The verdict in three sentences
For an architecture practice in Lausanne, a successful redesign depends mostly on the portfolio migration: which project pages to keep, merge or retire, and where each old URL should point. In 2026 a local agency typically quotes CHF 15,000 to 45,000 for a full redesign, while the Kolonell fixed grid runs from CHF 2,700 (Starter) to CHF 8,200 (Premium), delivered in 3 to 4 weeks once content is ready. The main risk sits in project pages that vanish without a URL inventory and a 301 redirect map, taking their enquiries with them.
Which signals show a redesign is due?
A practice website ages in layers: every completed project adds a page, rarely a rethink of the whole. The most common signals:
- project pages that load slowly on mobile, with 4 to 8 MB images and no WebP or AVIF versions;
- a portfolio without filters (housing, schools, conversions, interiors), with duplicates across phases of the same project;
- missing photo credits and client permissions that were never filed;
- private houses captioned with their address, or geotagged in image metadata;
- a contact form that invites visitors to email their plans;
- a theme or portfolio builder with no update for 3 years or more.
If your studio works on housing, schools or projects linked to the universities around the lake, visitors look for references by building type. A portfolio sorted by year, from the Flon to Sous-Gare, does not answer that search. This matters just as much for English-speaking founders and expatriate clients in Lausanne, who often compare several studios online before a first call.
How much does a redesign cost in Lausanne in 2026?
| Option | 2026 ballpark | Typical timeline | Watch points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lausanne agency, full bespoke redesign | CHF 15,000 to 45,000 | 8 to 16 weeks | migration sometimes billed on top |
| Local agency, theme-based redesign | CHF 8,000 to 15,000 | 5 to 8 weeks | portfolio often limited by the theme |
| Freelancer | CHF 5,000 to 15,000 | 6 to 12 weeks | reliance on a single person |
| Kolonell Starter | CHF 2,700 | 3 to 4 weeks | short portfolio, few project pages |
| Kolonell Growth | CHF 4,500 | 3 to 4 weeks | filterable portfolio, migration and 301 map |
| Kolonell Premium | CHF 8,200 | 3 to 4 weeks | the multilingual tier, languages set in the quote |
Local ranges are a ballpark drawn from typical agency quotes and public agency rate pages, not a survey. All three Kolonell tiers include a project manager reachable in your time zone, native English or French copywriting and 3 months of support; maintenance after that is on quote. Tier details are on the international offer page.
How do you migrate the portfolio without losing enquiries?
Before any mock-up, export the full URL list (sitemap, crawl, Search Console) and classify every project page.
| Page type | Decision | Redirect | Condition before go-live |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recent project that gets traffic | Keep and rewrite | same URL or 301 to the new one | photo credits and client permission |
| Phases of one project on separate pages | Merge | 301 from each phase to the single page | clear timeline on the merged page |
| Private house | Keep, without address | 301 if the URL changes | EXIF location data removed |
| Old project with no traffic or usable photos | Retire | 301 to the category (e.g. housing) | none |
| Project without publication permission | Retire or anonymise | 301 to the category | written consent if reinstated |
| Award, competition, label | Keep only if real and documented | same URL | source supplied by the firm |
| Dated news posts | Merge into an archive | 301 to the archive | dates preserved |
The other risks run in parallel. Images move to WebP or AVIF, with responsive sizes and lazy loading. Existing integrations (project extranet, BIM viewer, tender document room, CRM) stay as separate lines on quote, linked or embedded, never rebuilt inside a fixed-price site. The DNS switch happens off-peak, with the TTL lowered 48 hours ahead so downtime stays at a few minutes. Finally, a compliance review comes before go-live: professional titles shown, REG registration or SIA membership only if the firm holds them, a form limited to the minimum (name, contact, project type, area, rough budget) in line with the nLPD, and plans sent through a separate secure channel, on quote. Rules on who may sign permit applications in the canton of Vaud are described in general terms, never as advice. This is not legal advice.
Timeline, quotes and choosing a provider
With Kolonell, week 1 covers the URL inventory, portfolio triage and site structure; week 2 the design and copy; week 3 build and page migration; week 4 testing, review and go-live with the 301s. Then allow 6 weeks of Search Console monitoring. Content preparation on the firm's side (photos, credits, permissions) often takes 2 to 4 weeks and sets the start date.
Questions to ask any provider: who produces the redirect map, and in what format? How many project pages are migrated within the price? Who checks photo credits? What does a month of maintenance cost after delivery?
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
A Lausanne agency remains the better choice if you want weekly in-person workshops, a highly experimental art direction or a redesign bundled with a custom-built project extranet.
Mini case study
Illustrative example: Atelier Lignon & Daval, two partners and eight staff, works mainly on housing around Lausanne. Its site holds 120 project pages. After triage: 38 kept, 34 merged into 11, 48 retired, giving 49 final pages and 120 lines in the 301 map (38 + 34 + 48). Triage takes about 20 internal hours (120 pages x 10 minutes). Budget: Growth tier CHF 4,500, plus an independent photographer (third-party cost) for 5 projects at CHF 700 each, so CHF 3,500. Total: CHF 8,000, against a hypothetical local quote of CHF 22,000 for a comparable scope.
FAQ
How long should 301 redirects stay in place?
At least 12 months, ideally indefinitely while the domain stays the same. Watch 404 errors in Search Console for the 6 weeks after go-live.
Do all portfolio photos need reshooting?
No. A new shoot of 5 to 10 flagship projects is often enough; budget a ballpark CHF 500 to 1,200 per project with an independent photographer, a third-party cost.
Can we display REG registration or SIA membership?
Only if the firm or the person concerned actually holds it. A 1 to 2 hour review before go-live checks every mention.
Can the site receive client plans?
The form is limited to 5 fields. Plans and documents go through a separate secure channel, priced on quote.
When is Premium worth it?
When your clients need several languages. Premium, at CHF 8,200, is the multilingual tier, languages set in the quote.
Let's scope your project. Send us your list of project pages and your deadline, and we will price the migration, the right tier and the schedule. 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.
