The honest answer: it depends on who you hire and what you actually need. The range is huge — from a free Wix site you build yourself to $10,000+ from a full-service agency.
Here's a breakdown of the real options, what you get for the money, and what actually makes sense for a small trades business in Michigan.
Option 1: DIY (Free–$200/year)
Wix, Squarespace, Google Sites. You build it yourself, pay $15–$20/month for hosting, and spend a weekend getting it live.
- —A site that exists
- —Something to show people when they ask
- —A site that ranks on Google
- —Anything that converts visitors into calls
- —Local SEO that actually works
- —Someone to maintain it when something breaks
DIY sites look like DIY sites. They get you a web address. They don't get you jobs.
Option 2: Cheap Freelancer ($300–$800 one-time)
Someone on Fiverr or a local freelancer builds you something basic. You pay once, they disappear.
Same problem as DIY — you get a site that exists, not a site that works. No ongoing SEO, no updates, nobody to call when something breaks. In 6 months, the site looks dated and nobody's touched it.
Option 3: Mid-Level Freelancer or Small Agency ($1,500–$5,000)
This is where a lot of contractors land. Pay $2,000–$3,000 for a custom site, maybe get some basic SEO work included. Looks professional.
Better than cheap, but you're still paying a large upfront cost for something that doesn't come with ongoing support. When Google's algorithm changes, when your info needs updating, when something breaks — that's extra.
Option 4: Full-Service Agency ($5,000–$15,000+)
Full design agency charges for strategy, design, development, and an account manager you'll never talk to after launch. Overkill for a solo trades business. You're paying for overhead you don't need.
What a Small Trades Business Actually Needs
You don't need a $5,000 website. You need:
- —A fast, mobile-first site that looks professional
- —Your services and service areas stated clearly
- —A phone number people can tap to call
- —A contact form
- —Local SEO basics so Google knows who you are and where you work
- —Someone who keeps it updated
That's the whole formula. Nothing exotic. A 5-page site with these elements, maintained monthly, will outperform a $10,000 site that nobody touches after launch.
The Problem with One-Time Pricing
Most website projects are structured the wrong way for a trades business. You pay once, get a site, and you're on your own. But local SEO isn't a one-time thing. Google rewards active businesses — fresh content, updated info, consistent signals.
A site that nobody touches for 2 years will slowly fall in rankings. Your competitor who's actively maintaining their site will pass you.
What We Charge
CutLevel Studio charges $197 one-time to get started, then $297/month. That includes: custom 5-page website, contact form, domain and hosting, AI livechat that answers leads 24/7, Google review dispute management, domain linking, and monthly maintenance and SEO updates.
No contracts. Cancel anytime. One job covers your first year.
Book a free 15-minute call. We'll look at your current situation and tell you exactly what you need.
View Full Pricing Breakdown →Still deciding whether you even need a site? Read this first:
Why Every Metro Detroit Contractor Needs a Website →