Pricing Guide
Contractor Website Ownership Costs: Monthly vs. One-Time
The initial quote is only part of a website budget. Hosting, content edits, support, and what happens when you leave can matter just as much over the next few years.
This guide focuses on ongoing cost and ownership. If you are comparing builders, freelancers, agencies, and managed plans before commissioning a site, start with our contractor website purchase guide.
Compare the same scope over the same period
Use a simple calculation: initial build + recurring charges + agreed extras. Keep domain renewals, optional services, taxes, and advertising separate so you know what is included in each quote.
Here is the arithmetic using Zero Degree Media’s published starting prices. These are budget illustrations, not a quote for a particular project. They assume the starting rate stays unchanged and exclude domain costs, taxes, advertising, and separately scoped work.
| Route | 12 months | 24 months | 36 months |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter at $97/mo | $1,164 | $2,328 | $3,492 |
| Pro at $147/mo | $1,764 | $3,528 | $5,292 |
| Full Build from $2,950 + optional $49/mo Care Plan | $3,538 | $4,126 | $4,714 |
Starter and Pro have different features. A Full Build is quoted for its scope, so the lowest total does not by itself identify the right option. With a Full Build you can also arrange your own hosting instead of taking the Care Plan; obtain that hosting and support quote before comparing totals.
What a monthly subscription covers
Starter includes a custom website of up to five pages, hosting, SSL, on-page SEO foundations, routine content edits, and support. Pro adds booking or quote-request integration and the additional scope described on the pricing page.
Monthly plans have no separate setup fee or long-term contract. The first month starts the build. Hosting continues through the paid billing period after cancellation.
A monthly plan licenses the website during the subscription. It does not transfer the code, layout, or structure to you when you cancel. You keep the content you supplied. Read the ownership and cancellation terms before choosing a payment route.
What changes with a one-time Full Build
The Full Build starts at $2,950. You own the delivered website upon full payment; our reusable framework and toolkit remain ours. Hosting and ongoing changes need their own arrangement. The optional Care Plan starts at $49/mo, or you can host the delivered website yourself.
A one-time build can suit an owner who wants control of the delivered site and can budget for ongoing support. A subscription can suit an owner who prefers an ongoing service relationship. Neither payment structure guarantees search rankings or inquiries.
Costs to ask about before signing
- Domain: Who registers it, who controls the account, and when does it renew?
- Hosting and SSL: Are these included, and what happens after cancellation?
- Routine edits: Are changed hours, project photos, and contact details included?
- New scope: How are extra pages, integrations, copy, or a redesign quoted?
- Third-party services: Who pays for booking tools, email, licenses, and payment processing?
- Handoff: Which files and accounts transfer, and which stay licensed?
Do not assume that a low upfront price includes every future change. Ask for a written scope and an explanation of the exit process.
Budget for measurement without inventing a return
A website can make it easier to show work and receive inquiries, but you should not treat every form event as a paying customer. Track accepted submissions, then record whether those inquiries become qualified estimates and completed jobs. Compare actual acquisition costs when you have enough evidence.
For the initial build decision, use the website purchase guide. For your own scope, compare plans or send project details.
