Hey everyone! I run a small architectural visualization studio in Morocco called Parallax Stud.io, and I'm in a tricky situation. I hired a local developer to build my website and paid the entire amount of 12,500 MAD (around $1,200 USD). However, the website isn't live yet, and the developer has completely stopped responding to me.
Currently, the site is about 50% complete and has a host of bugs, including a broken contact form, missing gallery projects, and more. I'm left without any access to the code or the content he's created. I've documented all of this in a detailed review and even sent him a formal legal notice, but there's been no reply.
This website is critical for my business, as I need it to connect with European architecture firms. I'm at a loss and feel trapped. I'm looking for advice on a few things:
1. Can a new developer work on a custom-coded site if they don't have access to the original codebase?
2. Should I consider rebuilding the site entirely in WordPress, using the staging site as a reference?
3. Has anyone dealt with something similar? What steps did you take, legally or technically, to resolve the issue?
My budget is limited since I've already paid for services that were never delivered. Any genuine advice or assistance would be greatly appreciated!
1 Answer
I’m really sorry you're experiencing this. It sounds so frustrating. Unfortunately, without access to the code, a new developer would likely have to start from scratch. Legal action might be your best bet to push this developer to respond, though it's worth knowing that it might be more effective to chalk this up as a learning experience and begin fresh. If you do consider moving on, make sure to document everything to help prevent this from happening again.
That makes sense. Hope you can get your money back or at least a resolution soon. It's a tough spot to be in.