The verdict in three sentences
Before putting another dollar into an abandoned application, pay for a takeover audit at CAD 6,000 to 15,000: it tells you whether the code is salvageable and at what price. If technical debt stays below 60% of the code, the takeover costs, as an order of magnitude, 40 to 70% of the original budget; beyond that, a targeted rewrite is often cheaper and faster. In every case, secure the access first (domain name, server, code repository) and sign an IP assignment contract with the new vendor.
The classic scenario in Montréal, and what it costs
The owner of a food distribution company in Montréal hired an independent developer to build an order, inventory and delivery management app for CAD 60,000. After 7 months and 75% of the amount paid, the freelancer stops answering. The server is rented in his name, so is the domain, and no code repository was ever shared. Sales reps are using a half-working version.
| Takeover step | Content | Cost 2026 (CAD) | Lead time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access recovery | Domain, host, app store accounts, database | 1,000 to 3,500 | 1 to 3 weeks |
| Code and architecture audit | Quality, security, debt, functional coverage | 5,000 to 11,500 | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Decision report | Take over, partially rewrite or start over | Included in audit | 3 to 5 days |
| Takeover and completion | Fixes, missing features, tests | 40 to 70% of original cost | 4 to 8 weeks |
| Targeted rewrite | Rebuild unsalvageable modules | 50 to 90% of original cost | 6 to 12 weeks |
| IP assignment and maintenance | Copyright, monthly support | 750 to 2,600 per month | Ongoing |
For a CAD 60,000 original budget, a takeover therefore lands between CAD 24,000 and 42,000, audit excluded.
Take over or rewrite: the decision grid
The audit measures several indicators. None is decisive alone, but together they give a decision you can defend to a partner or a banker.
| Indicator | Takeover recommended | Rewrite recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Share of reusable code | Over 60% | Under 40% |
| Framework and versions | Recent Laravel, Django, React | Obsolete versions or framework-less code |
| Critical security flaws | 0 to 3, fixable | Widespread SQL injection, plaintext passwords |
| Database | Coherent schema, clear relations | Duplicated tables, inconsistent data |
| Automated tests | Some existing tests | No tests, unpredictable behavior |
| Documentation | Partial but usable | None |
| Delivered features vs specification | Over 50% | Under 30% |
The 60% debt threshold is a practical benchmark: beyond it, every fix triggers others and the takeover budget drifts.
The legal framework in Québec
Without a written contract, the freelancer generally remains the copyright owner of the code under the Canadian Copyright Act, since the work-for-hire rule only covers employees. A formal demand letter from a lawyer, around CAD 500 to 1,500 in Montréal, often secures the code and access. Going forward, the contract with the new vendor must include an assignment of rights to the client, code hosted in a repository owned by the company and technical accounts opened in the company's name, never the developer's. Québec's Law 25 on personal information also makes the company accountable for any customer data left on a server it does not control.
Mini case study
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Marc-André, owner of a 22-employee trading company in Montréal, orders the audit for CAD 9,000. Result: 65% of the Laravel code is reusable, 3 critical flaws are fixable, but the delivery module must be rebuilt. Takeover quote: CAD 33,000 over 7 weeks, then maintenance at CAD 1,500 a month. Total cost for a finished app: CAD 60,000 already paid + 42,000, i.e. CAD 102,000, versus 60,000 + 9,000 + 56,000 for a full rewrite, i.e. CAD 125,000 and 4 more months. The app should save 5 sales reps 2 hours a day, roughly CAD 7,000 of productivity a month: the takeover pays back in a little over 6 months.
FAQ
How much does an audit cost before taking over an app in Montréal?
Between CAD 6,000 and 15,000, access recovery included. Price depends on code size, number of modules and whether there is a mobile app.
Can I recover the code if the freelancer has gone silent?
Often yes, through the host, the domain registrar or a lawyer's demand letter at CAD 500 to 1,500. If accounts are in his name, the process takes 1 to 3 weeks.
When should everything be rewritten?
When less than 40% of the code is reusable or technical debt exceeds 60%. A rewrite then costs 50 to 90% of the original budget but avoids endless fixes.
How long does a full takeover take?
Plan 3 to 10 weeks depending on code condition: 1 to 3 weeks for access and audit, then 4 to 8 weeks of completion.
How do I avoid this happening again?
Require a code repository in the company's name, technical accounts in your name, milestone-based payments and an IP assignment clause. A CAD 750 to 2,600 monthly maintenance contract then ensures continuity.
Let's scope your project. Describe your application, what was paid and which access you hold: we will price the audit, the takeover scenario and the timeline. 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.
