Plumbers and electricians don't need a fancy portfolio site with twelve case studies. You need a site that loads on a phone, shows what you do, covers the areas you serve, and makes it stupidly easy to call or enquire.
That's it. Most "agency" websites for trades overcomplicate this — and overcharge for it.
What a trades website must include
- Clear services — what you actually do (and what you don't)
- Service areas — suburbs or regions in plain English
- Trust signals — licence info, years in business, reviews if you have them
- Click-to-call + contact form — mobile first
- Fast load — if it lags, they call the next tradie on Google
Optional later: suburb pages, gallery, emergency CTA, local SEO. Not required on day one.
How much should a plumber or electrician spend?
| Option | Typical cost | Fit |
|---|---|---|
| DIY builder | $200–$600/year | Fine for testing, often looks DIY |
| Professional brochure site | $1,500–$3,000 | Credible presence, services and service areas covered |
| Custom trade website | $2,500–$8,000+ | When you want to compete harder for search & leads |
Budget for hosting and maintenance on top — see our website cost guide for Australia for the full AUD breakdown. Melbourne tradies can start with our tradie website design service.
Why tradies put this off
Usually it's not money — it's hassle. Moodboards, endless revisions, "what's your brand personality?" You don't need that to get online.
Send your logo, photos, services and suburbs, and a good designer can take it from there. See our tradie website design guide for Melbourne.
When to go custom instead
Choose custom website design if you're pushing hard into new suburbs, running ads, or need a site that actively generates leads beyond referrals. Pair it with SEO when you're ready to own the searches.
Not sure which fork? Read our website cost guide for Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do plumbers and electricians still need a website in 2026?
Yes. Even referral-heavy trades get checked online before the call. A clean site builds trust; no site creates doubt.
What's the minimum viable tradie website?
Home, services, about, contact — with phone and form on mobile. That's enough to start.
How fast can I get a trade website live?
A focused brochure site is usually 2–3 weeks from kickoff, assuming your logo, photos and service list are ready to go.
Should I put prices on my website?
Optional. Many trades prefer "free quote" CTAs. What matters more is clear services, areas and an easy way to enquire.