BY TIER
Cost by build tier
Four tiers cover almost every Canadian build. DIY and template platforms suit a landing page you can edit yourself. Freelancers scope small brochure sites at solo day rates. A studio — our tier — prices the full system: brand, conversion architecture, and a CMS your team can run without calling us. Enterprise builds add procurement, security review, and multi-team sign-off, which is why the number climbs past $60,000. Ranges below reflect quoted Canadian projects, 2024–2026.
| Tier | Price range (CAD) | Typical timeline | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY / template | $0–$2,500 | 1–3 weeks | Pre-revenue founders testing an idea |
| Freelancer | $2,500–$8,000 | 3–6 weeks | Simple brochure sites, single-owner budgets |
| Studio | $8,000–$42,000 | 6–10 weeks | Founders who need conversion, brand, and CMS ownership |
| Enterprise / in-house team | $60,000–$150,000+ | 3–6 months | Multi-stakeholder builds, complex integrations |
PRICE DRIVERS
What pushes the price up
Six line items move a quote from the low end to the high end fast. Payment gateways, CRM wiring, and booking systems each add $1,500–$5,000. Custom animation and motion design add hours a template skips entirely. A CMS with role-based permissions, multi-location content, or a headless setup adds build time on both ends. Every integration is a line item — ask for it itemized, not bundled.
- Custom integrations
- E-commerce checkout
- Custom animation
- Complex CMS logic
- Multi-language content
PRICE DRIVERS
What shrinks the price
A scoped MVP is the single biggest lever. Five pages beats fifteen. One language beats three. A design system built from a proven component library skips custom-component invention entirely. Stock photography instead of a shoot saves $1,000–$4,000. None of this is a downgrade — it's the difference between paying for scope you'll use and scope you won't.
- Templated systems
- Scoped MVP
- Single language
- Standard CMS
CANADA NOTES
The Canadian pricing picture
Most Canadian studios quote in CAD, but a share of the market — freelance marketplaces, offshore shops — quotes in USD, which adds 30–40% once converted. Add GST (5%) or HST (13–15% in Ontario and Atlantic Canada) on top of every quote; a $20,000 project lands closer to $22,600–$23,000 after tax. Regional day rates vary: Vancouver and Toronto studios run $125–$225/hour; Prairie and Atlantic studios run $85–$150/hour for comparable senior work. Free, no commitment. Takes 2 minutes. Ask any quote for its tax treatment and currency in writing before you sign — it's the most common surprise founders report.
SAMPLE PROJECTS
Sample projects priced out
These five briefs cover most of what actually lands in a Canadian founder's inbox. Real numbers, not padded estimates — see the medspa website cost and Shopify design cost breakdowns for the line-by-line math behind two of these rows.
| Project | Scope | Price range (CAD) |
|---|---|---|
| 5-page brochure site | Home, About, Services, Contact, one blog template | $8,000–$14,000 |
| Medspa booking site | Treatment pages, Jane App booking, before/after gallery | $14,000–$24,000 |
| B2B lead-gen site with CMS | 10–15 pages, case studies, gated content, CRM wiring | $18,000–$32,000 |
| Shopify storefront replatform | Custom theme, 50+ SKUs, Klaviyo, subscription flow | $24,000–$42,000 |
| Multi-location enterprise site | 20+ locations, headless CMS, SSO, security review | $60,000–$120,000+ |
FAQ
Common questions.
How much does a custom website cost in Canada?
Most custom websites in Canada cost $8,000–$42,000 through a studio, $2,500–$8,000 through a freelancer, and $60,000+ for enterprise builds with complex integrations. DIY/template sites run $0–$2,500.
Is website pricing in Canada quoted in CAD or USD?
Canadian studios typically quote in CAD. Some freelance marketplaces and offshore shops quote in USD, which adds 30–40% once converted at current exchange rates — always confirm currency in writing.
Does GST or HST apply to website design in Canada?
Yes. GST (5%) applies nationally; HST (13–15%) applies in Ontario and Atlantic Canada. Add this on top of any quoted price before comparing bids.
Why do studio quotes cost more than freelancers?
Studio pricing includes brand strategy, conversion architecture, QA, and CMS handoff — not just page assembly. A studio quote reflects a team, not an hour rate.
What's the cheapest way to get a professional-looking website?
A scoped 5-page MVP on a standard CMS, single language, stock imagery, keeps costs near $8,000–$14,000 — the templated end of the studio tier.
GO DEEPER
Before you brief a build
Compare the full math in DIY vs agency: total cost, see what a funded startup should budget in website redesign after funding, or check current pricing tiers before you request a quote.