The verdict in three sentences
For a timber construction and structural engineering firm in Fribourg, the deciding question is bilingualism: a French and German site that reads naturally in both languages, without one being a rough translation of the other. A genuinely bilingual Fribourg agency remains the better choice if you want to write both versions in on-site workshops and keep the same contact for years. If your priority is a clear, fast site delivered before a deadline, a remote studio writing native French or English, with the German review handled by a third party, covers the need for CHF 4,500 (Growth, one language) or CHF 8,200 (Premium, the multilingual tier, languages set in the quote).
How much does a bilingual site cost depending on the provider?
Fribourg sits on the language border: your owners, municipalities, architects and partner contractors may be French- or German-speaking, sometimes within the same project. A firm designing roof structures, timber frames and timber buildings, in the Swiss timber construction tradition and around projects such as those in the bluefactory innovation district, often has to address both. If you are an English-speaking founder running such a firm in Fribourg, the language question is even sharper. Here are the language scenarios, as 2026 ballparks.
| Scenario | Bilingual Fribourg agency | Freelancer | Kolonell | Possible third-party cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| French only | CHF 12,000 to 25,000 | CHF 6,000 to 12,000 | Starter CHF 2,700 or Growth CHF 4,500 | None |
| French and German | CHF 18,000 to 35,000 | CHF 8,000 to 16,000, translation extra | Premium CHF 8,200 (the multilingual tier, languages set in the quote) | Independent native German reviewer: CHF 1,200 to 2,500 |
| French, German and English | CHF 22,000 to 42,000 | Rarely offered | Premium CHF 8,200, languages set in the quote | Independent native German reviewer: CHF 1,200 to 2,500 |
| Timeline, bilingual version | 10 to 16 weeks | 8 to 12 weeks | 3 to 4 weeks, plus about 1 week of third-party review | |
| Bilingual updates after launch | Hourly, CHF 120 to 180 | Hourly, CHF 80 to 130 | On quote after 3 months of support |
These ranges come from typical quotes and public rate pages of agencies in western and central Switzerland; they are not survey results. Kolonell writes native French or English; German goes through a native review that you assign to a third party. Tier details are on our international offer.
When is a Fribourg agency clearly the better choice?
To be honest about it: a bilingual local agency wins if your partners want to work the German and French copy in workshops, sentence by sentence, with someone who knows regional nuances. It also wins if the site is part of an identity overhaul, with site hoardings, brochures and vehicle livery, or if you want a team that comes back every season to film a timber frame being erected. And if the site must connect to a planning or estimating tool already maintained in Fribourg, staying local simplifies coordination; at Kolonell, that kind of development is priced on quote.
A remote studio is enough when the identity exists, when a German-speaking colleague or an independent reviewer can validate the German, and when you want a fast site for candidates and owners. Time zones are effectively the same: the Kolonell project manager is reachable during your office hours, by video.
Which clauses should you require, whatever the provider?
The contract matters as much as the choice of provider. Here are the clauses to require, especially for a site that will publish photos of building sites and your workshop.
| Clause | Why it matters | Wording to require | Common trap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domain ownership | The .ch is your public address | Domain registered in the company's name | Domain in the agency's name |
| Code ownership | Change provider without rebuilding | Code assigned on delivery, admin access | Usage licence on an in-house CMS |
| Photo and drone rights | Reuse images in bids and reports | Assigned to the firm for all uses, owner approval obtained | Rights limited to the website |
| Language review | Avoid clumsy German | Number of review rounds and named native reviewer | Unreviewed machine translation |
| Delivery date | Prequalifications and hiring campaigns | Written launch date and a reduction if late | Indicative schedule only |
| Handover | Leave cleanly | Full export, documentation, transfer of access | Unannounced exit fees |
On the rules, the revised Federal Act on Data Protection (nLPD/revFADP) has applied since 1 September 2023 under FDPIC supervision: a clear privacy notice, especially for CVs received through forms. The GDPR may also apply if you target people living in the EU. Make WCAG 2.1 AA an acceptance criterion. On content, publish a reference only with the owner's approval, describe your approach to health, safety and sustainability in general terms, and mention professional titles only as they are actually held. This is not legal advice.
Mini case study
Illustrative example: Claire Overney co-runs a 28-person firm in Fribourg combining a timber structural design office and a prefabrication workshop. She wants a French and German site with references, a careers page (carpenters, draughtspeople, timber engineers) and prequalification documents. A bilingual Fribourg agency quotes CHF 30,000 and 14 weeks.
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Her remote option: Kolonell Premium at CHF 8,200 (the multilingual tier, languages set in the quote: French and German), an independent native German reviewer at CHF 1,600 and two days with a third-party local photographer (site and workshop) at CHF 1,700 per day, CHF 3,400. Total: CHF 13,200, or CHF 16,800 less. Spread over three years, the build investment comes to CHF 4,400 per year against CHF 10,000 per year for the agency, maintenance excluded in both cases. The site goes live in about 5 weeks, German review included.
FAQ
Can a remote studio deliver a good French and German site?
Yes, if the German is reviewed by a native speaker. Kolonell writes native French or English; plan an independent German reviewer, typically CHF 1,200 to 2,500 for 12 to 20 pages.
Does a Fribourg timber firm need an English version?
Rarely for local markets. It becomes useful if you target international investors or candidates; Premium at CHF 8,200 is the multilingual tier, languages set in the quote.
How much do site and workshop photos cost?
A third-party local photographer typically charges CHF 1,500 to 3,000 per day. Workshop prefabrication photographs well in half a day, scheduled around the production plan.
Is Growth at CHF 4,500 enough?
For a French-only site with references, careers and documents, yes. As soon as German is needed, move to Premium at CHF 8,200.
What happens after launch?
Three months of support are included, then maintenance is on quote. Because the domain and code are in your name, you can also hand ongoing work to a Fribourg provider.
To price your bilingual project, request a free quote with your page list.
Let's scope your project. A French and German site for a Fribourg timber construction firm, from CHF 4,500 to 8,200, live in 3 to 4 weeks plus third-party review. 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.