[pjmlp]

Someone has to put the money on the table for those upgrades.

This is the great thing about consulting instead of product development, developers are made constantly aware of their hourly rates.

No budget for spending time on upgrades, no upgrades.

[cess11]

Don't work for people that disallow upgrades and maintenance. Don't make deals with people who don't understand that software is finished when it's dismantled and the code deleted.

[pjmlp]

Easier said than done, I have seen a lot since 1980's.

[cess11]

Do what you have to survive, then bail when you can.