consultancies rarely have ready-made texts: allow 2 to 3 engineer-days to gather photos, values and stages, or have it written for you.
Mini case study
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Illustrative scenario: Conor, managing director of a 15-engineer reinforced concrete consultancy in Dublin, responds to about 40 tenders a year. Each submission costs him 3 hours of collecting references and certificates, 120 hours a year. With a structured website and a document area, he expects to cut this to 1 hour per submission, saving 80 hours. At a loaded engineer cost of 65 EUR per hour, that is 5,200 EUR per year. An 8,000 EUR agency site pays for itself in 18 months on this item alone, before counting extra tenders won. With a Growth package at 3,050 EUR, payback drops below 8 months.
FAQ
What is the minimum budget for a credible structural consultancy website?
Allow at least 2,000 EUR excl. VAT with a skilled freelancer and 4,500 EUR with a local agency. Below that, references are rarely structured and the site does not stand up against a well-presented competitor.
How long does it take to go live?
The usual timeline is 6 to 10 weeks. The bottleneck is almost always gathering references and site photos, which takes the consultancy 2 to 4 weeks.
Should we show construction values on references?
Yes, at least as bands (under 2 M EUR, 2 to 10 M EUR, over 10 M EUR). Public clients first filter on your ability to manage projects of comparable size.
Is local SEO useful for an engineering consultancy?
Yes for searches such as "structural engineer Dublin" or "structural survey Leinster", which bring a few dozen searches a month. A complete Google Business Profile and 5 to 10 targeted pages are often enough.
What does annual maintenance cost?
Between 960 and 2,400 EUR excl. VAT per year with an agency (80 to 200 EUR per month), covering updates, backups and small edits. At Kolonell, 50 to 180 EUR per month depending on the level.
Let's scope your project. Send us your reference list and accreditations: we will price a Growth or Premium site with a filterable reference database, budget 1,830 to 5,340 EUR, delivered in 6 to 10 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.
