I have been developing websites in an n-tier structure and so far my requirements are fulfilled. But as powerful frameworks like Zend Framework, Symfony are getting popular, I wonder how to know if it is time to shift to a framework?
Am I in a kind of dilemma? What is the right option?
If you satisfied with your own way – never.
Frameworks being written not by gods but by people. Some of them may know less than you. Or have different point of view.
Also, it is more a paradigm dictated to you, than toolbox. A religion.
If you have your own way and it suits you, better develop your own framework. Not as universal as famous ones, but not as fat and sluggish as them too.