ExpressionEngine & Craft CMS Maintenance & Support

If your ExpressionEngine or Craft CMS website is central to how your business operates, you need more than someone you can call when something breaks. You need a specialist who knows your system, keeps it running reliably, and is there on an ongoing basis without you having to brief a new developer every time something needs doing.

Karl Bowers has been working exclusively with ExpressionEngine and Craft CMS since 2007, supporting business owners across the UK on long-term retainer arrangements. Most clients start with a specific piece of work and move on to an ongoing support contract once Karl has properly learned the codebase.

What this service includes:

• Monthly retainer arrangements tailored to the needs of the site and the business, covering a set number of hours per month.
• Priority response for business-critical issues, so problems are dealt with quickly rather than joining a queue.
• Proactive monitoring of the site for issues, rather than waiting for something to go wrong before acting.
• Regular updates to ExpressionEngine or Craft CMS core and add-ons, keeping the installation secure and up to date.
• Content and functionality changes as the business evolves, without the overhead of briefing a new developer each time.
• A developer who genuinely knows your system, not a support desk staffed by generalists.

Common questions:

How does a retainer arrangement work?

Most retainer clients agree a set number of hours per month at a fixed monthly rate. Unused hours do not roll over, but the arrangement can be adjusted up or down as requirements change. Karl works with a small number of retainer clients at any one time, so availability is limited.

Can you take on maintenance for a site you did not build?

Yes. The majority of Karl's maintenance clients came to him with an existing site built by another developer or agency. Karl takes time to understand the codebase properly before taking on ongoing responsibility for it.

What happens if something urgent comes up?

Retainer clients get priority response for business-critical issues. If something breaks that is affecting the site's ability to function, Karl will deal with it as a matter of urgency rather than scheduling it in with other work.

How much does a retainer cost?

Retainer pricing depends on the number of hours required per month and the nature of the site. Karl will discuss what is appropriate based on your site's requirements and agree a rate before any arrangement begins.

What if I need more hours than my retainer covers one month?

Additional hours above the retainer allowance are billed at an agreed hourly rate. Karl will always flag this before carrying out work that would exceed the monthly allowance, so there are no unexpected invoices.

Do you work with Craft CMS as well as ExpressionEngine?

Yes. Karl supports both ExpressionEngine and Craft CMS on the same basis. Many of his long-term clients run one or the other, and some run both.

Can I start on a retainer and reduce it later if my needs change?

Yes. Retainer arrangements are reviewed regularly and can be scaled back if the site requires less ongoing attention. Karl is happy to be flexible as the requirements of the business change over time.

How do I know the retainer hours are being used productively?

Karl provides a summary of work completed each month, so you always have a clear record of what has been done. If hours are not being used, he will discuss whether the retainer level still makes sense.