How much a contractor website costs in New Zealand

The short version

Our own starting points run from NZD 1,200 for reworking a quote form to NZD 6,800 for a new contractor site of eight to fifteen pages and NZD 7,500 for a redesign with a redirect map, plus GST where applicable. Other providers price differently, and a Christchurch web company notes that one agency might quote $5,000 and another $30,000. What matters is what each quote includes.

Why prices vary so much

Webmad, a web company in Christchurch, published an article in October 2025 on what a new website costs in New Zealand. It does not give a single range, but it makes the point that quotes for similar-sounding sites can differ widely, giving the example of one agency quoting $5,000 and another $30,000, and it places a simple brochure site of a few pages at the lower end. It is a commercial source, writing about its own market, and we cite it for that observation only.

The spread is real because "a website" can mean very different amounts of work. The useful question is not what a website costs but what the quote in front of you covers.

What drives the cost

Number of pages. Each service page, project page and area page has to be planned, written, laid out and checked. A site with five services and twelve projects is more work than one with three of each.

Writing. Someone has to turn your knowledge into clear pages. If you write the drafts, it costs less; if the provider writes them from interviews, it costs more. Beware quotes that assume the words will appear from nowhere.

Photos. Preparing project photos takes time: choosing, resizing, writing captions and alt text. Photography itself is extra unless the quote says otherwise.

Design. A layout drawn for your business costs more than a template with your logo added. Both can work; know which you are buying.

Forms and features. A simple quote form is quick. File uploads, booking calendars, payment and connections to job management software add work.

Moving an old site. A redesign needs an inventory of the old pages and a redirect map, which a brand-new site does not. The redesign guide explains why it is worth doing.

Checks. Testing on phones, with a keyboard and on the forms takes time. Check whether each quote includes it.

Our starting prices

These are the figures on our pricing page. Each is a starting point; your quote is fixed in writing before any deposit.

The lowest is NZD 1,200, for reworking a quote form, and the highest is NZD 7,500, for a redesign with a redirect map, plus GST where applicable. See the pricing page for each one and what it covers.

Extra work outside an agreed scope is charged at NZD 160 an hour, but only after you agree to it in writing.

GST

GST is 15% (Inland Revenue). A business must register for GST if its turnover from taxable activity was at least $60,000 in the last 12 months or is expected to be in the next 12, and can choose to register below that. Whether a quote should include GST depends on the supplier's registration, so check that every quote you compare states it the same way.

The Commerce Commission's guidance to businesses is that quotes and estimates should include GST. We state the GST treatment on each quote.

Running costs after launch

The build is not the only cost. Budget for:

• Domain name. An annual fee to keep your address.
• Hosting. Monthly or annual, depending on the provider and the site's needs.
• Email. If your email is on the same domain, it may be part of hosting or a separate service.
• Updates. Software, plugins and security updates, done by you or paid for.
• Changes. New projects, new services or price updates, if someone else makes them.

Keep the domain and hosting accounts in your own name, so you can move providers later without asking anyone's permission.

Comparing quotes

When you have more than one quote, line them up:

1. How many pages does each include, and which ones?
2. Who writes the words?
3. How many projects are set up, and who prepares the photos?
4. What does the form do, and where do enquiries go?
5. Is an old site moved, with redirects?
6. What testing is included?
7. Who owns the domain, hosting and site files at the end?
8. Is GST included, and what is the rate for extra work?

A low quote that leaves out writing, photos or redirects can end up costing more than a higher one that includes them.

Using the planner

The website project planner helps you list your services, projects, areas and features before asking for quotes. Sending the same list to every provider makes the quotes easier to compare.