Benefits of a Laravel Upgrade
The code, dependencies and day-to-day workflows to check when you move an existing application forward.
Like all software and frameworks, Laravel upgrades need to happen. there are different types. we have small patches that can be applied monthly or quarterly. [we-need-a-page-for-maintinence-plans] But Laravel release a new full version annually around February. And these upgrades are generally smoth but they can often touch all parts of the sytstem.
We generally like to give it at least a month before we start rolling out upgrades to make sure all packages that we might use for Applications are rolled across and all of their bugs are ironed out. Then we begin.
Often, when scoping out projects we keep this in mind and include it while we are already working in the application. if the Project is sitting stable, we'll flick off an email to suggest upgrade time. We leave this decision to the client, providing guidance and support as needed.
Timing and planning
The timing is up to you the client, whether you want to upgrade immediately after a new release or wait for a more convenient window for operations or just waiting until the cashflow allows.
We do recommend that we do the upgrades during a quiet period for the application. Downtime is minimal but with any changes to a live system, there is always a small risk of temporary disruption.
Core reason for upgrades
Software is not and never will be 100% stable, updates need to be applied and, as we saw or on the 21st of this October 2026, they sometimes need to be applied quickly. When everything is already up to date this just rolls out seamlessly, but when you start to fall behind, then things get tricky.
The Real Benefit
Similar to how you ask a panel beater to fix a scratch when the insurance company is covering the cost, we can take care of the small things that may bug you, but don;t deserve a full project or scope on their own.
Upgrades provide the perfect opportunity to address these minor issues efficiently, as we are already working within the codebase and have the context needed to implement changes quickly.
Any Downsides
Upgrades can sometimes introduce unexpected issues, even with careful planning and testing. There may be temporary disruptions, compatibility problems with third-party packages, orbugs that only appear under specific conditions.
But they are generally easy to find and fix and are covered by the cost of the upgrade itself.
Tell us about the project or decision you have in mind.