Website redesign for an architecture firm in Basel: budget, timeline and risks (2026)

The verdict in three sentences

Redesigning the website of an architecture firm in Basel costs CHF 14,000 to 50,000 with a local agency in 2026, against CHF 2,700, 4,500 or 8,200 on Kolonell's fixed grid. In a city with international teams, where practices also hire across the French and German borders, the site works as much to attract talent as to present projects. Allow 3 to 4 weeks once content is ready, provided the portfolio migrates without losing a single ranking URL.

Signals that a redesign is due, on projects and on hiring

A Basel practice website ages in two ways. On projects: 10 MB galleries per page, timber, low-carbon or retrofit projects shown with no text on the approach, no English version for pharma and life science clients. On hiring: a single 'unsolicited applications: info@' line, no internship page, nothing on studio culture, while candidates compare three or four practices before applying.

Another point to check is titles. In Switzerland, the title of architect is not protected at federal level. REG registration (A or B) and SIA membership only appear where the firm or its members hold them. Several cantons regulate who may sign building permit applications, with rules that differ by canton: the site describes these procedures generally, never as advice.

What the careers pages should contain

No invented figures: no number of nationalities, retention rate or years of experience unless supplied and checked by the practice.

Redesign budget and schedule

2026 ballpark, based on typical agency quotes and public rate pages of Basel agencies.

Every Kolonell tier includes a project manager reachable in your time zone, native English or French copywriting, delivery in 3 to 4 weeks and 3 months of support. German proofreading by an independent translator remains a third-party cost; SEO beyond the migration is on quote. These stay on quote, linked or embedded, never rebuilt: BIM viewer, project extranet, client portal, tender document room, CRM and applicant tracking tool. Details on the international offer.

Redesign risks and how to mitigate them

• Traffic loss on ranking project and service pages: URL inventory, 301 map, Search Console monitoring for 6 weeks.
• Expired job ads still indexed: every closed role redirects to the careers page, not to a 404 error.
• Image rights: photo credit and client permission for every project, private houses without addresses, written consent from staff in photos.
• Candidate data: the nLPD (revFADP, in force since 1 September 2023, supervised by the FDPIC) requires data to be limited and secured; the GDPR also matters for candidates living in France or Germany. State the retention period clearly. This is not legal advice.
• Marketing content: awards, competitions and sustainability labels only if real and supplied, with a compliance review before go-live.
• Cutover: never during a competition submission or a live hiring campaign.

When should you pick a Basel agency instead?

If the redesign includes an employer brand video shot on site, regular workshops with the partners in German, or an applicant tool connected to your HR system, a local agency fits better. Questions to ask: who writes the careers pages? How are expired ads handled? Where are applications stored? Who produces the 301 map?

Mini case study

Illustrative example. Atelier Rheinbord, 16 people, focused on timber, low-carbon and retrofit work, opens 3 roles and 2 internships a year. Its current site: 32 projects, no careers page, German only.

Calculation: Premium tier CHF 8,200 (German and English, languages set in the quote) + a local photographer for 12 portraits and studio views, about CHF 1,400 (third-party cost) = CHF 9,600. The local agency quote with an employer brand component: about CHF 38,000. Difference: CHF 28,400. On screening: if a structured form saves 10 minutes of back-and-forth per application across 60 applications a year, the team saves 600 minutes, or 10 hours a year. An applicant tracking tool, if wanted, stays on quote.

FAQ

Can the site say 'architect'?

The title is not protected at federal level, but REG A, REG B and SIA only appear where the firm or its members hold them. Checking bios takes about 1 hour for 15 people.

What do careers pages cost in a redesign?

They are included from the Growth tier at CHF 4,500. Adding French or English is the Premium tier at CHF 8,200, languages set in the quote.

How long can we keep an application?

The period must be defined and stated; many practices keep them 3 to 6 months with the candidate's consent. Check with your adviser.

Can the redesign be done in 4 weeks?

Yes, with Kolonell, once copy, photos and the list of roles are ready. With a Basel agency, allow 10 to 24 weeks.

What should we do with closed job ads?

Redirect them with a 301 to the careers page, remove them from the sitemap, then monitor Search Console for 6 weeks.

Let's scope your project. Tell us your number of projects, your open roles and your languages, and we will propose a tier between CHF 2,700 and 8,200 and a go-live in 3 to 4 weeks. See the international offer or request a free quote: detailed reply within 48 hours.