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

The verdict in three sentences

For a Perth architecture firm, patching an old theme or staying on an online portfolio builder often costs about as much over 3 years as a clean redesign, without the benefits. As a 2026 ballpark, a local agency charges AUD 10,000 to 30,000 (roughly USD 6,500 to 19,500), while the Kolonell grid is fixed at USD 4,900 on Growth and USD 8,900 on Premium. Allow 3 to 4 weeks of build once content is ready, then 6 weeks of redirect monitoring.

Patch, move to a portfolio builder, or redesign?

Local figures below are ballparks from typical quotes and public agency rate pages, converted approximately into USD (AUD 1 is about USD 0.65). Maintenance figures are market assumptions; Kolonell maintenance after the 3 included months is on quote.

The portfolio builder is the cheapest, but it handles 301 redirects poorly, constrains the structure of project pages and makes the next migration riskier. Patching leaves slow pages and outdated code in place. Every tier of the international offer includes a project manager reachable in your time zone, native English copywriting, delivery in 3 to 4 weeks and 3 months of support.

How do the phases run, and who does what?

Which risks are specific to a Perth redesign?

Project page traffic. Pages that already rank for heritage or adaptive reuse are the most valuable. Without an inventory and a 301 map, they drop out of results within weeks.

Heritage imagery. Survey drawings, archive photos and pre-works shots sometimes belong to third parties. Every image needs its credit and the client's consent; private houses are shown without addresses.

Claims and the title. The title architect is protected under state and territory Architects Acts: use it only for registered people. Development applications through local councils and heritage rules are described generally, never as advice. Australian Consumer Law prohibits misleading advertising, so prices and any surcharges must be clear.

Data and accessibility. The Privacy Act 1988, overseen by the OAIC, generally applies to businesses with turnover above AUD 3 million, with exceptions: check your position. The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 makes WCAG 2.2 AA the sensible target. The form is limited to name, contact details, project type, area and rough budget. This is not legal advice.

Integrations. BIM viewers, project extranets, client portals, tender document rooms and CRM stay on quote, linked or embedded. Plan uploads go through a separate secure channel, on quote.

When is a Perth agency the better choice?

If you want workshops in your office, a photographer coordinated on every heritage site or ongoing brand support, a local agency is worth the premium. Ask every provider: is the 301 map included and delivered? Who owns the domain? How are images optimised? What does a new project page cost? How is accessibility tested?

Mini case study

Illustrative example: Limestone Lane Studio, a fictional small Perth practice specialising in heritage restoration and adaptive reuse, shows 28 projects on an online portfolio builder that cannot redirect URLs. It moves to Growth at USD 4,900 and has 3 projects reshot by a local photographer, a third-party cost estimated at AUD 2,400, roughly USD 1,560 (market assumption). Year one: 4,900 + 1,560 = USD 6,460. Add USD 100 a month over 33 months for hosting and maintenance, USD 3,300 (market assumption; Kolonell maintenance after the 3 included months on quote), for a 3-year total of USD 9,760. For your own numbers, request a free quote.

FAQ

Is patching always a bad idea? No. With fewer than 10 project pages and a fast site, a targeted fix can last a year. Beyond that, the 3-year total quickly reaches the USD 7,700 in the table.

Why USD prices for a Perth firm? The Kolonell grid is fixed in USD: 2,900, 4,900 or 8,900. Local agency figures stay in AUD and are converted approximately.

How long does the redesign take? 3 to 4 weeks of build once content is ready, then 6 weeks of Search Console monitoring. A local agency usually quotes 10 to 16 weeks.

Does the Privacy Act 1988 apply to our practice? The general threshold is AUD 3 million in turnover, but there are exceptions. Have your case checked and publish a clear privacy policy anyway.

Can we display sustainability certifications? Only if they are real and supplied by the firm, with their date. The provider never adds ratings or awards.

Let's scope your project. Send us your number of projects, your current platform and your target go-live date. See the international offer or request a free quote: detailed reply within 48 hours.