The verdict in three sentences
In Boston, redesigning a property management company's website typically costs USD 20,000 to 45,000 with a mid-size local agency, against $4,900 (Growth) or $8,900 (Premium) on the Kolonell fixed grid (2026 ballpark for the local market). The budget matters less than three risks: losing rankings on neighborhood pages, breaking links to owner and tenant portals, and going live in the middle of the September 1 move-in rush. A well-run redesign takes 3 to 4 weeks of production once content is ready, and is best scheduled between November and April.
Which signals show a redesign is due?
- Owners and condominium associations ask you for a PDF overview because the site does not answer their questions.
- Neighborhood pages (Back Bay, the South End, Brighton, Cambridge, Somerville) are missing or all read the same.
- Links to the tenant portal or the maintenance request form move around with every update.
- The contact form asks for ID documents or bank statements, which do not belong in an open form.
- Pages on security deposits or broker fees have not been reviewed since the 2025 changes.
- The site cannot be used with a keyboard or on mobile, while ADA Title III website claims are frequent.
What budget should you plan over three years?
| Option | Build | Maintenance over 3 years | 3-year total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston agency, mid-size | USD 20,000 to 45,000 | USD 150 to 400/month, i.e. USD 5,400 to 14,400 | USD 25,400 to 59,400 |
| Specialized local studio | USD 10,000 to 22,000 | USD 100 to 250/month, i.e. USD 3,600 to 9,000 | USD 13,600 to 31,000 |
| Freelancer | USD 4,000 to 10,000 | USD 50 to 150/month, i.e. USD 1,800 to 5,400 | USD 5,800 to 15,400 |
| Kolonell Growth | USD 4,900 | 3 months included, then assumed market rate USD 100 to 200/month over 33 months, i.e. USD 3,300 to 6,600 (Kolonell maintenance on quote) | USD 8,200 to 11,500 |
| Kolonell Premium | USD 8,900 | 3 months included, then the same assumption: USD 3,300 to 6,600 (Kolonell maintenance on quote) | USD 12,200 to 15,500 |
Local figures are a 2026 ballpark drawn from typical agency quotes. Maintenance figures are market assumptions. The Starter tier at $2,900 suits a small firm with few service pages. Included in the grid: a project manager reachable in your time zone, native English copywriting, delivery in 3 to 4 weeks, 3 months of support. Details on the international offer.
What is a realistic timeline, phase by phase?
| Phase | Duration | Owner |
|---|---|---|
| Audit, URL inventory, content plan | 3 to 5 days | Kolonell with management |
| Copywriting and content approval | 1 to 3 weeks, before production | Company (approval), Kolonell (writing) |
| Design and development | 2 weeks | Kolonell |
| Integration, portal links, 301 redirect map | 1 week | Kolonell, tested by the company |
| Compliance review, accessibility tests, go-live | 3 to 5 days | Company and its counsel, Kolonell |
| Search Console monitoring | 6 weeks after go-live | Kolonell during included support |
Which risks, and how do you reduce them?
| Risk | Usual cause | Mitigation |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic loss on neighborhood pages | URLs changed without redirects | URL inventory, 301 map, Search Console monitoring |
| Owner and tenant portals hard to find | Moved or broken links | Link list, login tests before go-live |
| Excessive data collected | Overly broad forms | Minimal fields: no ID, no bank details, no proof of income |
| Outdated legal content | Deposit and fee pages not reviewed | Review by your counsel before go-live |
| Disruption during move-ins | Go-live in late August | Window between November and April |
| Broken listings feed | Feed URL changed | Separate line on quote, feed test |
This is not legal advice. Massachusetts security deposit law and the broker fee rules changed in 2025 are matters for your counsel: the site describes them without ever interpreting them. Massachusetts data security regulations (201 CMR 17.00) require protective measures for personal information. Licenses and registrations appear only as actually held. Emails to owners follow CAN-SPAM.
What stays on quote, and what should you ask the provider?
On quote: owner and tenant portals, maintenance request system, rent payment, accounting software integration, listings feed. These tools are kept and linked.
Questions to ask: who owns the domain and hosting? How many URLs will be redirected, and who checks the 301 map? How are portal links tested? What is the go-live date, and what happens if it slips into late August?
Kolonell built the website of Orven Properties (orvenproperties.com), a real estate company in Dubai: a different market, but the same discipline on service pages and enquiry forms.
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
When is a local agency the better choice? If your board or condominium associations require in-person workshops in Boston, or if the redesign includes a heavy integration specific to your management software, a local agency with that experience can justify its price.
Mini case study
Illustrative example: Megan, director of "Charlesgate Residential Services", a fictional company managing rental buildings and condominiums in Brighton and Somerville. Her site has 64 indexed URLs, 41 of which need redirects.
Kolonell Growth option: $4,900, plus maintenance at $150/month over 33 months (market assumption; Kolonell maintenance after the 3 included months on quote), i.e. $4,950: $9,850 over 3 years. The listings feed is priced separately, on quote. Local studio quote: $18,000 plus $200/month over 36 months, i.e. $7,200: $25,200. Go-live planned for March, well away from September 1.
FAQ
How many URLs need redirecting in a redesign?
Every URL that changes and receives traffic or links. A Boston property management firm often has 40 to 150 indexed URLs; the 301 map is checked line by line.
Do we need to rebuild the tenant portal?
No, in most cases it is kept and linked. A rebuild would cost several thousand dollars, on quote.
When should we go live?
Between November and April. September 1 concentrates a large share of Boston move-ins, with a spike in inquiries 4 to 6 weeks before.
What does the Kolonell price include?
$2,900, $4,900 or $8,900 depending on the tier, with native English copywriting, delivery in 3 to 4 weeks and 3 months of support. Maintenance after that is on quote.
Should security deposit pages be reviewed?
Yes, by your counsel, before go-live. Plan 3 to 5 days of review in the schedule.
Let's scope your project. Send your URL list and current portals: we confirm the tier, budget and a go-live date outside the move-in season. 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.
