The verdict in three sentences
Before starting over, get a rescue audit: it reveals whether the existing code is salvageable or doomed. Depending on its state, a rescue costs 40 to 80 % of a new project, often less than redoing everything. The real risk isn't technical: it's failing to recover code ownership, access and hosting before breaking with the old agency.
Diagnose before deciding
A "failed" project covers very different realities: delivery delay, blocking bugs, unreadable code, or an unreachable agency. The rescue audit quantifies the gap between what exists and a functional deliverable. Here are the areas a serious audit inspects in 2026.
| Audited area | What we check | Warning sign |
|---|---|---|
| Code quality | readability, tests, architecture | zero tests, duplicated code |
| Technical debt | obsolete dependencies, flaws | unmaintained libraries |
| Ownership & access | Git repo, accounts, DNS | code not delivered, access blocked |
| Compliance | GDPR, legal notices, security | unencrypted data |
| Documentation | README, specs, history | no docs, no clear commits |
| Hosting | server, backups, domain | domain in agency's name |
A rescue audit is billed in 2026 between 2,000 and 8,000 EUR excl. tax depending on project size. It's an investment: it turns an emotional decision ("scrap it all") into a costed trade-off.
How much a rescue costs depending on state
The rescue cost depends directly on the share of salvageable code. Here are 2026 orders of magnitude for a project whose new build would cost 30,000 EUR excl. tax.
| State of existing | Salvageable code | Rescue cost | % of a new project | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good, poorly documented | 80 % | 12,000 EUR | 40 % | 3-5 weeks |
| Functional, medium debt | 60 % | 18,000 EUR | 60 % | 5-8 weeks |
| Buggy, heavy debt | 40 % | 24,000 EUR | 80 % | 8-12 weeks |
| Unusable | 10 % | 28,000 EUR | 93 % | near-full rebuild |
Below 40 % salvageable code, a rescue often makes no sense: a clean rebuild will cost barely more without dragging the debt. That is exactly what the audit lets you decide.
Securing the legal and technical transition
Before notifying the old agency, lock down three things. First, code ownership: check your contract (rights assignment) and recover the entire Git repository. Then access: hosting, domain name (must be in YOUR name), CMS accounts, DNS, third-party APIs. Finally compliance: GDPR, backups, certificates. Without these, you risk paying for a rescue on a foundation you don't legally own.
Mini case study
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Marc, head of a services SME in Nantes, paid 22,000 EUR to an agency that vanished with a site 70 % done, buggy and undelivered. A rescue audit at 3,500 EUR excl. tax reveals 60 % of the code is salvageable. The rescue is quoted at 15,000 EUR excl. tax over 7 weeks, versus 30,000 EUR for a new build. Marc first recovers the domain (locked in the old agency's name) via a formal notice, then the Git repo. Total rescue cost: 3,500 + 15,000 = 18,500 EUR excl. tax, saving 11,500 EUR versus a rebuild, with a site live in under two months. Without the audit, he would have scrapped everything blindly.
FAQ
How much does a rescue audit cost in 2026?
Between 2,000 and 8,000 EUR excl. tax depending on size and complexity. Most serious agencies deduct it from the rescue cost if you continue with them.
Can I recover my code if the agency stops responding?
Yes, if your contract provides for rights assignment and the code is on an accessible repository. Otherwise, a lawyer's formal notice (300-800 EUR) often unblocks the situation in 2026.
Is rescuing always cheaper than rebuilding?
No. Below 40 % salvageable code, a rescue approaches 80-90 % of a new build's cost while keeping the debt. The audit is what lets you decide objectively.
What if the domain is in the agency's name?
Recover it first: it's your most critical asset for SEO and email. A formal notice usually suffices; otherwise, ICANN/registrar bodies have dispute procedures.
How long does a rescue take?
From 3 to 12 weeks depending on code state. A heavy-debt project can take as long as a new build; that's why timeline is part of the trade-off, not just price.
Let's scope your project. Describe the state of your stalled project (tech stack, % done, available access): we'll run a rescue audit and give you a rescue vs. rebuild costing. 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.
