We have rescued 15+ projects from bad agencies. These are the warning signs we see every time — and how to fix them.
By David Friedman, Founder of AppBrewers
In 2025 alone, we rescued 15 web app projects from agencies that had gone off the rails. The patterns are always the same. If you see these signs, act fast — every week of delay costs money and momentum.
Sign #1: No Fixed Price
An agency that refuses to give a fixed price is planning to bill by the hour. Hourly billing creates a conflict of interest: the longer the project takes, the more they earn.
Red flag: "We will scope it as we go."
Green flag: "Here is the fixed price for the agreed scope."
Sign #2: They Use WordPress for Everything
WordPress is great for blogs and brochure sites. It is terrible for custom web apps, SaaS platforms, and anything with user accounts or real-time features.
Red flag: They propose WordPress for a SaaS or marketplace.
Green flag: They recommend React, Next.js, or similar modern frameworks.
Sign #3: No Clear Timeline
An agency that cannot tell you when the MVP ships does not know how to plan. Vague timelines mean vague accountability.
Red flag: "It will take a few months."
Green flag: "MVP ships in 4 weeks. Full launch in 8 weeks. Here is the weekly breakdown."
Sign #4: You Cannot See Progress Weekly
If you go 2 weeks without a demo or update, something is wrong. Agile development ships something testable every week.
Red flag: "We are still working on the architecture." (Week 6)
Green flag: A live staging URL with new features every Friday.
Sign #5: They Outsource Without Telling You
Some agencies sell you local expertise and outsource everything to low-cost contractors. The result: miscommunication, delays, and code that needs to be rewritten.
Red flag: The developer on the call changes every week.
Green flag: The same team from kickoff to launch.
Sign #6: No Post-Launch Support
Launch day is day one, not the finish line. Bugs appear. Users break things you did not expect. An agency that disappears after launch leaves you stranded.
Red flag: "We will hand over the code and you are on your own."
Green flag: "60 days of bug fixes and optimization are included."
Sign #7: They Cannot Explain Their Tech Stack
If the project manager cannot explain why they chose React over Vue, or Firebase over AWS, the developers probably cannot either.
Red flag: "The developers chose the stack."
Green flag: A written tech rationale tied to your specific requirements.
What to Do If You See These Signs
| Action | Timeline | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Get a second opinion | 1 day | Free |
| Audit existing code | 2-3 days | 500-1,500 Euro |
| Rescue + rewrite | 2-8 weeks | 3,000-15,000 Euro |
| Start fresh with new agency | 4-12 weeks | Full project cost |
Our rescue service: We audit the existing codebase, tell you what is salvageable, and quote a fixed price to get you to launch.
How to Choose the Right Agency Next Time
- Ask for 3 live projects built in the last 12 months
- Request a fixed-price quote with weekly milestones
- Meet the actual developers, not just the sales team
- Check their GitHub or portfolio for code quality
- Read reviews on Clutch or Google (not just their website)
Need a Rescue?
We have rescued 15+ projects from bad agencies. Fixed pricing. Fast turnaround.
Originally published on the AppBrewers Blog.
Top comments (0)