The verdict in three sentences
For a workplace design firm targeting CFOs and HR leaders, the website has to prove one thing: you know how to turn expensive square footage into workspace people actually use. A project portfolio with before/after views, backed by square footage and budget figures, and a space-per-employee calculator convert better than a gallery of beautiful photos. The New York market prices this type of website at USD 40 000 to 100 000 in 2026, an amount to weigh against the fees from a single 12 000 sq ft project.
The budget benchmarks your prospects look for
A CFO considering a fit-out wants to know the cost per square foot before launching an RFP. Publishing honest ranges positions you as the expert and filters out off-budget enquiries. Here are 2026 estimates observed in Manhattan, excluding rent and base building work.
| Fit-out level | Indicative cost per sq ft | Typical scope |
|---|---|---|
| Refresh | USD 40 to 80 | Paint, flooring, reuse of existing furniture |
| Standard open plan | USD 150 to 220 | Light partitions, lighting, mid-range new furniture |
| Quality hybrid office | USD 220 to 300 | Acoustic pods, equipped hybrid rooms, informal areas |
| Flagship headquarters | USD 300 to 400 and up | Premium materials, branding, client hospitality floor |
| Furniture only | USD 4 000 to 10 000 per workstation | Desk, ergonomic chair, storage |
| Design and project management fees | 6 to 12 % of construction | Programming, drawings, bidding, site supervision |
The space calculator: the tool that books meetings
The calculator asks for headcount, on-site attendance and work style, then returns a target area, a desk count and a budget range. The rules rely on public benchmarks that you adjust to your own method.
| Parameter | 2026 benchmark | Source or use |
|---|---|---|
| Usable area per person | 125 to 175 sq ft | Common US planning range |
| Total area per workstation, circulation included | 150 to 250 sq ft | Workplace strategy practice |
| Desk-to-employee ratio in hybrid offices | 0.6 to 0.8 | Depending on remote work |
| Meeting seats | 1 per 4 to 6 employees | 4 to 8-seat hybrid rooms |
| Informal and collaboration areas | 10 to 15 % of the floor | Pantry, project zones, pods |
| Targeted rent saving with hybrid | 15 to 30 % | After footprint reduction |
Every simulation ends with a meeting proposal with the founder or a project lead. The prospect leaves with a PDF summary, which circulates your name inside the client organisation, from the CFO to the leadership team.
Website budget: line by line
| Component | Market budget | What drives the price |
|---|---|---|
| 15 to 25-page custom website | USD 18 000 to 40 000 | Motion design, art direction |
| Portfolio of 30 projects with before/after | USD 7 000 to 18 000 | Filters by size, sector, budget |
| Space and budget calculator | USD 6 000 to 15 000 | Number of parameters, PDF export |
| Audience pages (CFO, HR, hybrid work) | USD 2 000 to 6 000 | Expert copywriting, case studies |
| Project photography and video | USD 4 000 to 12 000 | Existing or new shoots |
| SEO and expert content at launch | USD 3 000 to 9 000 | Manhattan, Brooklyn, Jersey City pages |
| Total | USD 40 000 to 100 000 |
Kolonell works remotely for international clients and quotes from its 11/10/2026 grid: a portfolio website with a simple calculator sits in the Premium tier, 3 050 to 5 340 EUR. An advanced configurator with interactive floor plans falls under custom applications from 3 810 EUR, and maintenance starts at 50 EUR per month.
Mini case study
Rachel founded a workplace strategy studio in the Flatiron District. A typical project covers 12 000 sq ft at USD 220 per sq ft, so USD 2.64 million of construction, with an 8 % fee: USD 211 200 for the studio.
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
If the new website, driven by the calculator and the portfolio, brings two extra projects a year, additional fees reach USD 422 400. With a USD 70 000 website, the first signed project covers the investment three times over. On time, the calculator replaces a 2-hour scoping meeting for one enquiry in three.
FAQ
Should project budgets appear in the portfolio?
A range per project (for example USD 200 to 250 per sq ft) reassures CFOs without exposing clients. Get written consent and anonymise where needed: 60 to 70 % of clients accept an anonymised case sheet.
How long does it take to launch the website?
Allow 8 to 12 weeks, including 2 to 3 weeks to write the 30 project sheets. The calculator can ship at the same time if the rules are validated by week two.
Could the calculator raise false expectations?
It shows ranges, never a firm price, and states its assumptions. Above 25 000 sq ft or for multi-site relocations, it routes the visitor to a meeting.
How do I reach HR leaders as well as CFOs?
A dedicated page covers wellbeing, acoustics and talent attraction, with indicators such as desk utilisation, often 40 to 60 % before a project. CFOs get the cost per square foot and rent saving story.
Do I need content for out-of-state or international clients?
For subsidiaries of European groups in New York, a few pages on local codes and lease negotiation support help. Budget USD 2 000 to 4 000 for this specialised content.
Let's scope your project. Send us the number of projects to showcase, your target audiences and your sizing rules, and we will price the website, portfolio and calculator with an indicative budget and an 8 to 12-week schedule. 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.
