Introduction: When Agencies Fail, Clients Pay the Price
For many businesses, a website isn’t optional—it’s the heart of their digital presence. Unfortunately, not all agencies act in the best interest of their clients. This is a client rescue story about how our web design agency London stepped in when Landlord and Tenant Protection found themselves trapped in a nightmare situation.
The Client: Landlord and Tenant Protection
Who They Are
Landlord and Tenant Protection (LTP) provides vital services for landlords and tenants across the UK, ensuring compliance and peace of mind in an increasingly regulated property market.
Why They Needed a Website
Their website wasn’t just an online brochure—it was a platform for credibility, trust, and client communication, especially as they prepared for a major industry event.
The Problem: Trapped by a Bad Agency
Overpriced Web Design Quote (£30k+)
Their former agency quoted an eye-watering £30,000+ for a standard website build—an inflated cost far beyond the industry norm.
£7k a Year Hosting with No Transparency
On top of that, the agency charged £7,000 per year for hosting, without providing any breakdown, server details, or justification.
Locked Out of Their Own Website
Even worse, LTP had no control or access to their own website files. Their agency held all the keys.
Pulled Offline Weeks Before Their Big Event
When LTP challenged the costs, the agency retaliated by taking the site offline—just weeks before a major event.
🚩 Agency Red Flag Analysis
- Unrealistic Pricing: £30k+ for a site that should cost far less.
- No Proof of Hosting Costs: Hosting at £7k/year is indefensible without enterprise-level infrastructure.
- Lack of Control: Clients should always own their domain, hosting, and website files.
These are classic agency red flags that too many businesses ignore—until it’s too late.
Our Intervention: A Rescue Mission
Saving the Design They Loved
LTP actually liked the design of their original website. Instead of starting from scratch, we worked to preserve what worked.
Migration to a New Platform
We rebuilt and migrated the site onto a more reliable, transparent platform—giving LTP full ownership and access.
Slashing Hosting Costs
From £7,000 per year down to £500 per year—a 93% cost reduction with zero compromise on performance.
Beating the Deadline Before Their Event
Despite the chaos, we got the new site live in time for their big event, ensuring their online presence wasn’t disrupted.
✅ The Results: Freedom, Savings, and Peace of Mind
Before vs After: Landlord and Tenant Protection’s Website Rescue
| Category | Before (Old Agency) | After (Our Agency) |
|---|---|---|
| Website Build | Quoted £30,000+ | Completed for £10,000 |
| Hosting Costs | £7,000 per year (no transparency) | £500 per year (fully transparent, secure) |
| Control & Access | Locked out of own website | Full ownership of domain, hosting & content |
| Transparency | No breakdown of fees | Itemized costs and open communication |
| Timing | Website pulled offline weeks before major event | Website migrated and launched on time for event |
| Long-Term Outlook | Dependent on agency, overpriced renewals | Sustainable, scalable, and client-controlled |
- Cost Savings: From an unrealistic £30k+ build to a £10k rescue project.
- Hosting Savings: From £7k/year down to £500/year.
- Event Ready: The site was up and running before the event, avoiding reputational damage.
- Client Control: Full transparency, full ownership, and long-term peace of mind.
What This Story Teaches About Choosing a Web Design Agency London
Why Transparency Matters
A good agency explains costs clearly and gives clients full visibility into where their money goes.
The Importance of Ownership and Access
You should always control your own domain, hosting, and content—not your agency.
Spotting Agency Red Flags Early
Overpricing, lack of access, and hidden costs are warning signs. Trust your instincts and seek a second opinion.
Thinking About Switching Agencies?
How to Avoid the Same Mistakes
- Always ask for itemized pricing.
- Make sure you retain ownership of your website and domain.
- Ask about hosting providers and actual costs.
Why Partnering with Ethical Agencies Matters
An ethical web design agency London focuses on long-term relationships, not quick profits.
Explore More Success Stories: Our Case Studies
We’ve rescued many businesses from bad agencies. See more client wins in our full library of case studies.
FAQs: Client Rescue Stories and Bad Agencies
How common are bad web design agency practices?
Sadly, more common than you think. Many agencies overcharge, restrict access, or lock clients into overpriced hosting.
What should I do if my agency locks me out of my website?
Document everything, request access formally, and seek professional help to migrate your site safely.
Can hosting really cost £7k per year?
Not for standard business sites. Enterprise hosting can be expensive, but most SMEs should pay £200–£800 per year.
What’s the average fair price for a business website?
For most SMEs, a professional website ranges from £5k–£15k, depending on complexity.
How fast can a website rescue project be delivered?
In urgent cases, sites can be migrated or rebuilt in a matter of weeks.
Why is working with a trusted web design agency London so important?
Because your website is your most valuable digital asset. With the wrong agency, you risk losing time, money, and customers.
Conclusion: From Overpriced and Locked Out to Freedom Online
Landlord and Tenant Protection’s story is a warning to all businesses: cheap isn’t always cheap, and expensive isn’t always fair.
By spotting agency red flags early and partnering with a trusted web design agency London, you can avoid the pain of being locked out, overcharged, or left offline at the worst possible moment.
At the end of the day, your website should give you freedom—not frustration. And if you’re stuck in a nightmare agency relationship, know that there’s always a way out.
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