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

The verdict in three sentences

For an architecture firm in Houston, the redesign comes down to one challenge: migrating an image-heavy project portfolio without losing pages that already rank, photographer credits or client permissions. As a 2026 ballpark, local agencies quote USD 15,000 to 50,000, while the Kolonell fixed grid runs from $2,900 (Starter) to $8,900 (Premium), delivered in 3 to 4 weeks once content is gathered. Project extranets, client portals and BIM integrations stay on quote.

How do you know it is time to redesign?

Houston firms work on very different programs: offices and labs, healthcare facilities, single-family homes in the Heights or Montrose, corporate campuses along the Energy Corridor. The site has to show that range clearly. The usual signals:

• Project pages weigh 15 to 25 MB each and load poorly on a phone.
• The portfolio is one long gallery with no filter by type (healthcare, commercial, residential).
• Projects appear with no photographer credit or client mention, and permission was never filed.
• The word architect is used for staff who do not hold the license.
• The careers page links to a role that closed two years ago.
• There is no Spanish version, although some residential clients and site partners ask for one.

What does a Houston redesign cost?

Prudent ranges, 2026 ballpark, based on typical local agency quotes and public provider rate pages.

The Kolonell price 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. See the international offer for details.

Which risks are specific to an architecture portfolio?

Finally, the firm reviews all marketing copy before go-live: permit processes described in general terms, no invented square footage or construction values, no client named without permission. This is not legal advice.

What timeline, and what stays on quote?

Week 1: URL inventory, project selection, rights log. Week 2: site structure, project and careers copy. Week 3: design, build, image optimization. Week 4: firm review, accessibility tests, go-live and redirect checks. The schedule holds at 3 to 4 weeks if project photos and text are ready; sorting the portfolio is almost always what causes delays.

On quote, as separate lines: project extranet or client portal, BIM or document management connection, recruiting ATS, any language beyond the Premium scope. Newsletters follow CAN-SPAM. Send your scope through the free quote form.

Questions to ask every provider: who produces the 301 map? Who converts the images? Is the domain in your name? Can you add a project yourself in the CMS, without a developer?

When a Houston agency is the better choice. If you want an on-site photo campaign of your built work, construction films, or hands-on help with public RFP submissions and in-person meetings, a local AEC agency will be more relevant.

Mini case study

Illustrative example. Calder Ruiz Studio, a 14-person firm in the Heights whose principals are Texas-licensed architects, wants to redesign a site with 48 project pages.

• Inventory: 48 project pages + 11 other pages = 59 URLs, 59 301 rules.
• Images: 48 projects × 10 images × 4 MB = 1,920 MB of originals, brought down to about 48 × 10 × 0.3 MB = 144 MB in WebP.
• Tier: Growth at $4,900.
• New shoot of 3 recent projects by a local architectural photographer: third-party cost estimated at $2,400.

Total: 4,900 + 2,400 = $7,300, versus USD 25,000 to 50,000 at a local AEC agency. Client extranet: on quote. Maintenance after the 3 included months: on quote.

FAQ

Should we keep every old project?

No, but every removed page that drew traffic must be 301 redirected to a similar project or the category. Out of 50 projects, a cleanup often brings the portfolio down to 25 or 30.

Can we publish a project without the client's consent?

Better not. The firm files the permission and photo credit for each project before go-live, which usually takes 2 to 5 days.

Is a Spanish version included in Growth?

No. Growth at $4,900 covers one language; Premium at $8,900 is the multilingual tier, languages set in the quote.

What page weight should a project page target?

A reasonable target is 1 to 2 MB on first load, versus 15 MB or more for an unoptimized portfolio.

Can a client portal be added later?

Yes. It is priced separately, on quote, and connected to the site through a secure link.

Let's scope your project. A portfolio redesign with a 301 map and optimized images, from $4,900 to $8,900, delivered in 3 to 4 weeks. See the international offer or request a free quote: detailed reply within 48 hours.