The verdict in three sentences
An architecture firm in Queenstown launched by its founder on a portfolio builder eventually hits three limits: no page explaining the process to private clients, a form reduced to one message box, and heavy galleries that slow everything down. A regional agency prices the redesign at NZD 12,000 to 28,000 as a 2026 ballpark (about USD 7,080 to 16,520), while Kolonell offers a fixed grid of USD 2,900 (Starter) and USD 4,900 (Growth), up to USD 8,900 (Premium). For a private residential clientele, the "How we work" page and a minimal enquiry form matter more than visual effects.
When does the portfolio template stop being enough?
In Queenstown, practices work on alpine luxury homes, tourism and hospitality projects, in landscapes with strong constraints that the site describes in general terms. Some private clients live elsewhere and discover the practice online, from a distance. A quick comparison:
| Criterion | Portfolio builder (template) | Redesigned site |
|---|---|---|
| Annual cost | subscription of about NZD 300 to 800 (USD 180 to 470) | hosting and maintenance after 3 months: on quote |
| Process page for private clients | often missing | steps, client's role, fee basis explained |
| Form | one message box | 5 useful fields, automatic sorting |
| Gallery weight | 10 to 30 MB | under 2.5 MB, WebP or AVIF, lazy loading |
| Indexed project pages | a single gallery | one URL per project, text and credits |
| Recruitment | missing | page for architects, graduates and technologists |
Watch point: the title registered architect is protected under the Registered Architects Act 2005 and the register is kept by the NZRAB. The founder only uses it if registered, and other team members are presented with their actual status.
What should the process page tell a private client?
A private client wants to know who does what, when they decide and on what basis they pay. The page describes the main stages with no advice or timeline promise, because consent processes with the local council depend on each project.
| Stage | What happens | What the client brings |
|---|---|---|
| First conversation | Listening to the brief, site visit where possible | General site situation, preferred timing, rough budget |
| Feasibility | Reading site constraints, first options | Titles and existing documents, via a secure channel |
| Design | Sketch design, then developed design | Written feedback at each milestone |
| Consents | Preparing applications, with councils and consultants | Decisions on options |
| Construction | Observation according to the agreed scope | Availability for site meetings |
The fee basis is explained in general terms: a percentage of construction cost, a fixed fee per stage or time-based, depending on the scope. No real project figures are published. Awards or press appear only if real and supplied by the practice; the Fair Trading Act prohibits misleading claims.
What budget, what timeline, what risks?
2026 ballpark from typical agency quotes and public rate pages of agencies in the region. Approximate conversion: NZD 1 ≈ USD 0.59.
| Option | Quote (NZD) | Approx. equivalent (USD) | Usual timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freelancer | NZD 3,500 to 9,000 | USD 2,065 to 5,310 | 4 to 8 weeks |
| Regional agency | NZD 12,000 to 28,000 | USD 7,080 to 16,520 | 8 to 12 weeks |
| Established Auckland or Christchurch studio | NZD 35,000 to 80,000 | USD 20,650 to 47,200 | 10 to 16 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 tiers 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; details are on the international offer page. These stay on quote: client portal, project extranet, BIM viewer, tender document room, CRM, secure plan uploads, SEO work beyond the migration.
Risks specific to moving off a template:
- Limited export: many builders export galleries poorly. Retrieve the original files, not the thumbnails.
- Changing URLs: every old page, including template-generated URLs, gets a 301 redirect; Search Console is monitored for 6 weeks.
- Domain and email: check who holds the domain name, sometimes registered through the builder, before the cutover.
- Private houses: never an address, photo credit and written client consent for each project.
- Form: name, contact, project type, location area, rough budget. The Privacy Act 2020 asks you to collect only what is necessary. This is not legal advice.
- Timing: launch in the shoulder season rather than at the height of the winter or summer tourist peak, when the team and clients are less available.
Questions to ask: do you retrieve the original photos? Who transfers the domain? Does the form sort enquiries by project type?
A local agency remains the better choice if the founder wants a partner who comes to the studio every month, or a coordinated shoot across several sites in the region.
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Mini case study
Illustrative example: Alder & Scree Studio, a 4-person, founder-led Queenstown practice focused on alpine homes. The template site has 22 pages and a single-box form.
Working assumption: 25 enquiries a month, 40 minutes of email exchanges to qualify each one, about 16.7 hours. With a structured form, the founder estimates 15 minutes per enquiry, about 6.3 hours. Estimated gain: about 10 hours a month, with no guarantee on the number of enquiries.
- Kolonell Growth: USD 4,900.
- Two days of photography by a local photographer (third-party cost): NZD 3,200, about USD 1,890.
- Total: USD 6,790.
FAQ
Can we keep our current domain name?
Yes. If it is registered through the builder, a transfer takes 1 to 7 days depending on the extension and registrar: start it before the cutover.
Should we publish our fees?
No figures. Explaining the possible bases (percentage, fixed fee per stage, time-based) in 100 to 200 words is enough to reassure a private client.
How many fields should the form have?
5 fields: name, contact, project type, location area, rough budget. Plans then arrive through a secure channel, on quote.
How long does the redesign take?
3 to 4 weeks with Kolonell once content is ready. Retrieving the original photos often takes 1 week.
What does the site cost after the 3 months of support?
Kolonell hosting and maintenance beyond the 3 included months are on quote. Compare with your current subscription, around NZD 300 to 800 a year.
To prepare the next step, request a free quote with your current site address.
Let's scope your project. Send your template site address, number of projects and busy seasons: we will price Starter or Growth with a process page and a minimal enquiry form. 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.
