The verdict in three sentences
For an architecture firm in Gold Coast, a redesign is won or lost less on design than on the cutover: DNS, email, press kit links and project pages that already rank. Local agencies quote a 2026 ballpark of AUD 12,000 to 30,000 for a redesign (about USD 7,800 to 19,500), while the Kolonell fixed grid starts at USD 2,900 (Starter) and reaches USD 4,900 (Growth) for a full portfolio. Pick your go-live date before you pick your provider: clear of competition deadlines and clear of the summer break from late December to mid-January.
Which signals show the redesign can't wait?
On the Gold Coast, practices work on high-rise residential towers, coastal homes and tourism and hospitality projects. Clients compare several portfolios on their phones, often from interstate or overseas. The signals that come up most:
- project pages take more than 4 seconds to load on a phone, because photos are 3 to 6 MB JPEGs;
- adding a project needs a developer, so the portfolio is two years behind;
- the contact form asks for plans, a full address and a detailed budget, which puts off first enquiries;
- the PDF press kit points to URLs that no longer exist;
- the site talks about "architects" when not every principal holds the title, which is protected under each state and territory's legislation.
If two of these signals apply, the redesign usually costs less than the enquiries you are losing. The title architect only appears next to people registered with the relevant state board.
What budget should you plan, compared with what?
The local ranges below are a 2026 ballpark based on typical agency quotes and public agency rate pages. AUD amounts are converted approximately (AUD 1 ≈ USD 0.65).
| Option | Local quote (AUD, 2026 ballpark) | Approx. equivalent (USD) | Usual duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freelance web designer | AUD 4,000 to 10,000 | USD 2,600 to 6,500 | 4 to 8 weeks |
| Small Gold Coast agency | AUD 12,000 to 30,000 | USD 7,800 to 19,500 | 8 to 12 weeks |
| Established Gold Coast or Brisbane studio | AUD 35,000 to 90,000 | USD 22,750 to 58,500 | 12 to 20 weeks |
| Kolonell Starter | fixed price | USD 2,900 | 3 to 4 weeks |
| Kolonell Growth | fixed price | USD 4,900 | 3 to 4 weeks |
| Kolonell Premium | fixed price | USD 8,900 | 3 to 4 weeks |
Kolonell prices include 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. Tier details are on the international offer page. These stay on quote: BIM viewer, project extranet, client portal, tender document room, CRM integration. They are linked or embedded, never rebuilt inside a fixed-grid site. SEO work beyond the migration is also on quote.
How do you time the cutover without losing email, press or rankings?
Go-live is the riskiest moment. Here is a realistic calendar:
| Phase | Duration | Watch point |
|---|---|---|
| URL inventory and pages that drive traffic | 3 to 5 days | Export 16 months of Search Console data |
| Content preparation by the practice | 1 to 3 weeks before kickoff | Photo credits and written consent from each client |
| Design and build | 2 to 3 weeks | One project template, WebP/AVIF images |
| Compliance review of marketing content | 3 to 5 days | Architect title, awards, claims |
| DNS switch | 1 day, Tuesday to Thursday | TTL lowered to 300 s 48 hours before |
| Post-launch monitoring | 6 weeks | 404 errors, project page positions |
The risks to handle one by one:
- Email outage: a careless DNS switch overwrites MX records. Copy the full DNS zone before any change and test sending and receiving on the day.
- Competition deadline: never launch in the two weeks before a submission. The team won't have time to review.
- Summer holidays: from late December to mid-January many clients and consultants are away; a February or March launch leaves time to fix issues.
- Press kit: every link in the PDF and every page cited by the media gets a 301 redirect.
- Ranking project pages: the 301 map covers 100% of old URLs, then Search Console is checked weekly for 6 weeks.
- Awards and certifications: only those supplied and verifiable by the practice are published.
- Form: name, contact, project type, location area, rough budget. Plans travel through a separate secure channel, on quote.
On compliance, the Privacy Act 1988 applies to businesses with annual turnover above AUD 3 million, with exceptions. The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 makes WCAG 2.2 AA a sensible target. Australian Consumer Law prohibits misleading claims. This is not legal advice.
Questions to ask your provider
- Who writes the 301 redirect map and who tests it?
- Who keeps access to the registrar and DNS zone during the cutover?
- How long does it take to publish a new project after handover?
- What happens if a client withdraws consent to publish?
When a local agency is the better choice
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
If the practice needs weekly on-site workshops, a photo shoot coordinated by the agency or a custom client portal tied to your project management tools, a Gold Coast or Brisbane agency will fit better, for a higher budget.
Mini case study
Illustrative example: Saltline Studio, a Gold Coast practice specialised in restaurant and hotel interiors and buildings, 9 people. The old site has 64 URLs, including 18 project pages that receive search traffic.
- Kolonell Growth: USD 4,900.
- New shoot of 3 projects by a local photographer (third-party cost): AUD 2,400, about USD 1,560.
- Total: USD 6,460.
- Comparable quote from a small local agency: AUD 22,000, about USD 14,300.
- Difference: about USD 7,840.
Content is ready in early February, the cutover happens on a Wednesday in early March, after a competition submission in late February and well away from the holidays. All 64 URLs are redirected, email is tested that morning, and the press kit is updated before it goes to the media.
FAQ
How long does an architecture firm website redesign take?
With Kolonell, 3 to 4 weeks once content is ready. Allow 1 to 3 weeks beforehand to gather photos, credits and client consents.
Do we need to reshoot every project photo?
No. Existing images are converted to WebP or AVIF, often 70 to 80% lighter, and only poorly photographed projects are reshot.
When should we launch the new site on the Gold Coast?
Avoid the 2 weeks before a competition deadline and the period from late December to mid-January. A Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday limits risk on cutover day.
Is the client portal included in the USD 4,900?
No. Project extranet, BIM viewer, client portal and CRM are priced on quote, then linked or embedded in the site.
What happens after the 3 months of support?
Kolonell maintenance and hosting beyond the 3 included months are on quote. You can also take the site in-house.
To scope your own redesign, request a free quote with a list of your current URLs.
Let's scope your project. Send your scope (number of projects, existing URLs, competition dates to avoid) and we will price Starter, Growth or Premium with a cutover calendar. 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.
