Legacy System Modernisation
Your website runs on outdated technology that soon won't be hostable anywhere. Let us migrate it before it's too late.
Situations this service is designed for...
-
A website running on borrowed time,
with core software that's years out of date and no longer receiving security updates. -
A system that still works today,
but only because nothing has changed yet. -
A hosting provider that will eventually force the issue,
with an email that says “Your version of PHP / CMS is no longer supported.” -
An upgrade that's been discussed before,
but abandoned because the risks were unclear or because it turned out not to be an upgrade at all. -
A system that's business-critical
where downtime means lost enquiries, lost revenue, or disrupted operations. -
Custom code that nobody really owns anymore,
with little documentation and a developer who moved on years ago.
You know there's a problem — just not the safest way to deal with it. That's exactly what this service is for.
Typical warning signs
End-of-life software (any stack)
It doesn’t matter whether it’s Drupal, WordPress, Craft, Laravel, Symfony, or something custom. If core software is end-of-life or stuck several major versions behind, you are exposed.
Custom code nobody understands
A custom system built 10+ years ago, with little or no documentation. The original developer is long gone, and even small changes feel risky because nobody fully understands how it works anymore.
Hosting problems
You struggle to find hosting that will run your old PHP or server setup. Providers are dropping support, security updates stopped years ago, and staying online increasingly means special exceptions or fragile workarounds.
If even one of these applies, you need to act now
The longer you wait, the more expensive and risky it becomes. Under deadline pressure, you have fewer options, no negotiating power, and far less control over the outcome.
What happens if you wait
Hosting catastrophe
Your provider upgrades servers. Your system doesn't work on modern versions. The site goes offline with no quick fix and no safe rollback.
Security breach
Old systems have known security holes. Hackers automatically scan for Drupal 7, old WordPress. Your site gets compromised. Customer data leaks. Google blacklists you.
Functionality dies quietly
An integration stops working. A payment gateway updates. A critical plugin isn't compatible. You can't fix it because the whole system is too old.
Nobody will touch it
You need changes made. No developer will work with the system because it's too old and risky. You're locked in.
Our migration process
Initial assessment (1-2 meetings)
We need to understand what the system does, how critical it is, the timeline, and what access and documentation exists.
Technical audit (1 week)
We dive into the system, review the codebase, map all features and integrations, identify data that needs migrating, spot custom logic that needs rebuilding, and assess risks.
Migration strategy (1 week)
We present the plan: recommended new technology, what migrates directly, what gets rebuilt, the data migration strategy, timeline and phases, and a fixed price
Migration work (typically 8-20 weeks)
We build a modern version of the system, run it in parallel with the old one, migrate data safely, test all functionality, and train your team.
Launch & transition + Handover
Coordinated cutover (minimal downtime), data sync from old to new system, monitoring after launch, quick-response support. Then full documentation, completed training, and a 3-month support period.
What does it cost?
Honest answer: it depends on complexity, data volume, and how risky the existing system is.
That's why — just like our SEO, Performance & UX Audits — legacy modernisation always starts with a paid technical audit.
Audit (required first step)
This is a deep, hands-on technical audit — not a surface-level review.
What's included:
- Review of the codebase and system architecture
- Mapping of features, integrations, and dependencies
- Data structure and migration risk assessment
- Identification of custom logic that needs rebuilding
- Hosting, security, and operational risk analysis
What you get:
- A clear migration strategy
- Defined scope and phases
- Realistic timeline
- A fixed-price proposal for the migration
There is no obligation to proceed beyond the audit.
€ 3,000 - 5,000
Typical migration projects
A full legacy system migration based on the audit, covering custom business logic, integrations, and business-critical functionality.
Typical duration: 3–4 months
Typically € 40,000 - 60,000
Complex or high-risk systems
For legacy systems with significant uncertainty or risk, such as large or sensitive datasets, security or uptime constraints, or no safe upgrade path.
Typical duration: 4–6 months
Scoped and priced after the audit
Fixed price after audit
We do not guess. Once the audit is complete, the migration is delivered at a fixed price.
No hourly drift. No “it became more complicated” surprises halfway through.
Urgent deadlines
If you have a hosting, security, or business deadline, we can move faster — through prioritisation, parallel workstreams, and senior-only allocation.
We've delivered 90-day rescue projects before.
Urgency increases cost — planning early keeps it under control.
Frequently asked questions
Can't we just upgrade the existing system?
Sometimes — if there's a realistic upgrade path. In many cases, there isn't. For example, moving from Drupal 7 to Drupal 10 is effectively a rebuild, and older custom code often has no direct upgrade route at all. The audit tells us whether an upgrade makes sense or whether a rebuild is the safer option.
What if we lose functionality?
We map all existing features before any work starts. Everything is either rebuilt or replaced, and critical functionality is never dropped. In some cases, we'll suggest better or simpler ways of achieving the same outcome — but nothing essential is lost.
Can we use the system while you migrate?
Yes. We build the new system in parallel while the old one continues to run. The existing system stays live until cutover, with minimal downtime — typically a few hours.
What if the old system dies mid-project?
That's why the first step is a full backup and data export. Even if the old system becomes unusable during the project, we already have everything needed to complete the migration.
Can you guarantee no data loss?
We take data integrity extremely seriously. We run multiple backups, test migration scripts in advance, and verify data after migration. While no responsible provider promises zero risk, we've never lost data on a migration project.
You should act now if...
If your hosting provider has sent a deadline, security updates stopped years ago, or the system is becoming harder to host or maintain, it's time to act. The same applies if critical functionality is starting to fail or no developer is willing to work with the code. Book a no-obligation call and we'll assess how critical the situation is and tell you honestly whether migration makes sense now or if you still have time.
Book a call