What drives the cost of a contractor website
Two websites can both be called "a contractor website" and differ in effort by ten times. These are the factors that really move the number:
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Number of pages | Each service, trade, location and project page needs planning, writing and design. A 5-page site and a 30-page site are different projects. |
| Content and copywriting | Writing clear service pages is often the slowest part. If you supply finished text it costs less; if we interview you and write it, it costs more but usually converts better. |
| Photography | Your own project photos are best. Organizing, editing and compressing a large library takes time; hiring a photographer is a separate cost. |
| Custom design vs. template | A template is quicker but looks like your competitors. A custom design takes longer and represents your company specifically. |
| Forms and features | Bid requests with file uploads, subcontractor registration, service requests, portals or calculators each add work. |
| Content management | If your office wants to update projects and pages without a developer, a CMS setup adds some upfront work. |
| Search optimization | Dedicated trade, service and location pages, structured data and search setup are extra scope beyond a basic site. |
| Integrations | Connecting to CRMs, scheduling tools, job boards or accounting software varies a lot by system. |
DIY builder, freelancer or studio?
| Option | Good for | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| DIY website builder | A brand-new company that needs something online this week. | Your time is the real cost. Templates look generic, and search performance depends on how much you learn. |
| Freelancer | A small, well-defined site with content ready. | Quality varies widely; check that they handle hosting, search setup and ongoing updates. |
| Design & development studio | Contractors who want a site that wins bids and ranks, and do not have time to manage it. | Higher upfront investment; you get planning, writing help, design, build and search setup in one place. |
The cheapest site is the one that brings in work. A single extra bid invitation from a good GC usually outweighs the difference between options.
How website pricing usually works
- Fixed project price. A defined scope for a defined price. Best when you know what you need.
- Hourly. Flexible for small changes and ongoing work, harder to budget for a full build.
- Monthly subscription. Lower upfront cost, but you may not own the site and you pay indefinitely.
- Retainers. Ongoing SEO and content work billed monthly.
How Web Drawing Web prices projects
We keep it simple and in writing:
- 1
A short discovery call
We learn about your trade, the work you want more of and what your current site is missing.
- 2
A written proposal
Fixed scope, timeline and price — with ownership and licensing spelled out — so there are no surprises.
- 3
50% to start, 50% at launch
Larger projects can use milestone payments instead.
- 4
Revisions included
Each package includes a set number of revision rounds; extra rounds are billed hourly.
- 5
Optional maintenance
Ongoing support and updates are available as a separate plan if you want them.
A typical website takes 2–4 weeks from kickoff to launch. Tell us about your project and we will send a proposal.
Ongoing costs to plan for
- Domain name renewal, usually yearly.
- Hosting. Modern static hosting for a fast marketing site is often inexpensive or free at small scale.
- Business email, if it is not already part of your office software.
- Maintenance and updates — new projects, services or seasonal changes.
- Search work over time: new pages and guides as your services grow.
How to keep costs down
- Collect your best 20–40 project photos before kickoff, with the building type and scope for each.
- Write down your services the way you would explain them to a new estimator.
- Decide which work you want more of — commercial, service, public — so pages focus on it.
- Prepare your licensing, insurance and certification details. Our subcontractor website checklist lists everything.