Why a Code Audit Should Come Before Any Work on Inherited Software

Taking over software built by someone else — whether a departed developer, a vanished agency, or an acquired company — leaves new owners unable to answer basic questions about cost, stability, or security. A code audit addresses this by having an expert read the existing codebase and deliver a written assessment of what to keep, fix, or rewrite before any money is spent on changes. The review goes beyond code quality, examining account ownership, infrastructure costs, and active security risks that rarely appear on anyone's to-do list. Skipping the audit and immediately building new features is a common mistake, since unknown codebases make accurate estimates nearly impossible and hidden vulnerabilities can threaten the entire product. The author argues that a full rewrite is rarely the right answer — most inherited products have a salvageable core that needs only targeted repairs.