Inheriting a broken MVP without documentation is like walking into a construction site with no blueprints. You know there’s a building in progress—but is it safe to move in, or do you need to tear it down?

When Salvaging Makes Sense

Salvaging can work if:

• The core architecture is solid and scalable.

• Bugs are limited to specific features or modules.

• A developer can piece together functionality without full documentation.

Salvaging may also make sense when speed matters—patching existing work can sometimes get you to market faster than starting from scratch.

When Rebuilding Is Smarter

Rebuilding is often the better path if:

• The codebase is riddled with fundamental flaws.

• There’s zero documentation and no tests.

• Every developer you consult says, “It’s easier to start fresh.”

• Technical debt will slow every future release.

Cost vs. Opportunity

Many founders worry that rebuilding is wasted time. In reality, rebuilding can save money if salvaging would mean years of bug fixing and frustration. Think of it as removing a faulty foundation before adding floors to your building.

How to Decide with Confidence

Don’t guess—get a technical audit. A third-party assessment will help you see the true state of the code and provide a roadmap for either salvage or rebuild.

Takeaway: Salvage if you can, rebuild if you must. The right choice depends on your long-term goals and the current state of your codebase.