It's not a problem that they start as CRUD apps. That's exactly the place where ORMs or query generators should be used: CRUD code is always the same and as suc

It's not a problem that they start as CRUD apps. That's exactly the place where ORMs or query generators should be used: CRUD code is always the same and as such should be 100% automated. So then when something different than CRUD happens? You use the ORM, a query generator, or completely custom SQL, depending on which is the most appropriate to the situation. Performance doesn't need to be an issue if the query is extremely rare; if it's core to your app, by all means, write completely optimized SQL. But if it's an extremely rare query or only shows up for your admin page? ORM code should be fine. That's the point of the parent comment: When you get good enough you learn where to use each.