The verdict in three sentences
For an interior design and fit-out studio in Dubai, a redesign with a local agency costs a 2026 ballpark of AED 45,000 to 120,000, roughly USD 12,000 to 33,000, while Kolonell's grid is fixed at USD 2,900 (Starter), USD 4,900 (Growth) and USD 8,900 (Premium), delivered in 3 to 4 weeks once content is ready. The budget hinges mainly on two choices: an Arabic version with right-to-left layout, and how many projects you migrate with their photos and video. The main risk is losing the enquiries your project pages bring in today, hence a redirect map and forms tested before the switch.
How do you know a redesign is due?
In Al Quoz, Business Bay, Dubai Design District or Jumeirah, studios delivering villas, hospitality projects and office fit-outs sell with images first. The classic signals: 40-photo galleries left uncompressed that take more than 5 seconds to appear on mobile, projects sorted by year rather than by type (villa, hospitality, office), an Arabic version that is missing or limited to the home page, enquiries landing through a form with no acknowledgement, and a site the team cannot update itself.
A wording point: present the team as interior designers and fit-out specialists, not as architects, unless individuals are actually licensed to use that title. Copy should also avoid citing awards or projects the studio cannot document.
What budget for which scope?
Local ranges are 2026 ballparks based on typical agency quotes and public rate pages of Dubai agencies; AED amounts are converted approximately.
| Redesign scope | Dubai agency | Freelancer | Kolonell |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compact portfolio, English only, 15 projects | AED 45,000 to 70,000 (about USD 12,000 to 19,000) | AED 12,000 to 25,000 (about USD 3,300 to 6,800) | Starter, USD 2,900 |
| Filterable portfolio, journal, 40 projects | AED 60,000 to 95,000 (about USD 16,000 to 26,000) | AED 20,000 to 35,000 (about USD 5,400 to 9,500) | Growth, USD 4,900 |
| English and Arabic with RTL layout | AED 85,000 to 120,000 (about USD 23,000 to 33,000) | rarely offered | Premium, USD 8,900 (the multilingual tier, languages and RTL scope set in the quote) |
| Project video walkthroughs | often an option | not included | embedding included, filming by a third-party videographer |
| Client area, furniture catalogue, CRM integration | on quote | rare | on quote |
Every Kolonell tier includes a project manager reachable in your time zone, native English or French copywriting, 3 months of support and delivery in 3 to 4 weeks. Arabic copy is handled by a freelance translator (third-party cost). Details on the international offer.
What timeline, and who owns each risk?
| Week | Kolonell | Typical local agency |
|---|---|---|
| Before kickoff | photos, video and copy gathered by the studio | often produced during the project |
| 1 | URL inventory, project structure, templates | workshops and brief, 2 to 3 weeks |
| 2 | English and Arabic design, project migration | design, 3 to 5 weeks |
| 3 | forms, redirects, image optimisation | build, 4 to 6 weeks |
| 4 | testing, copy review, go-live | QA and launch, 1 to 2 weeks |
| Risk | Who owns it | Check before go-live |
| Project URLs changed without 301 redirects | provider | old URL / new URL spreadsheet verified at 100% |
| Galleries too heavy | provider | WebP/AVIF images, under 2.5 s on mobile |
| Incomplete or misaligned Arabic version | studio and third-party translator | native review page by page |
| Enquiries lost during the switch | provider | form tested in English and Arabic, backup copy |
| Site downtime | provider | TTL lowered 48 hours before, midweek switch |
| Unverifiable claims (prices, awards, projects) | studio | marketing review before go-live |
On data, Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 on personal data protection applies to onshore businesses, and firms established in the DIFC fall under the DIFC's own data protection law. In both cases: a form limited to property type, floor area, area of the city and timing, and a visible privacy notice. This is not legal advice.
When is a Dubai agency the better option?
If the redesign comes with a new identity, shoots coordinated across several villas and weekly meetings at the studio, a local agency brings real value, as it does for original Arabic copy managed on site. If your identity is stable and the work is about the portfolio, speed and the Arabic version, a fixed grid is enough. Questions to ask: is the domain in your name, who owns the code, how many redirects are included, who reviews the Arabic and what warranty period applies.
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Illustrative example: Layla runs a fit-out studio in Al Quoz that publishes 45 projects in English. She wants an Arabic version and three villa video walkthroughs. Chosen option: Premium at USD 8,900, Arabic translation by a freelance translator (third-party cost, about USD 1,000), filming by a local videographer (third-party cost, about USD 2,400). Total: 8,900 + 1,000 + 2,400 = USD 12,300, against an agency quote of AED 95,000, roughly USD 25,900. Each of her 45 project pages gets a 301 redirect, checked in Search Console for 30 days.
FAQ
How much does an interior design studio website redesign cost in Dubai?
With a local agency, about AED 45,000 to 120,000, or USD 12,000 to 33,000. With Kolonell, USD 2,900, 4,900 or 8,900 depending on the tier.
Does the Arabic version double the budget?
Not with Kolonell: it falls under Premium at USD 8,900, the multilingual tier with RTL scope set in the quote. Translation remains a third-party cost, often USD 600 to 1,500.
How long does the project take?
3 to 4 weeks once photos, video and copy are ready. Local agencies usually quote 10 to 16 weeks.
Should we keep the old project URLs?
Not necessarily, but each one must 301 redirect to its new page. For 45 projects, allow half a day to a day of checking.
Is maintenance included?
3 months of support are included in every tier. After that, maintenance is on quote.
To price your portfolio, request a free quote.
Let's scope your project. Send your project count, languages and target date and we will price the redesign between USD 2,900 and 8,900, with redirects and tested forms included. 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.
