The verdict in three sentences
For an architecture practice that lives on public design competitions, the website is part of the bid, just like the reference list. A premium portfolio rebuild costs 6,500 to 14,000 EUR excluding VAT for 25 project pages, versus 2,000 to 3,500 EUR for an adapted theme. The gap pays for itself as soon as one extra design commission is won over three years.
Adapted theme or custom rebuild: what you are really buying
Competition juries, client-side project managers and public works departments open your site before the shortlisting stage. Based on feedback from practices we work with, roughly 70% of juries check references online, often on a phone between meetings. A site with an LCP above 4 seconds signals a practice that lacks rigour, which is the opposite of what you sell.
| Criterion | Adapted WordPress theme | Custom portfolio rebuild |
|---|---|---|
| Initial budget (2026 estimate) | 2,000 to 3,500 EUR | 6,500 to 14,000 EUR |
| Project pages | 10 to 15, single template | 25, templates per building type |
| Mobile speed (LCP) | 3.5 to 5 s | 1.2 to 2 s |
| Filters (programme, client, status) | Basic or none | Programme, floor area, year, winner or commendation |
| Competition records (jury, rank, construction value) | Free text | Structured fields, PDF export |
| Time to launch | 3 to 4 weeks | 8 to 12 weeks |
| Monthly maintenance | 40 to 90 EUR | 90 to 180 EUR |
The real differentiator is the structured project record: client, construction value, floor area, scope of services, competition ranking. That data then feeds a PDF export of your references, saving time on every bid.
Budget lines of a successful rebuild
The price of an architect's website depends less on page count than on image quality and data structure. Here is a typical breakdown for a 12-person practice with 40 delivered projects and about ten competitions.
| Line item | 2026 range | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Strategy and sitemap workshop | 800 to 1,500 EUR | Two half-days with the partners |
| Art direction and mock-ups | 1,800 to 3,500 EUR | Editorial grid, typography, image rhythm |
| Development and CMS | 2,500 to 6,000 EUR | Project templates, filters, PDF export |
| Photo shoot of 4 to 6 buildings | About 1,200 EUR | Regional architectural photographer, one day |
| Image optimisation (WebP, AVIF) and SEO | 600 to 1,200 EUR | Essential to keep LCP under 2 s |
| Entry and rewriting of 25 project records | 600 to 1,800 EUR | Often underestimated by practices |
| Maintenance and hosting | 90 to 180 EUR/month | Updates, backups, monitoring |
Two mistakes come up often. The first is publishing 8 MB renderings, which wrecks mobile speed. The second is leaving competition records as free text, which prevents filtering by programme (schools, social housing, sports facilities).
What the jury looks for, and how the site should answer
A competition jury wants to check three things in a few minutes: relevant references on a comparable programme, the team's ability to hold a budget and architectural quality. The site should let them filter "schools, construction value between 3 and 8 million EUR" and immediately show results with a strong photo, the client and the completion year.
Add a team page with skills per partner (sustainability, BIM, heritage), an awards page (regional prizes, publications) and a "current competitions" section you update yourself. Accessibility compliance is not mandatory for a private practice, but good contrast and alt text on images reassure public buyers, who are bound by these rules themselves.
Mini case study
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Claire, managing partner of a 12-person practice in Dublin, wins on average 2 competitions out of 18 bids a year. Her average fee per commission is 180,000 EUR. She invests 11,000 EUR in a rebuild, plus 1,200 EUR for photography and 150 EUR/month for maintenance, about 17,600 EUR over three years.
If the rebuild lifts her shortlisting rate from 25% to 30% and that translates into just one extra commission over three years, the fee gain is 180,000 EUR for 17,600 EUR invested, a 1 to 10 ratio. The time saved on bids through the PDF reference export, estimated at 3 hours per bid, adds 54 hours a year.
FAQ
How much does an architecture practice website cost in 2026?
Budget 2,000 to 3,500 EUR for an adapted theme and 6,500 to 14,000 EUR for a custom portfolio rebuild with 25 project pages. Photography, around 1,200 EUR, is usually billed separately.
How long does a full rebuild take?
Plan 8 to 12 weeks, including 2 to 3 weeks to enter project records. Start at least 3 months before a busy competition season.
Does site speed really affect competitions?
Yes, because most visits happen on mobile. An LCP above 4 seconds loses part of the audience, while an optimised site loads in under 2 seconds with WebP or AVIF images.
Can a reference PDF be generated automatically?
Yes, if project records are structured. An export module usually costs 800 to 1,500 EUR and saves about 3 hours per bid.
What maintenance budget should we plan?
Between 90 and 180 EUR per month for updates, backups and monitoring. Add a few hours per quarter if you want to delegate publishing new projects.
Let's scope your project. Send us your reference list and upcoming competitions: we will price a portfolio rebuild between 6,500 and 14,000 EUR, delivered in 8 to 12 weeks. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
