The verdict in three sentences
When a vendor disappears mid-project, the worst decision is to rewrite everything by reflex or, conversely, to hand the code to a new developer without a diagnosis. A code audit at EUR 3,000 to 8,000, done in 1 to 2 weeks, lets you price the takeover precisely, which averages 40 to 60% of the original budget. The absolute priority in the first 72 hours is recovering access: Git repository, hosting, domain name, app store accounts and databases.
The first 72 hours: secure what you can
In 2026, a significant share of the disputes we see in Berlin and across Europe stems from insolvency proceedings or an unreachable freelancer. Before any technical discussion, inventory the assets and check who holds them. A domain registered to the agency, an AWS account billed to its card or an Apple Developer account in its name can halt your business overnight.
| Asset to recover | Risk if not recovered | Action | Typical delay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Git repository (GitHub, GitLab) | loss of source code and history | transfer request, otherwise insolvency administrator | 1 to 15 days |
| Hosting (Hetzner, AWS, OVHcloud) | service cut on termination | account transfer or migration | 2 to 10 days |
| Domain name | site unreachable, emails lost | transfer code from registrar | 5 to 8 days |
| Database and backups | loss of customer data, GDPR risk | full encrypted export | 1 to 3 days |
| App Store and Google Play accounts | unable to ship an update | app transfer | 3 to 15 days |
| API keys (Stripe, email, SMS) | payments or notifications blocked | regenerate on your accounts | 1 day |
| Documentation and Figma designs | takeover slowed by 20 to 30% | written request to administrator | variable |
If the vendor is insolvent, contact the insolvency administrator with your contract: paid code generally reverts to you, provided the transfer of rights was agreed in writing.
The code audit: what it must deliver
A serious audit goes beyond a general opinion. It must measure the real state of the application: architecture, quality and test coverage, outdated dependencies and known vulnerabilities, security (authentication, injection, secrets handling), GDPR compliance, the gap between the specification and what was actually delivered, and an estimate of remaining work.
| Audit level | Content | 2026 price (excl. VAT) | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Express diagnosis | code review, installation, functional inventory | EUR 3,000 to 4,000 | 1 week |
| Full audit | + security, dependencies, performance, remaining work estimate | EUR 5,000 to 8,000 | 2 weeks |
| Audit with pentest | + external penetration test | EUR 8,000 to 14,000 | 3 weeks |
| Takeover and completion | fixes, additions, production release | 40 to 60% of original budget | 6 to 16 weeks |
| Partial rewrite | keep database and UI | 60 to 80% of original budget | 10 to 20 weeks |
| Full rewrite | new code, data migration | 90 to 120% of original budget | 12 to 24 weeks |
Take over or rewrite: the decision rule
Take over if the audit shows a sound architecture on a maintained framework (recent Laravel, Symfony, Next.js, Django), at least 50% of features working and fixable vulnerabilities. Rewrite if the code relies on an abandoned version, if the database design blocks any evolution, or if fixing vulnerabilities would cost more than 70% of a new build. Either way, sign the new contract with a reversibility clause: Git repository in your name from day one, hosting accounts in your name, documentation delivered at each milestone, transfer of economic rights with each payment, and 5 to 10 days of handover assistance priced in advance.
Mini case study
Sophie, CEO of a 45-employee home services company, had ordered a scheduling app for EUR 72,000. The vendor went into insolvency after EUR 48,000 was paid and about 60% of scope delivered. The full audit costs EUR 6,500 and finds a sound Laravel architecture but 14 security flaws. The takeover is priced at EUR 34,000, 47% of the original budget, versus EUR 78,000 for a rewrite. Net saving: 78,000 − (34,000 + 6,500) = EUR 37,500, and go-live about 10 weeks sooner.
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
FAQ
Does paid code automatically belong to me?
Not necessarily. In most European jurisdictions, including Germany and France, the transfer of software rights must be agreed in a contract specifying the rights granted. Without such a clause, you must negotiate with the administrator, which can take 2 to 8 weeks.
What if I have no access to the Git repository?
If the app runs in production, the code sits on the server: recover it through the hosting provider. Git history will be lost, but a takeover remains possible, with an audit surcharge of about 10 to 20%.
Can I file a claim if the vendor is bankrupt?
Yes, with the insolvency administrator within the deadline set by the court (often around 2 months). Recovery is usually low, but filing preserves your rights.
How long to get the app working again?
For a takeover, 6 to 16 weeks depending on remaining work. Critical security fixes are generally handled in the first 2 weeks.
Can the new vendor warrant the previous vendor's code?
They warrant what they fix and build, not unaudited existing code. That is why a full audit is essential before signing a fixed-price contract.
Let's scope your project. We audit your abandoned application and price the takeover or rewrite, with an audit at EUR 3,000 to 8,000 delivered in 1 to 2 weeks and a budgeted recovery plan. 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.
