The verdict in three sentences
In Montreux and on the Vaud Riviera, an interior design studio website built by a regional agency costs, as a 2026 order of magnitude, 8 000 to 28 000 CHF, depending on the number of projects, the languages and the care given to the gallery. Kolonell builds the portfolio, the services and fees page and the qualified project enquiry at a fixed price: 2 700, 4 500 or 8 200 CHF, with a bilingual FR/EN version included in Premium. For a studio renovating Belle Époque apartments for a partly English-speaking clientele, the useful question is the three-year total cost and how each quote handles photography and the second language.
This version is written for the English-speaking designers and partners of interior studios in Montreux and on the Riviera; the main article is in French.
Riviera agency, freelancer or Kolonell: what are 2026 prices?
The figures below are cautious orders of magnitude. They draw on public price lists from agencies in Vevey, Montreux and Lausanne, minimum project sizes on Clutch.co profiles, hourly rates published by French-speaking Swiss digital agencies (often 100 to 170 CHF an hour) and rates shown on Malt and Upwork. None corresponds to a specific agency's rate.
| Criterion | Riviera or Lausanne agency | French-speaking Swiss freelancer | Kolonell |
|---|---|---|---|
| Build, 2026 order of magnitude | 8 000 to 28 000 CHF | 2 500 to 8 500 CHF | 2 700 / 4 500 / 8 200 CHF, fixed price |
| English version | Often billed on top | Depends on the profile | Included in Premium, native copy |
| Usual timeline | 7 to 12 weeks | 4 to 9 weeks | 3 to 4 weeks, Premium usually 4 to 6 |
| Meetings at the studio | Yes | Often | No: Google Meet calls at your hours |
| Photos of completed projects | Sometimes arranged as an option | Rarely | No: local photographer booked by the studio |
| Support after launch | Separate contract | Case by case | 3 months, 6 in Premium |
| Site ownership | Check | Check | Domain in the studio's name, all access handed over |
Part of the price gap comes from physical presence: a Riviera agency can come to the studio and visit a site. Kolonell does not hold in-person meetings; a project manager works in your time zone, with a written update every week. The team is on GMT, one to two hours behind Montreux. Payment is by bank transfer or Wise, 50 % at kickoff and 50 % on delivery. Details are on our international website offer.
What does the site cost over three years?
We use a maintenance assumption identical on both sides, since Kolonell maintenance after the support period is quoted on request.
| Item over 36 months | Riviera agency (mid-range) | Kolonell Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Build, FR/EN version | 15 000 CHF plus 2 500 CHF for English | 8 200 CHF, bilingual included |
| Support included | Per contract | 6 months |
| Maintenance (same assumption) | 120 CHF a month for 30 months, i.e. 3 600 CHF | 3 600 CHF, quoted on request |
| Adding 6 projects | 6 hours at 140 CHF, i.e. 840 CHF | Quoted before work, assumption 700 CHF |
| Interior photographer (3 projects) | 3 600 CHF | 3 600 CHF, booked by the studio |
| Indicative total | 25 540 CHF | 16 100 CHF |
These amounts are for comparison, not prediction. The most useful step is to have every provider fill in this table line by line.
What does each package include for a Riviera studio?
| Item | Starter 2 700 CHF | Growth 4 500 CHF | Premium 8 200 CHF |
|---|---|---|---|
| Projects shown | Up to 8 | Sorted by type: apartment, villa, hospitality, retail | Detailed project pages with before and after |
| Services | Services page | Full design, space planning, colour consultation, home staging | One page per service, detailed process |
| Fees | Mention of the billing model | Explanation of fixed fee, percentage, hourly rate | Detailed first-meeting journey |
| Project enquiry | Short form | Budget, floor area, timeline, photos of the space | Journey by property type |
| Languages | French or English | French or English | Bilingual FR/EN |
| Timeline | 3 to 4 weeks | 3 to 4 weeks | Written schedule, usually 4 to 6 weeks |
A client area to share plans, samples and progress is a custom application, quoted on request, as is ongoing SEO.
What Montreux clients expect from a studio's website
The Riviera has a distinctive clientele. There are Belle Époque apartments with mouldings and parquet floors to preserve, villas above the lake between Clarens and Territet, winegrowers' houses in Lavaux, homes of well-off retirees who moved from abroad and families connected to the region's private schools. Hotels and restaurants matter too, with renovations of rooms, bars and reception halls. Many prospects compare two or three studios from abroad before even visiting the property. The site should therefore:
- Show heritage know-how: restoring mouldings, choosing lighting, fitting contemporary furniture into an older interior.
- Speak to non-French speakers: a careful English version avoids losing the British or American buyer of a Montreux apartment.
- Reassure on coordination: partner craftspeople (cabinetmakers, upholsterers, decorative painters), site supervision, realistic timelines.
- Qualify the enquiry: property concerned, floor area, indicative budget, move-in date, current photos.
- Show real press coverage only, with links to the articles.
On compliance, let's stay factual. Listed or protected buildings may require municipal or cantonal permission for some works: the site can explain that the studio supports these procedures, without promising an outcome. The nLPD, in force since 1 September 2023, governs forms and cookies; photos of a private home can be personal data, hence the owner's written consent and blurring of identifying details. Check each photographer's web licence. As far as we know, the title of interior architect is not protected at federal level; check with the VSI.ASAI professional association. Provide alt text for every image, with WCAG 2.1 AA as the reference. This is not legal advice.
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Which questions should you ask before signing?
- Who writes the English version, and is it really included in the price?
- Will the domain be in your name, and will you receive all access?
- How heavy are the gallery pages on mobile? Ask for WebP or AVIF images.
- How are added projects billed after delivery?
- Can maintenance be cancelled, and with what notice?
- Does a quote promise a Google ranking? That is a red flag.
Mini case study
Illustrative example. Claire D. runs a one-person studio in Montreux specialising in the renovation of older apartments, with about a third of her clients English-speaking. A Riviera agency quotes 14 000 CHF in French, plus 2 500 CHF for English, delivered in 10 weeks. Kolonell offers bilingual Premium at 8 200 CHF, with a written 5-week schedule.
Build gap: 16 500 CHF against 8 200 CHF, i.e. 8 300 CHF. With the photographer (3 600 CHF) and maintenance (3 600 CHF) identical, the three-year gap stays at 8 300 CHF. Claire D. chooses Kolonell, but keeps a Vevey photographer for every newly completed project.
FAQ
How much does an interior design studio website cost in Montreux in 2026?
As an order of magnitude, 8 000 to 28 000 CHF with a Riviera or Lausanne agency, 2 500 to 8 500 CHF with a freelancer. Kolonell charges a fixed 2 700, 4 500 or 8 200 CHF.
Is the English version included?
The bilingual FR/EN version is included in Premium at 8 200 CHF. In Starter and Growth, the site is written in one language, French or English.
Can Kolonell come and photograph my projects?
No, Kolonell does no shoots and no visits. A regional interior photographer often charges 1 000 to 1 500 CHF for a half day based on published rates, with a web licence to be specified.
Can I display my fees?
That is your choice: the site can explain the billing model (fixed fee, percentage of budget, hourly rate) without figures. Many studios prefer to discuss it at the first meeting, after 1 or 2 exchanges.
When is the site ready?
In 3 to 4 weeks for Starter and Growth, usually 4 to 6 weeks for Premium, once photos and information are supplied.
Let's scope your project. Send us your projects, your languages and the photos you have, and we will come back with a fixed-price package and a 3 to 6 week timeline. Request your free quote or see the international offer.
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.