Managed Services
We Take Over Web Projects That Are Stalled, Broken, or Delivered Wrong
Most clients come to us after a failed engagement: missed deadlines, undocumented code, or a launch that breaks under real traffic. The question is not whether someone can finish the last 20%. It is whether the first 80% was built in a way worth finishing.
We start with a read-only audit. No production changes on day one. You get an inventory of credentials, a code quality assessment, and a recovery plan with honest timelines before you commit to a full takeover.
70%+
Enterprise projects fail before production
2 weeks
Typical audit phase
NDA
Standard on takeover work
Project diagnostic
Is your project stuck, or past the point of rescue?
Select your stack, check red flags that apply, and tick off credential gaps. You get an honest read on audit scope before any sales call.
Technology
Platforms we support
Git
WordPress
Shopify
React
Node.js
PHP
AWS
Docker
Figma
Jira
What you get
Core capabilities
Documentation audit
What exists, what is missing, and what was promised vs delivered.
Code quality review
Security issues, dead code, and dependencies that block progress.
Credential and access handoff
Hosting, repos, DNS, and third-party accounts mapped in one inventory.
Recovery roadmap
Phased plan: stabilize, fix blockers, then finish features with clear milestones.
Honest go/no-go call
We tell you when patch-forward is rational and when partial rebuild is cheaper.
Deploy pipeline restore
Git workflow, staging, and rollback paths rebuilt before new feature work.
How it works
Our process
1
Intake call
What was built, what broke, contracts with the prior vendor, and your hard deadline.
2
Read-only audit
We review repos, staging, and hosting without changing production.
3
Written recovery plan
Timeline, cost ranges, and what we will not promise if the codebase is unsalvageable.
4
Phased takeover
Stabilize live site first, then feature work under NDA and agreed milestones.
Stuck with a half-finished project?
Use the diagnostic above, then send us staging access or a repo link under NDA. We respond with audit scope within 2 business days.
Details
How this service works in detail
Warning signs you need a takeover audit
If three or more apply, stop adding features until the foundation is assessed.
| Signal | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| Agency stopped responding | Knowledge left with individuals, not documentation |
| No one can deploy locally | Missing env files, broken build, or no repo access |
| Live edits without Git | Production and codebase have diverged |
| Features exist only in Figma | Scope was sold but not built |
| Hosting login disputed | Account owned by vendor, not client |
| Security scan failed | Exposed keys, default admins, outdated dependencies |
What we review in the audit phase
Repository and deploy process: version control, branch strategy, CI/CD, environment parity, and whether staging exists.
Hosting and DNS: account ownership, SSL, backups, and separation of staging vs production.
Data model and integrations: CRM, payment, inventory, webhooks, and API keys mapped to business processes.
Security baseline: dependency versions, secret management, admin users, and public exposure of staging.
Feature gap analysis: promised scope from SOW or proposal compared to what runs in staging and production.
Audit deliverables (written, before you sign a build contract)
- Credential inventory: who owns hosting, DNS, repos, app store accounts, payment dashboards.
- Architecture sketch: how data flows between CMS, storefront, ERP, and marketing tools.
- Risk register: security, performance, and legal blockers ranked by severity.
- Recovery options: patch-forward estimate vs partial rebuild estimate, with assumptions stated.
- Go/no-go recommendation: our honest view on whether the timeline you need is achievable.
What we never do on day one
Mass plugin updates on live. Bulk refactors without staging. Feature additions before stability. Promising launch dates before the audit is complete. Taking ownership of accounts without written client authorization.
Phased takeover timeline (typical)
Actual dates depend on stack and access. Ranges below assume read-only audit is complete.
| Phase | WordPress / Woo | Shopify | Custom app |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audit | 5 to 10 days | 3 to 7 days | 10 to 14 days |
| Stabilize production | 2 to 4 weeks | 1 to 3 weeks | 3 to 6 weeks |
| Feature completion | Scoped per gap list | Scoped per gap list | Scoped per gap list |
When partial rebuild is the right call
About 30% of audits conclude that patching forward costs more than rebuilding a bounded slice: checkout flow, admin panel, or API layer. We say so in writing. Rebuild quotes are separate from audit fees so you can choose without pressure.
Common rebuild triggers: framework end-of-life, no tests and no types, database schema that does not match the product, or a theme so over-customized that updates are impossible.
What to prepare before the intake call
- Contract or SOW with the prior vendor (redacted fees are fine).
- List of features marked done vs not done from your perspective.
- Any access you already have: repo, staging URL, hosting invite.
- Hard deadline and what happens if you miss it (event, funding, season).
- Whether the prior vendor is willing to cooperate on handoff.
Stacks we take over most often
WordPress and WooCommerce: plugin conflicts, custom theme debt, checkout plugins stacked without architecture.
Shopify: theme forks, app sprawl, broken webhooks, inventory sync failures.
Custom PHP and Laravel: missing docs, cron jobs nobody understands, APIs without versioning.
React and Node.js: half-finished SPAs, auth flows incomplete, deployment only works on one developer laptop.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
When should we consider a takeover instead of fixing in-house?
When the original agency is unresponsive, documentation is missing, or your internal team cannot map the codebase in two weeks. Takeover makes sense when the business deadline is real and the current path is stuck.
What do you need from us to start?
Staging or repo access, hosting login, list of promised features, and any contracts or SOWs with the prior vendor. NDA is standard.
Will you work with the previous agency?
Sometimes. If they are willing to hand off cleanly, we coordinate. If not, we work from repos and exports only.
How long until we know if the project is salvageable?
Most audits take one to two weeks. You get a written go/no-go recommendation with cost ranges.
What if the code is not worth saving?
We say so. Rebuild quotes are separate. About 30% of takeover audits end in partial rebuild rather than patch-forward.
Can you meet a launch date in 30 days?
Not before the audit. We do not commit to launch dates until we have read the code and access inventory.
What does the audit deliverable include?
Credential map, architecture diagram, risk register, feature gap list (promised vs built), and phased recovery estimate.
Ready for a takeover assessment?
Share repo access or staging URL under NDA. We deliver an audit summary before any rebuild quote.
