The verdict in three sentences
In Toronto, a wealth management firm or family office that sends a two-line brief typically receives quotes from CAD 18,000 to 75,000 (about USD 13,000 to 55,000), which cannot be compared. A requirements document of 8 to 12 pages that sets audiences, pages, compliance sign-off, integrations listed one by one and acceptance criteria turns those gaps into something readable. On the Kolonell side, the same document maps directly to $4,900 (Growth) or $8,900 (Premium), with the client portal and CRM priced separately, on quote.
What should the requirements document contain?
| Section | What to write | Example for a Rosedale or Forest Hill family office |
|---|---|---|
| Goals and audiences | 2 or 3 measurable goals, priority audiences | reassure business owners and multigenerational families; get first-meeting requests |
| Pages and templates | page list, reusable templates | home, approach, services, team, governance, insights, contact: 12 to 18 pages |
| Content ownership | who writes, who approves, who signs off compliance | provider writes, partner approves, chief compliance officer signs off |
| Languages | languages and priority | English, then French; state whether more will follow |
| Integrations | one line per integration | client portal link, CRM, booking, newsletter |
| Accessibility | target level | WCAG 2.2 AA; check whether AODA applies to your organization |
| Data protection | form rules | minimal fields, consent, no account data; PIPEDA |
| Hosting and domain | account holder | domain, hosting and analytics in the firm's name |
| SEO migration | if a site exists | URL inventory, 301 redirect map |
| Acceptance and timeline | acceptance criteria, budget | target date, budget range, acceptance checklist |
Compliance. Marketing communications of registered firms fall under CIRO and the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC): no return promises, no performance figures outside a framework approved by your compliance team. Commercial email falls under CASL. This is not legal advice.
Vague or precise brief: what does it do to quotes?
2026 ballparks from typical Toronto agency quotes, converted approximately to USD.
| Brief item | Vague version | Precise version | Effect on quotes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pages | "a modern website" | 15 pages, 5 templates listed | spread cut from CAD 18,000 to 75,000 down to CAD 30,000 to 45,000 (about USD 22,000 to 33,000) |
| Client portal | "a client area" | a simple link to the custodian's existing portal | avoids CAD 10,000 to 40,000 of development the provider imagines |
| CRM | "connected to the CRM" | CRM name, fields passed, sync direction | integration priced on a separate line |
| Languages | "bilingual if possible" | English and French, 100% of pages | copywriting and review planned from day one |
| Compliance | not mentioned | 2 review cycles, 5 business days each | realistic schedule, fewer change orders |
| Accessibility | "accessible" | WCAG 2.2 AA, keyboard and screen reader tests | verifiable acceptance criterion |
| Content | "you write it" | 12 pages written by the provider, 3 supplied | copywriting cost made visible |
How do you score 3 quotes?
Score each criterion out of 5, multiply by the weight, add up. Illustrative example:
| Criterion (weight) | Quote A: Toronto agency, CAD 55,000 (about USD 40,000) | Quote B: freelancer, CAD 12,000 (about USD 8,800) | Quote C: Kolonell Growth, $4,900 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coverage of the requirements (30%) | 5 | 3 | 4 |
| Compliance sign-off process (20%) | 5 | 2 | 4 |
| Data and account ownership (15%) | 4 | 2 | 5 |
| Timeline (10%) | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Price (15%) | 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Post-launch support (10%) | 4 | 2 | 3 |
| Weighted score out of 5 | 4.00 | 2.70 | 4.20 |
Quote A math: 1.5 + 1.0 + 0.6 + 0.2 + 0.3 + 0.4 = 4.00. If you give 30% weight to in-person follow-up, the local agency may win: a legitimate choice for a firm that wants a partner on Bay Street or in Yorkville every month.
How does Kolonell's grid map to the checklist?
Starter at $2,900 covers a short single-language site; Growth at $4,900 covers the full structure of a wealth firm; Premium at $8,900 is the multilingual tier, with languages set in the quote. All include a project manager reachable on Eastern time, native English or French copywriting, delivery in 3 to 4 weeks and 3 months of support. The client portal link is included; CRM integration, connected booking and search work stay on quote. See the international offer.
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Mini case study
Illustrative example: Rosedale Ledger Partners, a family office serving three generations of an entrepreneurial family, 4 partners, in Toronto. First round with a two-line brief: quotes from CAD 18,000 to 75,000. After 12 hours of internal work on a 10-page requirements document, three comparable quotes: CAD 32,000, CAD 44,000 and Kolonell Premium (the multilingual tier, languages set in the quote) at $8,900, CRM on quote. Third-party costs: portraits of the 4 partners by a local photographer at USD 250 each, so USD 1,000. Known total on the Kolonell side: 8,900 + 1,000 = USD 9,900.
FAQ
How long does writing the requirements document take?
Plan on 8 to 15 hours for a firm of 3 to 10 people. The table above covers the 10 essential sections.
Should the document mention AODA?
Yes, at least as a question: its web requirements target Ontario organizations above certain thresholds. Targeting WCAG 2.2 AA in practice covers the level generally expected.
Does the client portal need rebuilding?
Rarely. In most cases, a secure link to the custodian's portal is enough, which avoids CAD 10,000 or more of development.
Can we publish performance on the site?
Only within the framework approved by your compliance team and CIRO and OSC rules. The requirements document should plan 2 review cycles.
How long between sending the document and going live?
About 1 to 2 weeks to receive and compare quotes, then 3 to 4 weeks of build with Kolonell once content is approved.
Let's scope your project. Send your requirements document, even partial, and get a quote aligned with the $2,900 to $8,900 grid, integrations listed separately, delivered in 3 to 4 weeks. See the international offer or request a free quote: detailed reply within 48 hours.
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.
