Legacy code refactoring

Legacy code refactoring is putting old, overgrown code in order (“legacy” is inherited code that was written and patched over a long time). The site’s behavior stays the same on the outside, but inside the code becomes clear, structured and maintainable: we remove duplication and workarounds, break up long pieces, and update outdated parts. Unlike a bug fix (see the “Single bug fix” service), which repairs one specific breakage, refactoring is needed when the structure of the code itself gets in the way — even if there are no obvious bugs: every change is hard and risky. It is not a redesign and not new features: the site looks the same on the outside, what changes is the quality of the code under the hood. For you as the owner, this means fewer unplanned support costs and the ability to make changes cheaper and faster — even if the site does not change visually. Picture a site where every small change breaks something else, and a new developer is afraid to touch the code — after refactoring, developing it becomes fast and without fear. The base price starts from 50,000 ₽ for refactoring a small module; the exact price and timing are set after an express audit of the code, and for large systems individually.

• Every change breaks something else — development is slow and full of fear.
• The code is tangled and undocumented — a new developer takes a long time to get into it or refuses to take it on.
• Old technologies and workarounds — it is hard to add anything new, everything holds together “on a wing and a prayer”.
• Support gets more expensive: simple tasks take disproportionately much time and money.

• A code audit: where the tech debt, duplication, workarounds and bottlenecks are
• Refactoring that preserves behavior — we aim for the site to work the same on the outside
• Tests on key places — protection against regressions during changes
• A clear structure and readable code — easy for new developers to get in
• Documentation and comments for important parts of the code
• Updating outdated parts and dependencies where it is safe
• Step by step, with backups and the ability to roll back at each step
• A before/after check: we verify the behavior has not changed; rare quirks of fragile legacy are discussed upfront

• Future changes go faster and do not break neighboring things — development stops being a lottery
• A new developer gets into the project quickly — the code is clear and documented
• Support gets cheaper — simple tasks stop “drowning” in tangled code
• The site is ready to grow: adding features is simpler, safer and cheaper

• You leave a request and give access to the code
• We run an express audit, talk through the risks, and agree on the scope, price and order of refactoring
• We refactor in parts with tests and verify that the behavior has not changed

• How is refactoring different from a bug fix?

  A bug fix (see the “Single bug fix” service) is repairing one specific breakage. Refactoring is needed when there may be no bugs as such, but the structure of the code itself gets in the way: any change is hard and risky. One broken thing — a bug fix; “the code as a whole is heavy, scary to touch, development is stalling” — refactoring.

• Will the site look different after refactoring? What am I paying for?

  On the outside, no — the site works as before. You are paying for what is under the hood: after refactoring, support gets cheaper, and new features and changes are made faster and without constant breakages. It is an investment in the speed and cost of future development, not in a visible redesign (that is a separate service).

• Will something break when refactoring old code?

  There is always a risk, so we work safely: we cover key places with tests, refactor in parts, make backups and check behavior before/after. On very fragile legacy there may be rare quirks — we talk through all the risks at the start and do not act blindly.