Your developer left mid-project. Now what?
You're not alone. This happens to founders every single week. Developer disappears, delivered buggy code, missed deadlines, or simply stopped communicating.
I specialize in rescuing stalled projects. In 48 hours, I'll assess your code, tell you what can be saved, and give you a clear recovery plan with exact costs and timeline.
What you get in 48 hours
- →Code Quality Assessment: Is it salvageable or broken beyond repair?
- →Security Audit: Critical vulnerabilities that need immediate attention
- →Completion Analysis: What's actually done vs. what's missing
- →Two Recovery Plans: Fix vs. rebuild—with costs and timelines for both
- →Honest Recommendation: What I'd do if it were my project
Next-day start available. If you're in crisis mode, I'll prioritize your audit and get you answers ASAP.
Signs you need project rescue
- !Developer stopped responding to messages or disappeared completely
- !Code was delivered but doesn't work or is full of bugs
- !Project is "90% done" for months but never launches
- !You paid for features that weren't actually built
- !Can't find anyone willing to work with the existing codebase
- !The app breaks constantly or crashes under load
What founders tell me
"I paid $25K to an agency and got a half-finished app that doesn't even load. Matthew assessed it in 2 days and told me exactly what it would take to fix. Painful truth, but I needed to hear it."
"My freelancer disappeared with access to everything. Matthew helped me recover the code and finish the project. Launched 6 weeks later."
"I thought I'd have to start over from scratch. The audit showed me we could salvage 60% of the work. Saved months and thousands of dollars."
Three paths forward
Every situation is different. The 48-Hour Emergency Audit tells you which option makes sense for your project, budget, and timeline.
For founders who need immediate assessment and recovery plan.
- • 48-hour turnaround: Complete codebase analysis
- • What can be salvaged vs. what needs rebuilding
- • Detailed recovery plan with timeline and cost estimates
- • Risk assessment and recommended next steps
For founders ready to fix and complete their stalled project.
- • Fix critical bugs and security issues
- • Refactor poorly written code
- • Complete missing features and functionality
- • 4-8 weeks depending on project state
When the codebase is too broken to salvage—start fresh with lessons learned.
- • Rebuild from scratch using modern, maintainable code
- • Keep the good ideas, fix the technical problems
- • Faster than you think (6-10 weeks typical)
- • You own all code and can scale confidently
How the Emergency Audit works
- Hour 0: You book the audit and send me access to the code repository
- Hours 1-24: I review every file, test functionality, check security, assess completeness
- Hours 24-36: I create two detailed recovery plans (fix vs. rebuild) with costs and timelines
- Hour 48: We meet to review findings and discuss your options
You get a written report, screen recordings showing issues, and honest recommendations. Then you decide if you want to move forward with recovery.
Common recovery scenarios
Scenario 1: "The code works but it's incomplete"
Recovery time: 4-6 weeks | Cost: $8K-$15K
This is the best-case scenario. The foundation is solid, but features are missing. I complete what was started, fix bugs, and get you launched. Often faster than starting over.
Scenario 2: "The code is messy but salvageable"
Recovery time: 6-10 weeks | Cost: $15K-$25K
The code works somewhat, but it's poorly written with security issues and technical debt. I refactor critical sections, add missing features, and stabilize it for launch. Takes longer but saves what you already paid for.
Scenario 3: "The code is broken beyond repair"
Recovery time: 8-12 weeks | Cost: $20K-$40K
Sometimes it's cheaper and faster to rebuild from scratch using modern best practices. You keep the good ideas and user feedback, but start with clean code that can actually scale. Painful decision but often the right one.
Recovery success stories
I've rescued dozens of projects over 20 years. Here are two examples where founders were stuck and got back on track.
Project Rescue FAQ
My developer left in the middle of the project. What do I do first?
Take a breath. This happens more often than you think. First, secure access to all code repositories, hosting accounts, and documentation. Then book the 48-Hour Emergency Audit so we can assess what you have and create a recovery plan within 2 days.
How do I know if my code can be salvaged or needs a rebuild?
The Emergency Audit answers exactly that. I'll review the codebase for security issues, technical debt, code quality, and completeness. You'll get a clear recommendation: fix what you have, or start fresh with a faster, cleaner rebuild.
I paid a developer but the code doesn't work. Can you fix it?
Probably. I've rescued dozens of projects from buggy code, missing features, and poor architecture. The audit will tell us exactly what's broken and what it takes to fix. Sometimes fixing costs more than rebuilding—I'll be honest about both options.
How long does project recovery take?
Depends on the damage. Simple fixes: 2-4 weeks. Moderate recovery: 4-8 weeks. Complete rebuild: 6-10 weeks. The Emergency Audit gives you exact timelines based on your specific situation.
What if the previous developer won't hand over the code?
This is tricky but solvable. If you paid for the work, you likely own it legally. I can help you understand your options and, if needed, rebuild from screenshots and documentation. Let's discuss your specific situation on a call.
Will I have to start completely over?
Not always. Many projects are salvageable with focused fixes. But sometimes a clean rebuild is actually faster and cheaper than trying to fix deeply broken code. I'll give you honest advice about which path makes sense financially and technically.
How much will this cost?
The $1,500 Emergency Audit includes exact cost estimates for both repair and rebuild options. You'll know upfront what each path costs before committing to anything beyond the audit.
Can you guarantee the project will be successful?
I can guarantee quality code, transparent communication, and honest timelines. Project success depends on many factors including market fit and execution. What I can promise: you'll own clean, maintainable code and understand exactly what you're getting.
Get answers in 48 hours
Stop wondering if your project can be saved. The $1,500 Emergency Audit gives you a complete assessment and clear recovery plan by end of week.
Book Emergency Audit NowMost audits lead to successful recovery. But if I can't help, I'll tell you honestly and refer you to someone who can.