The verdict in three sentences
For a Bellevue architecture firm doing workplace and commercial fit-out, a redesign rarely fails because of design: it fails because nobody knows who publishes projects or who approves client permissions. Budget USD 2,900 to 8,900 on Kolonell's fixed grid, delivered in 3 to 4 weeks once content is ready, against a 2026 ballpark of USD 20,000 to 60,000 in typical Eastside and Seattle agency quotes. Settle governance before the mockups, and plan the migration of pages that already rank before launch.
Is the current site really holding the firm back?
In Bellevue, a fit-out practice typically serves tech-sector companies, developers of downtown mixed-use projects and office landlords. These buyers check the website before a first meeting and compare several firms. A few questions are enough for a diagnosis:
- Is the most recent published project more than twelve months old?
- Are projects under NDA simply missing because there is no anonymized format?
- Does a project page weigh more than 5 MB on mobile?
- Does every addition require an outside vendor?
- Has the site never been tested against WCAG 2.1 or 2.2 AA, while ADA Title III claims regularly target business websites?
Three yes answers justify a redesign in 2026.
What does the redesign cost over 3 years?
| Option | Initial project (2026 ballpark) | Updates over 3 years (market assumption) | Indicative 3-year total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freelancer | USD 6,000 to 18,000 | USD 3,000 to 9,000 | USD 9,000 to 27,000 |
| Eastside boutique agency | USD 20,000 to 60,000 | USD 6,000 to 15,000 | USD 26,000 to 75,000 |
| Large Seattle agency | USD 50,000 to 120,000 | USD 10,000 to 25,000 | USD 60,000 to 145,000 |
| Kolonell Starter | USD 2,900 | maintenance after 3 months on quote | USD 2,900 excluding maintenance |
| Kolonell Growth | USD 4,900 | maintenance after 3 months on quote | USD 4,900 excluding maintenance |
| Kolonell Premium | USD 8,900 | maintenance after 3 months on quote | USD 8,900 excluding maintenance |
Market figures reflect typical agency quotes and public rate pages, not an official source. Kolonell tiers include a project manager reachable in your time zone, native English or French copywriting and 3 months of support. Premium is the multilingual tier, languages set in the quote. See the international offer.
Who does what once the new site is live?
Governance is the core of this redesign. A simple project template (title, building type, location at neighborhood level, the firm's role, photo credits, permission status) lets a non-technical person publish in 30 minutes.
| Task | Owner | Frequency | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Propose a project for publication | Project manager | At handover | Template filled in |
| Obtain client permission | Partner in charge | Before any publication | Written consent, archived outside the CMS |
| Check photo credits and rights | Marketing | Every project | Photographer credited, web use confirmed |
| Anonymize a confidential project | Partner in charge | Case by case | No client name, no address |
| Publish and check display | Marketing | Monthly | WebP or AVIF images, lazy loading |
| Review marketing claims | Leadership | Quarterly | Real ratings and certifications only |
The title architect appears on team pages only for people who hold it, since the profession is regulated by each state's licensing board. AIA membership or NCARB certification is mentioned only if it exists.
Which risks should you plan for, and on what timeline?
| Risk | Likelihood | Mitigation |
|---|---|---|
| Service pages lose rankings | High without a plan | URL inventory, 301 redirects, Search Console for 6 weeks |
| Project published without client consent | Medium | Mandatory permission status field in the template |
| Form collects too much data | Medium | Name, contact, project type, area, rough budget |
| Drawings sent through the form | Medium | Separate secure channel, on quote |
| Downtime during the switch | Low | Lowered TTL, switch on a Tuesday morning |
Typical Kolonell timeline: week 1 for the audit, URL inventory and project template; weeks 2 and 3 for design, build and migration; week 4 for accessibility, review of marketing content and launch. On quote: BIM viewers, project extranets, client portals, tender document rooms and CRM, linked or embedded.
When is a local agency the better call?
A Bellevue or Seattle agency is the better choice if your clients require heavy vendor security reviews, if you want a full rebrand with on-site workshops, or if the site must integrate deeply with your CRM. Either way, ask: who owns the accounts? Is the project template documented? Who writes the redirect table?
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Mini case study
Illustrative example: Daniel is operations director at Marrow & Pine Workplace, a fictional fit-out practice in Bellevue. Until now, every new project went through a vendor: 12 projects a year, 3 billed hours at USD 150, or USD 5,400 a year and USD 16,200 over 3 years (market assumption).
With the redesign:
- Growth tier: USD 4,900
- Local architectural photographer (third-party cost): USD 2,400
- Hosting at USD 50 a month over 33 months (market assumption; Kolonell maintenance after the 3 included months on quote): USD 1,650
Three-year total: 4,900 + 2,400 + 1,650 = USD 8,950, and projects are published in-house in 30 minutes each. This is not legal advice: client NDAs should still be reviewed by your counsel.
FAQ
Who should publish projects after the redesign?
Someone in marketing, working from a template filled in by the project manager. Plan on about 30 minutes per project.
Can we show a project under NDA?
Only with the client's written consent, otherwise in anonymized form. No name, no address, around 4 to 6 atmosphere photos.
How long should we monitor search rankings?
At least 6 weeks in Search Console after launch. 404 errors are fixed as they appear.
What does the USD 4,900 Growth tier include?
A fuller site with a portfolio and project template, delivered in 3 to 4 weeks with 3 months of support. CRM or portal integrations stay on quote.
What data should the contact form collect?
Five fields: name, contact, project type, area and rough budget. Drawings go through a separate secure channel.
Let's scope your project. Describe your current portfolio, your client confidentiality rules and your target date, and we will price the redesign between USD 2,900 and 8,900, delivered in 3 to 4 weeks. 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.
