The verdict in three sentences
For an Austin architecture firm, a redesign is due when the portfolio takes more than 5 seconds to load on a phone, when every new project needs a developer, or when the contact form qualifies nothing. Typical Austin agency quotes for a portfolio-led redesign run around USD 15,000 to 45,000 in 2026, while Kolonell delivers on a fixed grid of USD 2,900, 4,900 or 8,900 in 3 to 4 weeks once content is ready. The real risk is not visual: it is losing search visibility and image quality during migration, which is why the 301 redirect map and the image pipeline deserve more attention than the mood board.
What signals that your firm's website needs a redesign?
An architect's website ages faster than most, because the portfolio grows every year and the photography gets heavier. These are the signals we see most often with Austin firms, whether they work on residential in East Austin, mixed-use around South Congress or hospitality Downtown.
| Signal | What you see | What it costs you |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy portfolio | 3 to 8 MB images, mobile load above 5 s | Prospects leave before seeing your work |
| Locked project pages | Every addition goes through a developer, 1 to 3 weeks of lag | Completed projects stay invisible for months |
| No filter by building type | Residential, mixed-use and hospitality in one grid | Developers and homeowners cannot find relevant references |
| Scattered press archive | Orphan PDFs, dead links to magazines | Broken links and weaker credibility |
| Generic enquiry form | No project type, budget range or site location | Principals qualify every lead by email |
| Accessibility gaps | Images without alt text, light text over photos | Exposure to ADA Title III demand letters |
| Outdated team page | Departed staff, imprecise titles | An inaccurate picture of the firm |
Three or more signals in this table usually justify a full redesign rather than a cosmetic refresh.
How much does a redesign cost in Austin in 2026?
The ranges below are 2026 ballpark figures based on typical agency quotes and public agency rate pages, not a market survey. They move with the number of project pages and the level of art direction you expect.
| Option | 2026 ballpark | Typical timeline | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design-led Austin boutique studio | USD 20,000 to 45,000 | 10 to 16 weeks | Custom art direction, in-person workshops |
| Mid-size local agency | USD 15,000 to 30,000 | 8 to 12 weeks | Full site, CMS, local project management |
| Freelance designer and developer | USD 5,000 to 12,000 | 6 to 12 weeks | Depends on availability, often no redirect plan |
| Kolonell Starter | USD 2,900 | 3 to 4 weeks | Compact site, core portfolio, qualified enquiry form |
| Kolonell Growth | USD 4,900 | 3 to 4 weeks | Filterable portfolio, editable project pages, blog and analytics |
| Kolonell Premium | USD 8,900 | 3 to 4 weeks | Advanced animation, deeper SEO structure, the multilingual tier (languages set in the quote) |
Every Kolonell tier includes a project manager reachable in your time zone, native English copywriting, delivery in 3 to 4 weeks and 3 months of support. Maintenance after those 3 months is on quote. Tier details are on our international offer page.
What is a realistic timeline, and which risks need managing?
The 3 to 4 weeks start when copy, photography and project sheets are ready. For architects, gathering photos and checking image rights is usually the longest step.
| Phase | Kolonell | Typical local agency |
|---|---|---|
| Audit and URL inventory | Days 1 to 3 | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Sitemap and wireframes | Week 1 | 2 to 3 weeks |
| Project template design | Week 2 | 3 to 4 weeks |
| Build and content migration | Weeks 2 to 3 | 3 to 5 weeks |
| QA, accessibility, redirects | Week 4 | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Go-live and Search Console monitoring | End of week 4, then 3 months of support | 1 week |
Main risks and how to mitigate them:
- SEO traffic loss: a complete inventory of existing URLs (project pages, press, team), a page-by-page 301 redirect map, a new sitemap submitted and errors tracked in Google Search Console for at least 30 days.
- Image weight and rights: conversion to WebP or AVIF, several sizes per image, and a check that the photographer's license actually covers web use.
- Content migration: sort the press archive and older projects before migration, not after.
- Integrations: CRM, newsletter or calendar tools reconnected and tested.
- Downtime: DNS switch in a quiet window, old site kept as a fallback for 2 weeks.
- Compliance review before go-live: the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners regulates the use of the architect title and firm names, so have a principal review titles and credentials on the site. On data, the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act may apply depending on your profile, and accessibility should target WCAG 2.1 or 2.2 AA. This is not legal advice.
What stays on quote: client portals or project extranets, advanced CRM integrations, 3D virtual tours, ongoing search work.
Questions to ask your provider: Who builds the 301 redirect map? How are images optimized? Who owns the code, domain and hosting? What does post-launch support cover? Who writes the copy, and in which language?
Need a professional website?
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When is a local agency the better choice?
To be fair: if you want in-person workshops with every partner, a brand identity built from scratch, photo shoots coordinated on your job sites or art direction aimed at design competitions, an Austin studio at USD 25,000 and up makes sense. Kolonell fits when the identity already exists and the goal is a fast, editable, cleanly migrated site delivered quickly.
Mini case study
Illustrative example: Maya, principal of a 9-person studio in East Austin (residential and small hospitality). Her site has 42 project pages, 18 press links and 12 core pages, so 72 URLs to inventory and redirect. She receives a local quote of USD 28,000 over 12 weeks. She picks Kolonell Growth at USD 4,900 and budgets separately for a local architectural photographer (third-party cost) to shoot 6 recent projects, about USD 6,000. Total: USD 10,900, which is USD 17,100 below the local quote before photography, and a site live roughly 8 weeks earlier.
FAQ
How long does an architecture firm redesign take with Kolonell?
Plan on 3 to 4 weeks once content is ready. Gathering photos and project sheets often adds 2 to 4 weeks on the firm's side.
Will I lose my Google rankings?
The risk is real if old URLs are not redirected. With a full inventory and a 301 map covering 100% of indexed pages, any dip is usually limited and temporary.
Which tier fits a 40-project portfolio?
Growth at USD 4,900 is usually enough, with editable project pages and filters. Premium at USD 8,900 makes sense for advanced animation or several languages.
Is accessibility included?
We target WCAG 2.1 AA on the delivered templates, alt text included. A deeper third-party audit is a separate cost, often USD 1,500 to 5,000 depending on the auditor.
Who owns the site after delivery?
Domain and hosting should be in your name, and ownership terms are written in the quote. The 3 months of support cover fixes after launch.
Let's scope your project. A redesign with a filterable portfolio and a full redirect plan starts at USD 4,900 on Growth, delivered in 3 to 4 weeks once content is ready. See the international offer or request a free quote: detailed reply within 48 hours.
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.
