The verdict in three sentences
A technical audit of an existing web app in Dublin costs 3 500 to 10 000 EUR in 2026 depending on codebase size and depth. It delivers a risk score, a technical-debt map and a costed remediation roadmap, within 2 to 3 weeks. For an acquirer, this audit surfaces hidden costs (rebuild, security, infra) that can justify a 10 to 30 % discount on the asset price: the best return on a 5 000 EUR investment made before signing.
What the audit covers and its price
A serious technical audit is not just "checking whether the code is clean". It evaluates five axes that drive future cost of ownership.
| Axis audited | What is checked | Risk weight |
|---|---|---|
| Code quality | Readability, tests, standards | High |
| Security | OWASP flaws, dependencies, secrets | Critical |
| Technical debt | Obsolete frameworks, patches | High |
| Scalability | Architecture, database | Medium |
| Infra costs | Hosting, licenses, cloud | Medium |
Price depends on code volume and scope. Here are the 2026 tiers.
| Audit tier | Scope | Timeline | 2026 price (EUR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash audit | 1 app, high-level review | 3 - 5 days | 3 500 - 5 000 |
| Standard audit | Code + security + infra | 1 - 2 weeks | 5 000 - 7 500 |
| Due-diligence audit | Full + light pen test | 2 - 3 weeks | 7 500 - 10 000 |
For an acquisition, the due-diligence audit is recommended: it includes a light pen test and a remediation estimate you can hold the seller to.
Impact on the asset's valuation
An audit turns a hunch into a costed negotiation lever. Each major risk identified becomes a future cost, hence a price lever.
| Common finding | Estimated remediation cost | Effect on negotiation |
|---|---|---|
| End-of-life framework | 8 500 - 27 000 EUR | Discount or upgrade clause |
| No automated tests | 5 000 - 16 000 EUR | Post-deal provision |
| Critical security flaws | 4 000 - 22 000 EUR | Condition precedent |
| Oversized infrastructure | 500 - 3 000 EUR/month | Cloud contract renegotiation |
| Single-developer dependency | Not quantifiable | Handover clause |
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On a 120 000 EUR app acquisition, an audit revealing 35 000 EUR of remediation justifies a ~25 % discount or an equivalent provision. The 7 500 EUR audit pays for itself several times over.
Mini case study
Julien, an acquirer of a SaaS SMB in Dublin, is about to buy a booking app valued at 150 000 EUR. He orders a due-diligence audit at 8 500 EUR delivered in 3 weeks. The audit reveals an end-of-life framework (estimated 22 000 EUR remediation), no tests (12 000 EUR) and two critical flaws. Armed with the report, Julien negotiates a 28 000 EUR discount and a condition precedent on fixing the flaws. Bottom line: an 8 500 EUR audit saves him 28 000 EUR and de-risks the purchase. Without it, he would have paid full price for invisible debt.
FAQ
How much is a technical audit in 2026? Between 3 500 and 10 000 EUR depending on code volume and depth. A full due-diligence audit with a light pen test lands around 7 500-10 000 EUR.
What is the timeline? 2 to 3 weeks for a due-diligence audit, 3 to 5 days for a high-level flash audit. The schedule depends on access to the code and infrastructure.
What is in the deliverable? A risk score per axis, the list of vulnerabilities and debt, and a remediation roadmap costed in EUR. It is a document you can put in front of the seller during negotiation.
Can the audit lower the purchase price? Yes. By costing remediation (often 20 000-40 000 EUR on a mature app), it justifies a 10 to 30 % discount or conditions precedent. The return on the audit regularly exceeds 3x.
Do I need a full pen test? Not always. A light pen test (included in the due-diligence audit) is enough before buying; a full pen test at 4 000-12 000 EUR is justified afterwards if the app handles sensitive data.
Let's scope your project. Share code access and the acquisition context, and we will scope the audit and deliver a defensible report within 2 to 3 weeks. 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.
