Service
Laravel Project Takeover
Code audit, risk report and a 30/60/90 plan — before you change anything in production.
Taking over a project? I start with an audit, not a rewrite. I review architecture, dependencies, security, performance, tests, CI/CD and access. You receive a risk report, a priority list and a 30/60/90 plan. Then I secure the data and refactor module by module — without stopping production.
Last updated: 23.10.2026
Budget range
audit from 2,500 PLN net + VAT
Final fixed price after a free scope analysis — no hidden costs.
When you need a takeover
The previous vendor disappeared, documentation is missing and every change causes an incident. The project works, but you are afraid to develop it. There are no tests, CI/CD or monitoring. Releases take weeks and nobody understands half of the code. You need an audit before an investment, due diligence or a vendor change. In these cases a takeover starts with understanding the system, not rewriting it.
What I check in the audit
Architecture and module boundaries. Dependencies and framework versions. Security against the OWASP Top 10. Performance and bottlenecks. Tests and coverage of critical paths. CI/CD, deployments and rollback. Access, secrets and permissions. Infrastructure, backup and monitoring. You receive a risk report and recommendations — no sugar-coating.
Takeover plan
First the audit and risk report. Then a 30/60/90 plan with priorities and estimates. Next: backup, data protection and secret rotation. I add tests for critical paths and monitoring. I refactor module by module with small, reversible changes, without stopping production. Finally you decide: continue development, move to a retainer or hand the project over to your team.
What you receive
An audit report and risk list. A 30/60/90 day plan with estimates. Secured data and access. Critical path tests. A quote for further development. Documentation and recommendations. Everything in a form you can show to management, an investor or a new vendor.
How I reduce risk
I always start with a backup and a rollback path. Changes are split into small modules and released behind feature flags. I do not refactor everything at once. I monitor production after every release. If the risk is too high, we stop and fix the critical paths first. I do not take over a project if I cannot guarantee a safe process.
Takeover or rewrite?
A rewrite sounds tempting, but it usually costs more and takes longer than the budget assumes. A modular takeover keeps the business running and removes technical debt gradually. A rewrite makes sense when the system is truly unsupported and the maintenance cost exceeds the cost of a new application. In the audit I answer that question with concrete numbers, not an opinion.
How we work, step by step
A predictable process with clear deliverables and weekly demos.
Code and infrastructure audit
Architecture, dependencies, security, performance, tests, CI/CD and access.
Risk report and 30/60/90 plan
Priority list, estimates, risks and recommendations — the decision is yours.
Backup and data protection
Backup, access, 2FA, secret rotation and protection of critical paths.
Critical path tests
Pest/PHPUnit, smoke tests and monitoring — before we change anything.
Module-by-module refactoring
Small, reversible changes without stopping production.
Development or handover
Continue, move to a retainer, or hand over to your team.
Contract, security and code ownership
NDA before details
We sign an NDA before you share code or data.
Code in your repository
From the first commit I work in your GitHub, GitLab or Bitbucket.
Code ownership
The rules for transferring economic rights to the code and documentation are defined in the contract.
GDPR and data
Data processing agreement, least privilege, 2FA and access rotation.
SLA and response time
24–48 h for requests; critical incidents in priority mode. Scope defined in the contract.
Documentation and handover
OpenAPI, deployment instructions, training and knowledge transfer to your team.
Comparison
A practical comparison to help you choose the right model.
| Model | Best for | Cost | Risk | Control |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modular takeover | A working system that needs cleaning up | Audit + staged work | Low — small, reversible changes | High |
| Rewrite from scratch | An unsupported system where maintenance costs exceed a new build | High, long timeline | High — the business waits for a new version | Medium |
| Leave it as is | No budget and no critical risks | Lowest short-term | Technical debt grows, incident risk rises | Low |
Technology stack
Legal basis and standards
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- Laravel development Backend, APIs and integrations in Laravel.
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- Technical care and SLA Ongoing support after a takeover.
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- Case study: PHP application modernization Zero critical incidents for 12 months.
- Case study: CRM and client portal A Laravel application with an admin panel and client portal.
Worth reading
- Legacy code modernization step by step Audit, tests and refactoring of old code.
- Laravel application security — OWASP Top 10 Common vulnerabilities and how to close them.
- CI/CD and DevOps for Laravel Automated tests and safe deployments.
- Website maintenance — costs and scope Retainer, SLA and TCO of ongoing maintenance.
- Web application development cost [2026] Price ranges and engagement models.
- Laravel performance optimization guide Caching, queues, Eloquent and practical speed techniques.
FAQ
How much does a Laravel takeover audit cost?
The audit starts at 2,500 PLN net + VAT and usually covers 3–5 business days. The final price depends on project size, number of integrations and infrastructure condition. After the audit you receive a report, a 30/60/90 plan and a quote for further work.
How long does a takeover take?
Audit 3–5 days, plan 1–2 days, data protection and tests 2–5 days. The first production changes usually happen 2–4 weeks after the start. The pace depends on the project condition and priorities.
Do I have to stop production?
No. I work module by module, behind feature flags and with rollback. If the risk is too high, we fix the critical paths first and refactor the rest later.
Will you take over a project without documentation?
Yes. Missing documentation is one of the most common reasons for a takeover. I first reconstruct the system map, dependencies and critical paths, then document what matters most.
Do you sign an NDA?
Yes, as standard before receiving code and data. I can sign your NDA or provide my own.
Who owns the code after the takeover?
The code stays in your repository. The rules for transferring economic rights to new code and documentation are defined in the contract.
Will you fix bugs left by the previous vendor?
Yes, but I first assess risk and priorities. I do not promise to fix everything at once. Critical bugs are secured first; the rest is planned in the 30/60/90 plan.
Can you only advise, without taking over the project?
Yes. The audit can end with a report and recommendations, with no further engagement. You decide after seeing the risks and the quote.
Krzysztof Słonina
Senior full-stack developer, owner of Inoventis Solutions
16 years in PHP/Laravel, e-commerce integrations and legacy modernization. Author of technical articles on the informatix blog.
Results from real projects
PHP application modernization
Zero critical incidents for 12 months
Read the case studyCRM application and client portal
50% less time on administrative work
Read the case studyIndicative ranges for this service: see pricing
Web app requirements checklist
12 control questions to answer before talking to a vendor — faster estimates, fewer hidden costs.
Have a project that needs a takeover?
Describe the situation — I will reply within 24 h with the audit scope, price and start plan.
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