The verdict in three sentences
A premium portfolio website redesign for an architecture firm sits between 9,000 and 18,000 EUR ex. VAT in 2026, excluding photography and 3D rendering. The realistic timeline is 8 to 12 weeks, with a UX/design day rate of 550 to 700 EUR depending on seniority. The real return is not the site itself but the qualified quote requests it generates: expect +35% in the first year when local SEO and load times are handled properly.
What a 2026 range actually covers
An architecture firm sells aesthetics and rigour: the site must embody both. Here is a typical premium budget breakdown.
| Line item | 2026 range (EUR ex. VAT) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Scoping & UX (sitemap, wireframes) | 1,500 - 3,000 | 3 to 6 UX days |
| Art direction & UI design | 3,000 - 5,500 | desktop + mobile mockups |
| Integration & development | 4,000 - 7,500 | custom WordPress or headless |
| Content, SEO & go-live | 1,000 - 2,500 | copy, markup, redirects |
| Redesign total | 9,000 - 18,000 | excluding media |
| Project photography | 1,200 - 3,500 | 1 to 2 day shoot |
| 3D renders / CGI | 800 - 2,000 / view | depends on complexity |
Visual production is often underestimated: an architect's portfolio lives through its images, and a poorly calibrated photo undoes 15,000 EUR of design work.
Custom WordPress or headless Next.js?
The technical choice is not cosmetic: it decides speed, maintenance budget and how long the site lasts.
| Criterion | Custom WordPress | Headless Next.js |
|---|---|---|
| Initial cost | 9,000 - 13,000 EUR | 13,000 - 18,000 EUR |
| Core Web Vitals (mobile LCP) | 2.2 - 2.8 s | 1.1 - 1.6 s |
| Editorial autonomy | high | medium (headless CMS) |
| Annual maintenance | 15 - 18% of build | 12 - 15% of build |
| Lifespan before redesign | 3 - 4 years | 5 - 6 years |
| Security risk (plugins) | medium | low |
For a firm publishing 1 to 2 projects a month, custom WordPress remains rational. Beyond that, or if SEO is a strong commercial lever, headless pays back its premium through performance.
Mini case study
Helen, managing partner of a 9-person practice in London, rebuilds her site for 14,500 EUR ex. VAT (headless, 10 weeks) plus 2,800 EUR of photography. Her old site generated 4 qualified quote requests per month. After the redesign, local SEO ("architect London", "house renovation") and an LCP dropping from 3.1 s to 1.4 s push it to 5.4 requests/month, i.e. +35%. With a 20% win rate and an average fee of 22,000 EUR ex. VAT, the extra 1.4 requests per month represent a potential 73,000 EUR ex. VAT in annual work: the site pays for itself in under a quarter.
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FAQ
Why does an architect's site cost more than a standard brochure site?
Because art direction and project layout demand bespoke work, not a template. Design accounts for 30 to 40% of the budget versus 20% on a standard site.
Do I really need professional photography?
Yes. A portfolio is judged within 3 seconds on visual quality; a 1,500-3,500 EUR shoot protects the design investment.
How much is annual maintenance?
Allow 15 to 18% of build cost for WordPress, i.e. 1,400 to 2,700 EUR/year covering updates, backups and small changes.
How long until the site is live?
Eight to twelve weeks for a premium redesign, including 2 to 3 weeks of scoping and design approved before any development.
Is local SEO included?
Technical markup and structure yes; a durable local content campaign is then billed at 400 to 900 EUR/month depending on ambition.
Let's scope your project. Tell us about your practice, the number of projects to showcase and your deadline: we frame the scope, stack and an indicative budget between 9,000 and 18,000 EUR ex. VAT. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
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.
