How Much Does a PHP Upgrade Cost?

How much does a PHP upgrade cost for a WordPress site?

At Cuanto Labs, a standard WordPress site with up to 20 plugins is a fixed $3,500, covering a staging copy, plugin fixes or replacements, the switch, and a rollback plan. A store or custom theme is $4,500. Prices elsewhere vary widely, so compare what each quote includes.

What does a PHP upgrade usually include?

A proper upgrade is mostly testing, not typing. Changing the version number takes a minute. The cost is in finding what breaks and fixing it before your visitors do. Ask any quote to name each of the pieces below, because a cheap quote that skips them often costs more later.

• • A backup you can restore, tested.
• • A staging copy running the new PHP.
• • Plugin and theme checks, with fixes or replacements.
• • Checkout, form and login testing, not just the home page.
• • A rollback plan and a written confirmation afterward.

If a quote is only "we will change the version," you are buying the risky part and skipping the safe part.

What are our fixed prices for each type of site?

These are our package prices, all one-time, from the lowest to the highest scope. Each upgrade package carries a 30-day fix of regressions, meaning we repair anything the upgrade broke. The right row depends on your site type, your plugin count and how much custom code you have, so use the table as a guide.

The Health Check is credited toward any upgrade booked within 30 days. The $950 audit for legacy apps is credited too.

Why do some PHP upgrades cost much more than others?

Three things move the price: how old the code is, how much of it is custom, and how many pieces depend on it. A site on PHP 8.2 moving to 8.4 is a small hop. A site on PHP 5 or 7 with custom code is a long one, because many behaviors were removed over those years.

• • Distance between versions. More versions skipped means more fixes.
• • Abandoned plugins. Each one needs replacing or patching.
• • Custom code. No one else has tested it, so we must.
• • Money flows. Stores and booking tools need deeper testing.

How long does a PHP upgrade take?

For most WordPress sites, between one and five business days of work, and one to two weeks for stores. Custom apps run three to four weeks, and old legacy apps six to eight, based on our package timelines above. The calendar time also depends on how fast your host and plugin vendors respond.

Do not leave it to the last week of December if you are on PHP 8.2. It loses security fixes on December 31, 2026, per the PHP supported versions page. We cover the deadline in PHP 8.2 Ends December 31.

What is the cheapest safe way to move off PHP 7.4?

Start with a check, then fix only what fails. Run our free PHP version checker, ask your host whether it offers a staging copy, and replace any plugin that has not been updated in years. The $295 PHP Health Check gives you a written list of what to fix, so you pay only for needed work.

Skipping testing is not cheap. A broken checkout costs more than any upgrade. For the 7.4 specifics, see Still on PHP 7.4?.

Should I upgrade or rebuild my old PHP app?

Upgrade when the code is mostly sound and the business logic is worth keeping. Rebuild when the app is held together by workarounds or nobody understands it. We usually start with a short audit, so the answer rests on the code, not a guess. That audit is the $950 first step for legacy work.

A rebuild costs far more than an upgrade, so it should be a decision based on evidence.

What does it cost to ignore the upgrade instead?

The cost is risk, and it is rising. The PHP team says PHP 8.1 and older no longer receive updates, per its 2026 news page. After php2shell, CISA advised that organizations still using PHP 8.1 or earlier should take PHP-based systems offline until patched, per its alert.

Extended support from a host can bridge the gap, but it is a recurring fee that does not make your code compatible. Our php2shell explainer covers why this flaw matters.

Can I get a firm quote for my site?

Yes. Our PHP upgrade service page lists the packages, and the Health Check turns an unknown site into a fixed scope. We cannot promise a price for a site we have not looked at, but we will name the package before work begins. Sites on a website care plan have routine PHP updates handled as part of the plan.

What is the next step?

Check your PHP version, then book a call with your host name and plugin count. We will tell you which package fits and what, if anything, could push the price up. If you are unsure where to start, our free checker takes a minute and needs no signup or password.

This article is general information, not legal or compliance advice. Written by Eliran Yihye, founder of Cuanto Labs, on October 27, 2026.