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

The verdict in three sentences

An Ottawa architecture firm should redesign its website when the portfolio loads slowly, project pages can no longer be found and the French version has fallen behind the English one. Plan on a 2026 ballpark of USD 14,000 to 32,000 for a redesign with a local agency, or $4,900 (Growth) to $8,900 (Premium, the multilingual tier, languages set in the quote) with Kolonell, delivered in 3 to 4 weeks once photos and copy inputs are gathered. The main risk is losing the project pages that already attract institutional and residential clients, for lack of a URL inventory and 301 redirects.

How do you know a redesign is overdue?

Firms in Centretown, Westboro or Kanata often work on three fronts at once: residential homes and renovations, institutional projects, and work on heritage buildings. Their site has to show that range without drowning the visitor. Typical signs of wear:

• project images of 3 to 8 MB each, never converted to WebP or AVIF;
• project pages without credits (photographer, collaborators) or written client permission;
• a partial French version, while part of the clientele and public buyers work in French;
• no careers page, although the firm hires interns and technologists;
• the title "architect" used on the site for people who do not hold it. In Canada this title is protected: in Ontario, licensing sits with the Ontario Association of Architects, and only licensed members should be presented that way.

What does the redesign cost over three years?

Local figures are 2026 ballpark ranges based on typical agency quotes and public agency rate pages, converted approximately (CAD 1 ≈ USD 0.72). Maintenance is a market assumption; Kolonell maintenance after the 3 included months is on quote.

Every tier 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. Still on quote: project extranet or client portal, BIM tool connections, CRM integrations and SEO work after launch. Details on the international offer page.

Which risks, and how do you control them?

On personal data, PIPEDA covers contact and job application forms, and CASL covers newsletters. Awards and competitions appear only if they are real and supplied by the firm; permit processes are described in general terms. This is not legal advice.

Typical calendar: page inventory and architecture (1 week), copywriting and project selection (1 week), design and build (1 to 1.5 weeks), redirects and launch (2 days).

When should you prefer a local agency?

If the firm bids on federal or municipal tenders that call for site visits, in-person workshops or months of brand support, an Ottawa agency at USD 20,000 or more may fit better. The same goes for a custom client extranet. Questions to ask any provider: who produces the 301 map? How are photo credits handled? Are both languages written by native speakers? What accessibility level is targeted? What does maintenance cost after delivery?

Mini case study

Illustrative example: "Atelier Bastien Ferland", a 9-person firm in Westboro mixing residential renovations and small institutional projects. Its site has 42 project pages, 15 of which receive traffic. The firm picks Premium at $8,900 (the multilingual tier, languages set in the quote) and has 6 recent projects shot by an independent architectural photographer (third-party cost, about CAD 2,500, roughly USD 1,800). Total: 8,900 + 1,800 = USD 10,700. A local agency quote of CAD 38,000 is about USD 27,360, a gap of roughly USD 16,660. Each of the 15 ranking pages gets a 301 redirect checked before the switch.

FAQ

How long does an architecture firm website redesign take in Ottawa?

Plan on 3 to 4 weeks with Kolonell once photos, credits and copy inputs are gathered. Project selection often takes 1 extra week on the firm's side.

Does the site have to be bilingual?

It is not always a legal requirement for a private firm, but part of Ottawa's public and private clientele works in French. The $8,900 Premium tier is the multilingual tier, with languages set in the quote.

Can we publish all our projects?

Only those where the client has agreed and photo credits are known. Out of 40 projects, keeping 12 to 20 is common.

Is the project extranet included?

No, a client extranet or access to BIM models stays on quote. The $4,900 Growth tier covers the public site.

What happens to our search rankings?

Every ranking URL gets a 301 redirect and 3 months of support are included. SEO work beyond that is on quote.

Let's scope your project. An architecture firm website redesign in English and French, from $4,900 to $8,900, delivered in 3 to 4 weeks once content is ready. See the international offer or request a free quote: detailed reply within 48 hours.