Hosting is phasing out an old PHP version — we update the website without downtime
An email from hosting saying “PHP 7.4 is being discontinued”, deprecated warnings in logs, plugins stopped updating. First we check compatibility on a copy and provide a list of incompatibilities, then we update and switch within an agreed window. Compatibility check €190.
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we migrate to
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on a copy
When to update the version
An update is not a reason to rebuild the site. In most cases, it is a few days of work if started before the hosting disables the old version.
Hosting sent an email
"Your site runs on PHP 7.4, support ends on such-and-such date." After shutdown, the site returns a 500 and does not open at all.
Logs are full of deprecated
The site still works, but every page shows warnings. This is the buffer time that is better spent now.
Plugins are not updating
New versions require a newer PHP or a newer CMS; old ones no longer receive security fixes.
Security requirement
A bank, payment provider, or client requires a supported version. The old one will not pass the check.
Framework is a major version behind
Laravel 8, Symfony 4, Django 2 — updating across one or two versions is harder than regular updates, but still cheaper than a rewrite.
No one to update
The developer is out of reach, but the hosting will not wait. We take over someone else's code and bring it to a working version.
Step-by-step update: first a copy, then the production site
Inventory
We check PHP, CMS, framework versions, the list of plugins and custom modules. We flag what is known to be incompatible and requires replacement.
Copy and test run
We set up a test copy on the target version. We run key scenarios: forms, payment, personal account, exports. We collect a list of errors.
Fixing incompatibilities
We fix our own code and replace abandoned plugins with supported alternatives. Disputed points are agreed upon — sometimes it is cheaper to drop a feature than to keep carrying it.
Switch and monitoring
We switch within an agreed window and keep a rollback ready. For a week we monitor logs and metrics to catch rare scenarios.
How much does a PHP and framework update cost
We quote after a compatibility check — before that an honest figure does not exist; too much depends on plugins and custom code.
We work with WordPress, Bitrix, Laravel, Symfony, Django and custom PHP. If the site runs on code without source files, we will tell you during the audit, before invoicing.
What you get besides the updated website
Compatibility report
A list of what was blocking the update and what was done about it. Useful for the next developer.
Pre-update copy
Files and database as they were before any intervention — keep them, this is your insurance.
Current dependency list
PHP, CMS, plugin and module versions with end-of-support dates — so you can see when the next update is due.
Rollback plan
Step by step instructions on how to return to the previous version if something comes up a month later.
When updating costs more than rebuilding
Updating makes sense as long as the code can be brought into order. We show both estimates before starting work:
- No source code — the site was built long ago, there is no access to the code, only files on the hosting in a closed form. There is nothing to update — it needs to be rebuilt.
- Engine is no longer supported — Drupal 7, old Joomla, custom code on mysql_* and PHP 5. Fixes will become more expensive, and security cannot be covered.
- Features depend on abandoned plugins — if half of the site consists of paid plugins from ten years ago, replacing each one is comparable to reworking a section.
- The site will need to be changed anyway — if the design and structure are outdated and a rework is planned this year, it is more reasonable to build it right away on a current stack.
In such cases we show the update cost and the cost of the new version side by side — the decision remains yours.
Frequent questions about updating PHP and the framework
Will the site go down during the update?
The hosting will disable PHP in a week — will you make it?
Why can't you name the price right away?
Can you update the design at the same time?
What should be done with plugins that are no longer maintained?
What if something breaks a month after the update?
Do you update only PHP, or also the database and the server?
We have Laravel 8 — should we jump straight to 11?
Send the website address — we will check compatibility
We need the website address, the current PHP version (if you know it), and the email from the hosting provider, if any. We reply within 60 minutes during business hours (GMT+3).
Request sent
Thank you! We will contact you within an hour. If the hosting has already disabled the old version, write to Telegram and we will take it urgently.
Updating is cheaper while the site is still running
Send the address — we will come back with a list of incompatibilities, a timeline and a fixed price for the work.