The verdict in three sentences
For a St Peter Port property management company running a multifamily or build-to-rent portfolio, the website is an occupancy tool: every vacant day across more than 100 flats adds up fast. A remote studio delivers in 3 to 4 weeks a site with building pages, availability and forms, for £2,300 (Starter), £3,900 (Growth) or £6,900 (Premium). A Guernsey agency makes sense if your buildings need continuous photo and video production, or if your board wants a partner present on the island for every decision.
Who does what in a build-to-rent website project?
The choice of provider depends a lot on what you can supply yourself. With a remote studio, a clear split of tasks prevents delays.
| Task | You (the operator) | The studio | A third party |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photos and video of buildings and amenities | booking and access | shot list | island photographer, third-party cost |
| Flat floor plans | supplied as PDF or image | layout | architect if plans are missing |
| Copy for building and service pages | sign-off | native English or French copywriting | none |
| Availability by flat type | updated in the CMS | table template | none |
| Link to the resident app | test credentials | link included, integration on quote | software vendor |
| Privacy notice | sign-off by your adviser | structured template | legal adviser |
| Domain name | registered in your name | configuration | registrar |
Local frame to check. Guernsey has its own data protection law, the Data Protection (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law 2017, overseen by the Office of the Data Protection Authority: application and maintenance forms must be covered by a clear notice. The island distinguishes local market and open market housing, which determines who can occupy a property: state the category of each home and have the wording checked. For accessibility, target WCAG 2.2 AA. This is not legal advice.
What does the timeline look like for each option?
| Week | Guernsey agency (typical) | Remote studio (Kolonell) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | kick-off meeting on site | 2 scoping video calls, sitemap |
| 2 | building visits, photo brief | copywriting, you book the local photographer |
| 3 | design routes | design and building pages |
| 4 | feedback, second round | forms, WCAG 2.2 AA tests, launch |
| 5 to 6 | development | included support (3 months in total) |
| 7 to 8 | acceptance testing, launch | post-launch adjustments |
Local prices are a 2026 ballpark, based on typical agency quotes and public agency rate pages: an island freelancer often charges £2,500 to £6,000, a Guernsey agency £5,000 to £14,000, a UK build-to-rent specialist agency £15,000 to £40,000. After the 3 months of included support, Kolonell maintenance is on quote; with an island agency, assume £100 to £250 a month as a market figure. The tiers are detailed on the international offer page.
When is the Guernsey agency the better choice?
To be frank, the island agency wins when:
- you open new buildings every year and want a shoot at each launch;
- your board wants an agency that attends meetings with investors and developers;
- the project includes a custom-built viewing booking and online signing module;
- you are also looking for a partner for signage, brochures and launch events.
A remote studio is enough when the site mainly has to present 2 to 5 buildings, show availability, take applications and link to the resident app.
Five questions to ask both providers: are the domain and code assigned to me at delivery? Can I edit availability without a developer? Where is applicant data hosted, and how long is it kept? What accessibility test is planned before launch? What does adding a new building next year cost?
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Illustrative example. Rob is operations director of a St Peter Port operator managing 140 flats across 3 buildings. With a 25% turnover rate, he re-lets about 35 homes a year, at an average rent of £1,750 a month, about £57.50 a day.
His current site shows no availability and applications arrive by email. He estimates that a Growth site at £3,900, with an availability table and an application form, would cut the average void by 4 days. Gain: 35 × 4 × 57.50, so about £8,050 a year. He compares it with an island quote of £12,000 for a similar scope: the £8,100 gap funds several days of a local photographer (third-party cost) across the three buildings.
FAQ
Should a build-to-rent site show rents?
It is strongly advised: applicants filter by budget first. A table per flat type, updated in minutes in the CMS, is included from the Growth tier at £3,900.
Can we offer online viewing bookings?
Yes, through a scheduling tool connected to the site or through your property software. The integration is priced on quote depending on the tool.
Do we need pages in several languages in Guernsey?
English is enough for most operators, but some residents speak Portuguese or an Eastern European language. The Premium tier at £6,900 is the multilingual tier, with languages set in the quote.
Which law governs applicant data?
The Data Protection (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law 2017, overseen by the Office of the Data Protection Authority. Plan a retention period, for example 6 to 12 months for an unsuccessful application, to confirm with your adviser.
How long does it take to launch the site?
3 to 4 weeks with a remote studio, if photos and floor plans are ready. An island agency usually quotes 7 to 8 weeks.
To compare the options on your portfolio, request a free quote with the number of buildings and flats you manage.
Let's scope your project. A build-to-rent website with building pages, availability and application forms, from £2,300 to £6,900 depending on the tier, live within 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.