The verdict in three sentences
For a heritage and conservation architecture practice in Quebec City, the website must demonstrate rare expertise, documented project by project, and meet two local requirements: French first and Law 25 on personal information. A remote studio works very well if the French copy is written by a native speaker and the domain, hosting and code stay in your name. A Quebec City agency regains the edge for a practice that wants a partner present at site visits, public launches and award submissions.
Which criteria separate a Quebec City agency from a remote studio?
Your clients are not those of a residential practice: parish councils and religious communities converting a building, owners of a historic house in the Old Québec heritage site, municipalities and public bodies. They judge your rigor before your style. The site therefore has to show surveys, historical analysis, reversible interventions and collaboration with traditional trades.
| Criterion | Quebec City agency | Remote studio (e.g. Kolonell) | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time zone | Eastern Time, identical | Project manager reachable during Quebec City hours | Time slots written into the contract |
| French copywriting | Native, local vocabulary | Native French writer required | Samples of technical writing |
| English version | Often subcontracted translation | Native English writing included | Quality for English-speaking clients |
| Photo, drone, photo surveys | Simple local coordination | Quebec City photographer hired by the practice | Written usage license |
| Domain and code ownership | Varies | Require it, as everywhere | Accounts in the practice's name |
| Build price (2026 ballpark) | CAD 10,000 to 35,000 | USD 2,900 to 8,900 | Actual inclusions |
| Timeline | 8 to 14 weeks | 3 to 4 weeks | Partners' review schedule |
The Quebec City ranges reflect typical quotes and public rate pages of Capitale-Nationale agencies for a practice site with a portfolio. The Kolonell grid is invoiced in US dollars, to compare at the day's rate.
What should a heritage practice website in Quebec City include?
- A filterable portfolio by type of intervention (restoration, rehabilitation, extension, adaptive reuse), by building period and by heritage status.
- Before and after project pages, with surveys, licensed archival photos, material choices and the trades involved.
- A publications, awards and talks page, updated from the CMS.
- A qualifying form: address, approximate year of construction, known heritage status, nature of the work, timeline, budget.
- Heavy images under control: AVIF and WebP, lazy loading, high-definition zoom on demand only.
Archival photos: check the rights with the archive center or the original photographer. For your own shoots, the photographer generally keeps the copyright unless it is assigned in writing. Drone shots over Old Québec require a pilot certified by Transport Canada and close attention to restricted zones.
Local frame: in Quebec, the title architect is protected and practice is overseen by the Ordre des architectes du Québec (OAQ). Present team titles correctly and credit collaborators. Law 25 requires, among other things, a published privacy policy, a designated person in charge of protecting personal information, and tracking tools turned off by default when they can profile or locate users. The Charter of the French Language requires your site to be available in French; an English version can be added. For accessibility, aim for WCAG 2.1 AA, ideally 2.2 AA, especially if you answer public tenders. This is not legal advice.
When should you choose the Quebec City agency, and when is a studio enough?
The local agency is honestly the better choice if you want it to document your sites continuously, to prepare award applications with you, or if a public client requires a Quebec supplier. It also is if you are rebuilding your whole brand. A remote studio is enough if your identity exists, you have quality photos and you want a fast, bilingual site that is easy to update. The packages are detailed in our international offer.
| 3-year cost line (ballpark) | Quebec City agency | Quebec City freelancer | Remote studio (Kolonell Growth) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Build | CAD 15,000 to 30,000 | CAD 4,000 to 10,000 | USD 4,900 |
| English version | CAD 1,500 to 4,000 | CAD 1,500 to 3,500 | Included |
| Law 25 setup (banner, policy) | Often included | Optional | Included in the site setup |
| Hosting and maintenance | CAD 4,500 to 13,000 | CAD 1,500 to 5,000 | On quote, budget USD 1,500 to 4,500 |
| Support included | Depends on contract | Rare | 3 months |
| Total excluding photo | CAD 21,000 to 47,000 | CAD 7,000 to 18,500 | USD 6,400 to 9,400 |
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Questions to ask both: who writes in French and what technical copy have they written before? How is the consent banner configured for Law 25? Will the domain sit with our registrar? What do you hand over at the end of the contract?
Mini case study
Illustrative example: Geneviève, partner architect in an 8-person restoration practice in Saint-Roch. She answers 10 tenders a year and believes her dated site costs her points at shortlisting. If a new site helps her win just one more mandate a year, worth CAD 60,000 in fees, the gain far exceeds the cost. Agency option: CAD 26,000 plus CAD 350 a month, so 26,000 + 12,600 = CAD 38,600 over 3 years. Growth studio option: USD 4,900 plus USD 100 a month for hosting and maintenance after the 3 months of support, so 4,900 + 3,300 = USD 8,200 over 3 years. She picks the studio and keeps a CAD 10,000 budget for two photo campaigns.
FAQ
Does my site have to be in French in Quebec?
Yes, the Charter of the French Language requires a French version for the commercial website of a Quebec business. An English version of 100 percent of the pages can be added without issue.
What does Law 25 require from a practice website?
Among other things, a clear privacy policy, a designated person in charge and profiling trackers turned off by default. A contact form should collect only the fields needed, often 5 to 7.
How much does an architecture firm website cost in Quebec City in 2026?
As a ballpark, CAD 10,000 to 35,000 with a local agency. Kolonell offers a fixed USD 2,900 to 8,900, delivered in 3 to 4 weeks.
Can I publish archival photos of heritage buildings?
Only with permission from the rights holder, often an archive center. Allow 2 to 6 weeks to obtain the licenses.
Let's scope your project. A French and English site, heritage project pages and Law 25 compliance for your Quebec City practice, from USD 2,900 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.