The verdict in three sentences
For a two-partner atelier in Greenwich renovating colonials and shingle-style homes and designing a few backcountry estates, the hidden cost of a website is partner time, much more than the provider's invoice. A remote studio fits when you want a restrained portfolio, delivered fast, with few meetings; a local or Manhattan agency is justified if you are rebuilding your brand in workshops or want a partner that also handles press and events. Whatever you choose, domain, hosting and code must be in the atelier's name from the start.
How much partner time does each option consume?
In Greenwich, your clients are often finance executives commuting to Manhattan who expect a senior point of contact. Every hour spent in website meetings is an hour not billed. Here is an estimate of partner time per phase, valued at $250 per hour (a ballpark for a Fairfield County atelier).
| Phase | Local agency (hours) | Remote studio (hours) | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kickoff and brand workshops | 8 to 12 | 3 to 4 | In-room workshops include travel |
| Interviews for copy | 6 to 10 | 4 to 6 | Native copywriting included at Kolonell |
| Design reviews | 6 to 8 | 3 to 5 | 45-minute video calls with a studio |
| Photo selection and captions | 4 to 6 | 4 to 6 | With a studio, you coordinate the photographer |
| Pre-launch testing | 2 to 4 | 2 to 3 | Shared checklist |
| Total | 26 to 40 h | 16 to 24 h | |
| Value at $250 per hour | USD 6,500 to 10,000 | USD 4,000 to 6,000 | A USD 2,500 to 4,000 gap |
Note the honesty of the table: with a remote studio, photo logistics stay on your side. The time saved comes mainly from workshops and reviews.
What is the total cost over three years?
2026 ballpark, based on typical quotes and public rate pages from Manhattan and Fairfield County agencies, photography excluded.
| Option | Build | Maintenance per year | 3-year total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manhattan agency | USD 25,000 to 80,000 | USD 3,000 to 9,600 | USD 34,000 to 108,800 |
| Fairfield County agency | USD 15,000 to 45,000 | USD 1,800 to 6,000 | USD 20,400 to 63,000 |
| Freelancer | USD 4,000 to 12,000 | USD 600 to 2,400 | USD 5,800 to 19,200 |
| Kolonell Growth | USD 4,900 | estimate USD 900 to 2,400, on quote after 3 included months | about USD 7,600 to 12,100 |
| Kolonell Premium | USD 8,900 | estimate USD 900 to 2,400 | about USD 11,600 to 16,100 |
The Kolonell international grid (Starter $2,900, Growth $4,900, Premium $8,900) includes a project manager reachable in Eastern Time, native copywriting, delivery in 3 to 4 weeks and 3 months of support. Details on the international offer page.
When is the local agency the better choice?
Put plainly, choose a nearby agency if:
- you are changing your name or identity after a partner leaves and want in-person positioning workshops;
- your pipeline depends on design press and house tours, and you want an agency that places your projects in regional magazines;
- you complete projects every month and want an architectural photographer available at short notice;
- one of the partners signs off on nothing without a face-to-face meeting.
A remote studio is enough if your images exist and you want 10 to 20 filterable projects (renovation, new build, outbuildings, landscape), an atelier page presenting both partners and a qualification form (site address, square footage, timeline, budget, any historic district review).
Which questions should you ask both types of provider?
- Will the domain and hosting account be opened in our name, with admin access for both partners?
- Who holds the code and how do we export it if we change providers?
- Will photos be optimized (AVIF or WebP, lazy loading) so galleries pass Core Web Vitals on mobile?
- Do the photo licenses cover web, press and regional award entries?
- Do the bios respect the title architect? In Connecticut, as in every US state, licensing and the title fall under the state licensing board.
- Does the site target WCAG 2.1 AA, with an accessibility statement? ADA Title III demand letters reach small practices too.
- Which privacy notice for the form and cookies? The Connecticut Data Privacy Act applies above volume thresholds most ateliers do not reach, but it has been amended since adoption: check the current text.
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This is not legal advice.
Mini case study
Illustrative example: Claire and Tom Aldridge run a two-partner atelier in Old Greenwich. County agency option: $26,000 build, $300 per month of maintenance and 32 partner hours, so 26,000 + 36 × 300 + 32 × 250 = $44,800 over 3 years. Studio option: Kolonell Growth at $4,900, a $4,500 shoot, maintenance estimated at $150 per month after the 3 included months and 20 partner hours: 4,900 + 4,500 + 33 × 150 + 20 × 250 = $19,350. Gap: $25,450, time included. They request a free quote to scope 15 projects and an atelier page.
FAQ
Is a Manhattan agency worth it for a two-partner atelier?
Rarely for a portfolio alone: USD 25,000 to 80,000 as a 2026 ballpark, for a need often covered under USD 9,000. It is justified for a full rebrand.
How many partner hours should we plan with a remote studio?
About 16 to 24 hours over the whole project. The biggest item remains photo selection and captions.
Is the time difference an obstacle?
Not if the project manager is reachable in Eastern Time. A 30 to 45 minute weekly call is enough over 3 to 4 weeks.
Should we show prices or project budgets?
No detailed prices, but a budget range in the form filters inquiries. A single 4-option question often screens out 30 to 50% of off-target requests.
Who updates the portfolio afterwards?
You do, through the CMS, in 20 to 30 minutes per project. The 3 months of support cover onboarding.
Let's scope your project. A renovation portfolio, atelier page and qualification form for a Greenwich atelier, from USD 2,900 to 8,900 in 3 to 4 weeks. 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.