The verdict in three sentences
Web accessibility is not an aesthetic option: it is a growing legal obligation with a clear target, the WCAG 2.1 AA level, reinforced across the EU by the European Accessibility Act. As a 2026 order of magnitude in Dublin, the audit costs 2,500 to 6,000 EUR and remediation 4,000 to 12,000 EUR, with a conformance statement to publish. The risk is not only a penalty: an inaccessible site excludes a real share of your users and increasingly shows up in public tenders.
What an accessibility audit covers
A serious audit tests a representative sample of pages against the WCAG success criteria, with a measured conformance rate and an actionable report.
| Item | Indicative 2026 cost | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| WCAG audit (page sample) | 2,500-6,000 EUR | 1-2 weeks |
| Report + remediation plan | included | — |
| Technical remediation | 4,000-12,000 EUR | 3-4 weeks |
| Conformance statement | 500-900 EUR | — |
| Verification re-audit | 1,000-2,000 EUR | 1 week |
| Total AA conformance | 8,000-21,000 EUR | 4-6 weeks |
Remediation cost depends heavily on the starting state: a recent, well-built site needs few fixes, while an old bespoke site can blow the budget.
WCAG levels: A, AA, AAA
Not all obligations target the same level. Understanding the target avoids overpaying or under-delivering.
| Level | Requirement | Realistic for? |
|---|---|---|
| A | bare minimum | insufficient for compliance |
| AA | standard legal target | recommended objective |
| AAA | very demanding | rarely mandated in full |
| AA contrast | 4.5:1 ratio normal text | check at design time |
| Keyboard navigation | complete | blocking criteria |
| Text alternatives | images, media | often the bulk of the work |
The relevant target for almost every organisation is AA. Aiming for full AAA is rarely realistic and generally not required.
Mini case study
Thomas, digital lead of a public body near Dublin, must publish a conformance statement or face non-compliance. His site scores an estimated 62 %. Budget: audit 4,000 + remediation 8,000 + statement 700 + re-audit 1,500 = 14,200 EUR, over 5 to 6 weeks. Beyond the obligation, accessibility widens the audience to people with disabilities, a significant share of the population: the return is measured in service delivered and legal risk avoided, not only in euros.
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FAQ
What exactly is WCAG 2.1 AA?
It is the standard conformance level targeted by most obligations: sufficient contrast, full keyboard navigation, text alternatives, semantic structure. It is verified against the WCAG 2.1 AA success criteria.
Same provider for audit and remediation?
Not necessarily, but coupling audit and remediation is often more efficient. The final re-audit gains credibility if it is independent. Budget 1,000-2,000 EUR for that verification.
What is the risk without conformance?
Depending on applicable rules, penalties and above all exclusion from public tenders that require a conformance statement, plus reputational risk and user exclusion.
How long to become compliant?
Budget 4 to 6 weeks for a mid-sized site: audit, remediation, re-audit. A very old or complex site may take longer depending on the extent of fixes.
Do we re-audit every year?
Ongoing monitoring is recommended, especially after site changes. A conformance statement must stay current; a periodic control audit secures conformance over time.
Let's scope your project. Send us the site URL and the target level (usually AA): we frame the audit, remediation and timeline. 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.
