The Four Options (And What They Really Cost)

Every contractor who wants a website faces the same four options. Here's what each one actually costs when you add it all up.

Option 1: DIY Website Builder (Wix, Squarespace, GoDaddy)

  • Monthly cost: $16-$45/month
  • Setup time: 10-40 hours of your time
  • Hidden costs: Domain ($15/year), premium templates ($50-$200), plugins, your own time
  • Total first year: $250-$750 + your time

The catch: You have to build it yourself. Most contractors start strong, get frustrated with the drag-and-drop editor, and end up with a half-finished site that looks worse than having nothing at all. Plus, these platforms know nothing about contractors — you're using a tool designed for restaurants, photographers, and yoga studios.

Option 2: Custom Web Designer

  • Upfront cost: $3,000-$10,000
  • Monthly maintenance: $100-$300/month
  • Timeline: 4-12 weeks to launch
  • Total first year: $4,200-$13,600

The catch: You pay a premium for a custom design, but you're locked in. Want to update your hours? That's a $50 change request. Want to add a new service? Another invoice. And if the designer disappears (it happens more than you'd think), you're stuck with a site nobody knows how to update.

Option 3: Predatory "Contractor Website" Companies

  • Monthly cost: $300-$500/month
  • Contract length: 12-24 months (locked in)
  • Total first year: $3,600-$6,000

The catch: These companies use cookie-cutter templates, own your domain, own your content, and lock you into long contracts. If you leave, you lose everything — your website, your reviews, even your phone number in some cases. This is the option we built ContractorLink to replace.

Option 4: Contractor-Specific Platform (Like ContractorLink)

  • Monthly cost: $49-$99/month
  • Setup time: Minutes, not months
  • Contract: Month-to-month, cancel anytime
  • Total first year: $588-$1,188

What you get: A professional site built specifically for contractors. SEO built in. Reviews, gallery, service areas, contact forms — all the things a contractor needs without the bloat you don't. You own your content. No lock-in. No surprise fees.

What Actually Matters More Than Price

The real question isn't "how much does it cost?" It's "how fast will it pay for itself?"

A $49/month website that brings in one new job per month is infinitely more valuable than a free website that nobody finds. The cheapest option isn't the one with the lowest price tag — it's the one with the highest return.

The Bottom Line

If you're handy with computers and have 20+ hours to spare, a DIY builder can work. If you have $5,000+ to invest and a designer you trust, custom is great. But for most contractors who want to be online fast, look professional, and not get ripped off, a contractor-specific platform is the sweet spot.