A client once asked me, “Can we just add a plugin and be done with it?” I get that question a lot.
The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all price tag — but there is a very real cost to ignoring accessibility. And it’s almost always more expensive than fixing the problem upfront.
So, what does it actually take to get a website ADA compliant?
What Drives the Cost of ADA Website Compliance?
It depends on your site’s size, complexity, and how far you already are from compliance. Here’s a breakdown of the real cost factors I see every day:
- Site audit: $1,000 to $5,000
Manual testing for screen readers, keyboard navigation, alt text, structure, etc. - Fixing code and design issues: $2,500 to $25,000
Depends on whether you’re fixing templates or rebuilding entire flows - Accessible documents and forms: $500 to $5,000
PDF remediation, form labeling, accessible downloads - Ongoing monitoring and updates: $500 to $1,500 per month
Accessibility isn’t a one-time fix — standards evolve, and content changes - Legal review and risk mitigation: Variable
If you’ve received a demand letter or want a defense strategy in place, the work gets more involved
Some clients can get compliant with $5K. Others need closer to $30K. The cost depends on where you’re starting and how much control you have over your tech stack.
What About the Cost of Not Doing Anything?
I’ve defended businesses hit with ADA complaints because their homepage had no alt text or their navigation broke under a screen reader. Here’s what they faced:
- Demand letter settlements: $5,000 to $50,000
- Legal fees: easily $10,000+
- Reputation damage: hard to measure, but very real
- Rushed accessibility work under threat of litigation: often more expensive than proactive fixes
Ignoring the issue doesn’t save money. It just postpones the bill — and adds interest.
Can’t I Just Use an Accessibility Plugin?
Some tools promise to “solve” ADA accessibility in one click. I’ve tested them. Most don’t come close.
They don’t fix poor code. They don’t write alt text for images that need context. And they don’t protect you from litigation — because the underlying site is still broken.
If you want actual compliance, it takes more than a widget.
What I Tell Business Owners
Treat accessibility like insurance: the upfront cost protects you from something worse. You don’t have to rebuild your site from scratch — but you do need a real audit, real fixes, and a team that knows what they’re doing.
Our ADA defense law firm works with business owners who want to stay ahead of legal risk. Whether you’re starting from scratch or responding to a complaint, we’ll help you move forward with clarity — and no wasted time.
Want to talk through what compliance might cost for your site? Contact us here, and we’ll lay it out for you in plain English.
