Typical Cost Ranges
The cost to fix a mobile app can vary quite a lot depending on what is wrong and how the app was built. As a rough guide:
- Small fixes or bugs - a few hours to a day
- App crashes or store rejection issues - one to three days
- Updating an old app to meet current requirements - several days to a couple of weeks
- Major issues or partially broken apps - depends on complexity
In many cases, problems that seem serious can be fixed quite quickly once the root cause is identified.
What Affects the Cost
There are a few key factors that determine how much work is involved.
Access to the Code
If you have full access to the source code and the project builds correctly, the work is much faster. If access is missing or incomplete, time is spent recovering or rebuilding parts of the project.
Project Complexity
A simple app with a few screens is very different from a large system with multiple forms, integrations, and backend services. The more moving parts there are, the longer it takes to diagnose issues.
Age of the App
Older apps often use outdated libraries or SDKs. Bringing them up to date can involve more work than just fixing the original issue.
Type of Problem
Some issues are straightforward, such as fixing a crash caused by a null value. Others require deeper investigation, such as intermittent bugs or problems that only occur in production.
Quick Fix vs Full Update
Sometimes the cheapest option is not always the best long term solution.
For example, you might be able to patch a bug quickly, but if the app is using outdated technology, it may fail again or be rejected by the stores.
In those cases, it can be more cost effective to combine the fix with a small update that brings the app in line with current requirements.
How to Get an Accurate Estimate
The fastest way to get a realistic estimate is to provide:
- A description of the problem
- Access to the code if available
- Any error messages or store rejection details
- Information about how urgent the issue is
With that information, it is usually possible to give a clear idea of time and cost very quickly.
Why Fixing an Existing App is Often Faster Than Rebuilding
Many clients assume they need to start again, but in most cases fixing an existing app is significantly faster and more cost effective.
Rebuilding from scratch only makes sense when the app is completely unusable or the codebase cannot be recovered.
Need Help Fixing Your App
If you need help to fix an existing mobile app, update an old mobile app, or arrange ongoing mobile app maintenance, get in touch.
I can take a look at your app and give you a clear idea of what is involved and how long it will take.