labs@atheron:~/industries/saas/rescue$ recover --codebase --modernise

Codebase rescue

From fragile to releasable, without a rewrite.

Most inherited codebases do not need a rewrite; they need tests, fixes and someone who understands them. We review what you have, write up what we found, and make it safe to release again, starting with the parts that make money.

Start a project See the example projects

// what matters here

What is different in this industry.

A plain review first

Code, hosting and who holds the keys, written up before we change anything.

Protect the revenue

Tests around billing and the core workflow come first, so the next release cannot break them.

Your accounts, your keys

Hosting, domains and services moved into accounts you own.

A process to keep it healthy

A release process and documentation your next team can follow.

// example projects

Priced examples for this service.

Each one is hypothetical, labelled as such, and priced live from our rate card. Open any of them in the estimator and make it yours.

Example projectWeb app

Rescue of an inherited codebase

Hypothetical. Not a client, not a result.

// The problem

A SaaS startup's product was built by an agency that has moved on, the code has no tests, releases break billing, and the hosting is in an account nobody fully controls.

// What we would build

We review the code, the hosting and who holds the keys, write up what we found, then stabilise: tests around the parts that make money, fixes for what breaks, hosting moved into your own account, and a release process your next team can follow, with support while it settles.

// What is in it

A plain written review of code, hosting and access
Tests around billing and the core workflow first
Fixes for the faults that break releases
Hosting and keys moved into accounts you own
A release process your next team can follow

// Stack

Next.js
PostgreSQL
AWS
Terraform
GitHub Actions

// estimate

Build: ≈ US$89,300 to US$137,000, delivered within 19 weeksCAD 127,200 to 194,600
Hosting: ≈ US$492 a monthCAD 700 a month
Support: ≈ US$5,010 a monthCAD 7,135 a month

Prices in your currency are estimates from today's Bank of Canada rate. All invoicing is in CAD or USD.

Timeline by milestone

Discovery: 2.9 to 3.4 weeks
Design approved: 3.9 to 6.4 weeks
Core features: 2.9 to 4.4 weeks
Full build: 1.9 to 2.9 weeks
Testing and fixes: 0.9 to 1.4 weeks
Launch: 0.9 to 1.4 weeks

How it is paid

Deposit 20%: CAD 25,440 to 38,920
Discovery 7.7%: CAD 9,794.40 to 14,984.20
Design approved 7.7%: CAD 9,794.40 to 14,984.20
Core features 23.3%: CAD 29,637.60 to 45,341.80
Full build 15.5%: CAD 19,716 to 30,163
Testing and fixes 7.7%: CAD 9,794.40 to 14,984.20
Launch 8.1%: CAD 10,303.20 to 15,762.60
Holdback, 30 days after launch (10%): CAD 12,720 to 19,460

Start from this example

// questions

Questions we get about this.

Will you rewrite our inherited codebase?

Rarely. We fix and test what you have unless the review shows a rewrite is cheaper, and we will say so plainly.

Is the codebase review priced separately?

The review comes first and is quoted on its own; the stabilisation work is priced from what it finds.

Can you keep the product running during the rescue?

Yes. Releases continue, more safely, while the work goes on.

Back to the industry: Startups and SaaS companies About the service: Rescue and modernization

// next

Not quite your project?

Tell us what you have in mind. We will come back to you with a range and the questions that would narrow it. Or book a call and talk it through.

Start a project Book a call