The problem. Sites arrive carrying years of accumulated decisions: a heavy theme, overlapping plugins, custom code living in functions.php. Nobody knows what is load-bearing.
The approach. The rebuild pattern starts with a written inventory — what exists, what it does, what can go. The new build uses the Underscores starter with a custom theme, and every piece of business functionality moves into a site-specific plugin. Content migrates through a mapping document, URLs keep their equity through a redirect map, and launch happens from staging with a rehearsed rollback.
Status. This is the reference pattern for client rebuild engagements; individual client builds are documented privately in the client portal, not published as marketing material.