SiteNestAsk 10 web designers what a tradie website costs and you'll get 10 different answers. We know because we asked.
We reached out to 47 agencies that build websites for tradies. The quotes ranged from $500 to $15,000. Same type of website. Same number of pages. Wildly different prices.
So what gives? And more importantly, how do you know if you're overpaying?
Let's break it down.
The four pricing tiers
In the Australian market, tradie websites fall into four rough categories:
What you'll find out there
None of these is inherently wrong. They solve different problems for different people. Let's look at what you're actually getting at each level.
DIY builders: $0 to build, $20-50/month
Wix. Squarespace. GoDaddy. You pick a template, drag some boxes around, and publish.
What you get:
- Full control over design and content
- Low monthly cost
- No one to wait on for changes
What you don't get:
- Help with SEO (it won't rank itself)
- Mobile optimisation (many templates look broken on phones)
- A site that looks different from the 50,000 others using the same template
- Your time back (expect 20-40 hours to build something decent). We go deeper on this in our best website builder for tradies guide.
The hidden cost
Best for: Tradies who genuinely enjoy tinkering with tech and have time to learn the tools.
Template agencies: $500 to $3,000
These agencies use the same templates for every client. They swap in your logo, your photos, your text, and hand it over.
What you get:
- A professional looking site without doing it yourself
- Fast turnaround (usually 1-2 weeks)
- Lower upfront cost than custom
What you don't get:
- A unique design (you'll look like 20 other tradies)
- Ongoing support (they hand it over and move on)
- SEO help (usually not included)
- Updates after launch (that's extra)
The catch
Best for: Tradies who need something basic and don't plan to update it often.
Custom agencies: $5,000 to $15,000+
These are the big agencies. They design from scratch, build custom features, and charge accordingly.
What you get:
- A completely unique design
- Custom functionality if you need it
- Professional project management
- A team of designers and developers
What you don't get:
- A fast turnaround (expect 6-12 weeks)
- Ongoing help without extra fees
- Someone who answers when you call
- Updates included (changes are billed separately)
Most tradies don't need a $10,000 custom website. They need a $49/month site that works while they're on the tools.
Best for: Established businesses with complex needs, large teams, or specific functionality requirements. Also: tradies with $10k+ they don't mind spending upfront.
The subscription model: From $49/month +GST
This is newer. Instead of paying $5k upfront, you pay a monthly fee and everything is handled for you. The site, the hosting, the SEO, the updates. That's exactly the model behind SiteNest. Built by a recognised Google Developer Expert, purpose-designed for Australian trades.
What you get:
- Professional site custom-built for your trade
- Hosting, updates, and security included
- Changes whenever you need them
- SEO and Google Business Profile managed
- A real person who picks up the phone
Worth knowing:
- There's usually a minimum term (the site would cost $5k+ as a one-off, so they need time to make the numbers work)
- After that, most providers will hand over the source code if you leave
- Less flexibility than a fully custom build (it's purpose-built for tradies, not a blank canvas)
Best for: Tradies who want a site that works without thinking about it. Your time is better spent on the tools.
The real cost breakdown
Here's what most people miss: the upfront price is only part of the story.
A website isn't a one-time purchase. It's an ongoing thing. You need:
- Hosting: $10-100/month depending on quality
- Domain: $15-50/year
- SSL certificate: Free to $200/year
- Security updates: Someone has to do them
- Content changes: New photos, new services, new areas
- Google Business Profile: Posts, reviews, updates
Let's compare total cost over 2 years:
| $5,000 one-off agency | $49-99/mo +GST subscription | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | $5,000 | $0 |
| Hosting (2 years) | $1,200 | Included |
| SSL + Domain | $200 | Included |
| 3 content updates | $600 (@ $200 each) | Included |
| SEO / Google Business | Extra ($200-500/mo) | Included |
| Total 2-year cost | $7,000-19,000 | $1,176-2,376 +GST |
| Ongoing relationship | Project ends at handover | Monthly check-ins |
The subscription model is significantly cheaper over two years, and you're getting ongoing service the entire time. Hosting, updates, SEO, support. All in.
The real difference
What to look for in a good quote
After talking to hundreds of tradies about their websites, here's what separates a solid quote from a vague one:
- Clear scope and pricing. You should know exactly what you're getting and what it costs. Line items, not ballpark figures.
- Specific SEO plan. Ask them to walk you through it. Keywords, local pages, Google Business. The good ones can explain it in plain English. If you're currently spending on lead platforms, compare the numbers with our HiPages vs your own website breakdown.
- They handle the content. A quality provider writes the copy and sources the images. You just review and approve.
- A firm timeline. "We'll have your site live by [date]." That's what you want to hear.
- Examples of tradie sites. Ask to see 3-5 sites they've built for trades like yours. You'll know straight away if they understand the industry.
- Clear change policy. How much do updates cost after launch? Are they included? What's the turnaround?
Questions to ask before signing
No matter which option you choose, get clear answers to these:
- What's the total cost for the first year? (Including hosting, domain, updates)
- What happens if I need a change after launch?
- Who handles hosting and security?
- Can I see 3 tradie websites you've built?
- What do you do for SEO, specifically?
- What's your response time if something breaks?
- What happens if I want to leave?
Any good agency should answer these without getting defensive. If they dodge, keep looking.
The bottom line
There's no single right answer. The "best" option depends on your budget, your time, and what you actually need.
But here's what we'd say after talking to hundreds of tradies:
- If you're handy with tech and have time: DIY
- If you just need a basic placeholder: Template agency
- If you have $10k+ and complex needs: Custom agency
- If you want something that works without you managing it: Subscription
Most tradies fall into that last category. You've got a business to run. The website should run itself. Still not sure if you even need one? Here's our honest take on whether tradies actually need a website.
Want to see what we'd build for you? Free mockup, no commitment. We'll show you exactly what you'd get before you decide anything.
Note: Pricing ranges are based on our research of the Australian web design market in late 2025. Individual quotes may vary based on scope, location, and provider.