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

The verdict in three sentences

When two studios merge in Canberra, the architecture firm website redesign has to fix two technical problems first: project pages that are too heavy on mobile and accessibility that falls short for public and institutional clients who look for WCAG 2.2 AA. A local agency prices a redesign with a merger at AUD 15,000 to 35,000 as a 2026 ballpark (about USD 9,750 to 22,750), while Kolonell offers a fixed grid of USD 2,900 (Starter), USD 4,900 (Growth) and USD 8,900 (Premium). You protect the budget with a redirect map covering both old domains and an image weight target written into the quote.

Why does a studio merger force a redesign?

Canberra is a planned capital where a large share of commissions comes from government and institutional clients, alongside residential projects. These buyers compare references, check that the identity is consistent and often look at accessibility. Two sites living side by side after a merger send mixed signals: two service lists, two bios for the same person, two contact forms and duplicated projects.

The other classic signals: project pages of 15 to 40 MB, photos without alt text, white text over light photos, menus you cannot use with a keyboard. The title architect, protected under each state and territory's legislation, only appears next to people registered with the relevant board.

The targets to write into the brief:

The method: WebP or AVIF images, responsive sizes (srcset), lazy loading below the fold, galleries that only load high resolution on click. For accessibility, each project photo gets alt text describing what you see ("north brick facade, glazed entrance"), not a file name.

What budget for a redesign with a merger?

2026 ballpark based on typical agency quotes and public agency rate pages, converted approximately (AUD 1 ≈ USD 0.65).

Each tier includes a project manager reachable in your time zone, native English copywriting, delivery in 3 to 4 weeks once content is ready and 3 months of support (see the international offer). Premium is also the multilingual tier, languages set in the quote. These stay on quote: BIM viewer, project extranet, client portal, tender document room, CRM integration, SEO work beyond the migration.

Which risks should you watch during the 3 to 4 weeks?

The typical calendar: week 0, URL inventory of both domains and Search Console export; week 1, merged content architecture and project template; weeks 2 and 3, build, image conversion, review; week 4, compliance review and cutover.

Traffic loss on one of the two domains. Every old URL on both sites points with a 301 to its new page, including duplicated projects merged into one entry. Search Console is monitored for 6 weeks on both properties.

Content migration. Two bios, two descriptions of the same project: the practice decides before kickoff, otherwise the schedule slips.

Credits and consents. Every project shown has a photo credit and the client's consent. Private houses are shown without an address.

Integrations. The two old forms may have fed two inboxes or two CRMs: pick a single destination.

Downtime. The DNS switch happens midweek, TTL lowered 48 hours before, email tested on the day.

Compliance of marketing content. Awards, sustainability ratings and prizes are only published if real and supplied by the practice; Australian Consumer Law prohibits misleading claims. The Privacy Act 1988 applies to businesses with turnover above AUD 3 million, with exceptions; the form is limited to name, contact, project type, location area and rough budget. The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 supports the WCAG 2.2 AA target. This is not legal advice.

Questions to ask any provider: what maximum weight per project page do you commit to? Who tests keyboard navigation? How many URLs does the redirect map cover? Who writes the alt text?

A Canberra agency remains the better choice if you target public procurement panels that require a local supplier, if a third-party certified accessibility audit must be run by the agency itself, or if you want in-person identity workshops for the merger.

Mini case study

Illustrative example: Corran & Vale Studio, formed by the merger of two Canberra studios, 14 people. The two old sites total 205 URLs (120 and 85) and 1,400 photos averaging 3.2 MB, about 4.5 GB of images.

• Conversion to WebP at 280 KB on average: about 390 MB, close to 90% lighter.
• 46 duplicated service pages reduced to 12.
• Kolonell Premium: USD 8,900.
• Independent accessibility audit by a local auditor (third-party cost): AUD 3,000, about USD 1,950.
• Total: USD 10,850, against about USD 35,750 (AUD 55,000) for an established agency quote.
• Difference: about USD 24,900.

All 205 URLs are redirected, and the old Vale Design domain stays live for redirects for at least 12 months.

FAQ

Should we keep both old domain names?

Yes, for at least 12 months, only to serve the 301 redirects. Renewal costs a few tens of dollars a year.

What weight should a project page target?

Under 2.5 MB in total and under 1 MB above the fold on mobile. High-resolution images only load when the gallery opens.

Is WCAG 2.2 AA included?

The site is designed and tested to target WCAG 2.2 AA: 4.5:1 contrast, keyboard navigation, alt text. A third-party certified audit remains a separate cost, around AUD 2,000 to 5,000.

How long does the redesign take after a merger?

3 to 4 weeks with Kolonell once content decisions are made. Deciding between the two sites often takes the practice 1 to 2 weeks.

Can you integrate our project extranet?

Yes, on quote: it is linked or embedded in the site. It is not rebuilt within the USD 8,900 Premium tier.

Let's scope your project. Tell us how many URLs your two sites have, your photo volume and your merger date: we will price Growth or Premium with a weight and accessibility target. See the international offer or request a free quote: detailed reply within 48 hours.