Senior PHP experience
Founder Julian Gardner has 25+ years of software and PHP experience, including platforms ranging from custom legacy systems to framework-based applications.
25+ yrsPHP development for Dutch companies
Senior PHP development, without agency theatre.
We build, modernize and maintain PHP applications for Dutch companies. Laravel, Symfony, legacy PHP, MySQL, Redis and the operational work around them — with direct Dutch guidance and senior engineers involved.
25+ yrs web development experiencePHP Laravel, Symfony and legacy systemsSupport maintenance availableDirect communication with the people doing the work
Why Fuse Web
PHP work tied to business value.
We do not sell a generic offshore team. We help Dutch companies get senior PHP work done with direct communication and practical technical choices.
Bottom line: Laravel, Symfony, legacy modernization, maintenance and clear Dutch guidance.
Modernize without drama
We assess the existing codebase first, then improve it step by step. That is safer than promising a rewrite before understanding the system.
step by stepSupport after release
We can stay involved for maintenance, updates, performance work and support for critical applications.
ongoing careWhat we deliver
Three PHP jobs we know well.
Most PHP work we take on falls into build, modernize or maintain.
Bottom line: custom applications, legacy PHP modernization and ongoing maintenance.
Custom Laravel and Symfony applications
New features, portals, APIs and business applications built around the way your company actually works.
- Laravel and Symfony development
- API and backend implementation
- MySQL and Redis work
- Code review and automated checks where useful
Legacy PHP modernization
Careful upgrades and refactors for PHP systems that still run the business.
- Existing codebase assessment
- PHP version and framework upgrades
- Database and performance improvements
- Step-by-step changes instead of risky rewrites
Maintenance and support
Ongoing technical care for PHP applications that need to stay secure, stable and useful.
- Security and dependency updates
- Bug fixes and performance tuning
- Deployment and monitoring support
- Critical-application support when agreed
Tech stack
Tools we actually use.
The exact stack follows the codebase, but these are the technologies already present in our service and case-study material.
PHPModern and legacy PHP systems
LaravelCustom application development
SymfonyFramework-based platforms
MySQL / MariaDBRelational database work
RedisCaching and high-traffic support
DockerDevelopment and deployment consistency
PHPUnit / PestAutomated testing where it fits
GitHub Actions / JenkinsCI/CD in existing workflows
How we work
A small senior team, clear steps.
We start by understanding the business problem and the existing code or infrastructure before we suggest a solution.
Bottom line: discovery, written plan, senior implementation, clean handover or ongoing care.
01
Understand the problem
We review the goal, the current setup, and the business constraint. If the existing codebase is part of the work, we inspect it before promising a route.
Output: shared understanding
02
Write the plan
You get a practical plan: what we will change, what we will leave alone, where the risks are, and what the first useful milestone looks like.
Format: written plan
03
Build with senior review
Implementation happens in pull requests, with code review and automated checks where the project supports them. We keep the work visible instead of disappearing into a black box.
Cadence: regular demos
04
Operate or hand over
After release, we either continue with maintenance and support, or hand over the code, deployment notes, and the decisions behind the implementation.
Options: support or handover
Proof
Auction platform rebuild in PHP.
Architecture, database scaling and a careful move to a maintainable framework.
From custom PHP to a more stable framework-based platform.
Problem
The client ran a custom-built PHP auction platform that struggled as traffic grew. Stability and maintainability became a risk.
Solution
The platform was rebuilt under senior architectural guidance using Zend Framework, MariaDB, Redis, Apache and HAProxy. The frontend moved behind an internal API and Redis reduced database load.
Outcome
The new platform handled heavy traffic more reliably and gave the client a stronger base for future development.
StackPHP · Zend/Laminas · MariaDB · Redis · Apache · HAProxy
Workrebuild, API separation, database scaling
Patternmaintain stability while rebuilding
More relevant proof
Consolidating five repositories without stopping operations
A PHP/Yii2 platform was consolidated step by step from five repositories and several admin panels into one maintainable system.
Read the repository consolidation caseTurning advertising data into a working PHP system
A PHP/Yii2 data system connected the customer journey to advertising spend and automated budget decisions.
Read the advertising system casePricing
Transparent pricing, scoped to the work.
We work with transparent hourly or project-based pricing, depending on the engagement. The exact setup depends on the scope, risk, and whether you need a project, team augmentation, or ongoing maintenance.
Before development starts, we agree the first milestone and the expected effort. No agency theatre, no vague “we’ll see later” scope.
For larger or unclear work, we start with a discovery or audit so the estimate is based on your actual codebase and constraints.
Relevant expertise
Senior PHP judgment, directly involved.
Julian Gardner
Founder · Lead Developer
“In the end, no client ever celebrated the framework we used - they celebrated the problems we solved and the growth we enabled.”
25+ yrs software and PHPPHP Laravel, Symfony and legacy systemsBackend APIs, MySQL and RedisDelivery technical leadership and review
Meet Julian and the PHP teamFrequently asked
Questions about PHP work.
If your situation is different, ask. We would rather say “not us” than oversell it.
What PHP frameworks do you work with?
Laravel and Symfony are the main frameworks we highlight. We also have case-study experience with Zend Framework and legacy PHP systems.
Can you work with our existing PHP codebase?
Yes. Existing codebases are a normal part of our work. We start by assessing the code, the database, deployment and business constraints before proposing changes.
Do you offer ongoing maintenance?
Yes. We offer maintenance and support for PHP applications, including updates, bug fixes, performance work and deployment support.
Do you rebuild everything from scratch?
No. We prefer careful modernization. Sometimes a rebuild is right, but we decide that after looking at the system, not before.
Do you only do PHP?
No. PHP is core, but we also work with React/Next.js frontends and Docker/AWS platform work around those applications.
Tell us what you're trying to fix or build.
A short call with the founder. No sales deck — just a senior engineer's first take on the problem.