The verdict in three sentences
For a Guildford property management company that lets and hands over new-build schemes for developers, the website is first a launch tool: it has to be live before the show flat opens, capture register-interest leads and display the regulatory information (fees, redress, client money protection). A remote studio with a fixed grid (Starter £2,300, Growth £3,900, Premium £6,900) handles this well when the developer's photography and CGIs already exist and decisions are taken over video. A Surrey or London agency remains the better call when the scheme needs repeated on-site shoots, in-person developer meetings or a bespoke reservation module tied to a sales CRM.
What does a new-build lettings site need?
A standard lettings site lists properties as they come. A new-build lettings site works in releases: one page per scheme, an availability grid per unit, a waiting list built months before completion, then a handover phase with snagging requests. Developers judge you on how fast the first units let.
| Feature | Why it matters for new-build | Build note |
|---|---|---|
| Dedicated page per scheme | the developer wants its page before launch | reusable template, one page per scheme |
| Availability grid (unit, beds, rent, status) | applicants filter by release | CMS-managed table, feed on quote |
| Register-interest form with consent | builds the launch list | UK GDPR consent fields, PECR for emails |
| Fees and redress block | display duty in England | static page plus footer reminder |
| Snagging and maintenance form | defect reports during the handover period | photo upload, routing to the developer |
| Tenant and landlord portal links | login to your existing software | links included, deeper integration on quote |
| Rightmove, Zoopla, OnTheMarket feeds | portals still bring most applicants | integration on quote |
On regulation, stay careful and check. In England, letting agents must belong to a government-approved redress scheme and a client money protection scheme, and display their fees on their website: confirm the exact wording with your scheme. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 is changing tenancy rules in England; review any tenancy wording on your site as the measures come into force. For data, the frame is UK GDPR, overseen by the ICO, plus PECR for cookies and email marketing. Target WCAG 2.2 AA for accessibility. This is not legal advice.
Which criteria should decide between a local agency and a remote studio?
Price matters, but it should not decide alone. For a new-build scheme, launch logistics weigh more.
| Criterion | Surrey or London agency | Remote studio (Kolonell) |
|---|---|---|
| Time zone | same clock as you | project manager reachable in UK hours |
| Developer meetings and show-flat visits | in person, easy | over video, site visits not included |
| Show-flat photography and video | often bundled or via a partner | local photographer, third-party cost |
| Copywriting | UK English, local tone | native English or French copywriting included |
| Build price | 2026 ballpark £6,000 to £18,000 | £2,300, £3,900 or £6,900 fixed |
| Time to launch | typically 6 to 12 weeks | 3 to 4 weeks |
| Domain and code ownership | to clarify in the contract | to clarify in the contract, domain in your name |
| Support | monthly retainer common | 3 months included, then on quote |
The local ranges are a 2026 ballpark drawn from typical agency quotes and public agency rate pages: a Surrey freelancer often charges £2,500 to £6,000, a Guildford or Surrey studio £6,000 to £15,000, a London property-specialist agency £15,000 to £40,000. Template sites from proptech vendors start lower, with a monthly subscription and limited room for customisation. Our tiers are detailed on the international offer page.
What does each option cost over three years?
| Line | Surrey agency (ballpark) | London specialist (ballpark) | Kolonell Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Build | £9,000 | £22,000 | £3,900 |
| Show-flat photography | often included | included | local photographer, £600 to £1,200 (third-party cost) |
| Maintenance over 3 years (market assumption) | £3,600 to £9,000 | £9,000 to £18,000 | 3 months included, then on quote |
| Adding a new scheme later | £400 to £1,000 | £800 to £2,000 | on quote |
| Portal feeds | on quote | on quote | on quote |
| Build plus maintenance | £12,600 to £18,000 | £31,000 to £40,000 | £3,900 plus maintenance on quote |
The market maintenance assumption is £100 to £250 a month for a Surrey agency and £250 to £500 a month for a London specialist, over 36 months.
When is a Surrey or London agency the better choice?
To be honest, the local agency wins in several situations.
- The developer insists on an in-person pitch with its sales team and architect.
- The scheme completes in phases, with an on-site shoot for each release.
- You need a reservation module with holding deposits, connected to the developer's sales CRM.
- You want one supplier for the website, site hoardings, brochures and CGIs.
- Your board requires a local supplier for procurement.
A remote studio is enough when visuals come from the developer, when one or two people decide, and when every scheme follows the same page template.
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Questions to ask both types of provider: who owns the domain and the code? How do we add a scheme without a developer? Is WCAG 2.2 AA testing planned before handover? Where is form data stored? What does a portal feed cost? What happens if the developer rebrands? How are access rights handed over at the end of the contract?
Mini case study
Illustrative example. Hannah runs a small Guildford property management company specialising in new-build lettings and handovers. A developer gives her a 48-flat block. She gets two quotes: a Surrey agency at £11,500 over 10 weeks, and Kolonell Growth at £3,900 over 4 weeks, to which she adds a local photographer at £900 (third-party cost).
Budget gap: £11,500 minus £4,800, so £6,700. The site also goes live about 6 weeks earlier, leaving more time to build the waiting list. If 10 units let 2 weeks sooner at £1,650 pcm, roughly £381 a week, the developer brings forward about £7,600 in rent (10 × 381 × 2). Hannah keeps the local agency for hoardings and printed brochures.
FAQ
Can a remote studio handle several schemes on one site?
Yes, with a page template per scheme and an availability grid in the CMS. The Growth tier at £3,900 covers this for a few schemes; beyond that, the scope is set in the quote.
Do we need a Rightmove or Zoopla feed from launch?
Not necessarily: many firms publish to the portals through their property software and use the site for the waiting list. A direct feed integration is priced on quote.
Does the Renters' Rights Act 2025 change what we display?
The Act mainly changes tenancy rules in England, with phased commencement. Plan a site review at each stage and check the required notices with your redress scheme.
Who owns the site at the end of the project?
The contract must say so explicitly: domain, hosting and code in your name. At Kolonell, the domain is registered in the client's name and access is handed over at delivery, within 3 to 4 weeks.
Should the site meet WCAG 2.2 AA?
It is the recommended target for a very varied tenant audience. Ask for testing on at least 5 key templates before acceptance, whichever provider you choose.
To compare on paper, request a free quote with the timeline of your next scheme attached.
Let's scope your project. A new-build lettings site with scheme pages, waiting list and snagging form, on the Growth tier at £3,900 and live within 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.