How to Choose a Development Contractor: A 10-Question Checklist
Ten questions worth asking a studio before signing a contract, and the signs that reveal an unreliable contractor.
The main signs of a reliable contractor: they ask questions about your business before naming a price, show working projects, fix the scope of work in the contract, and explain what happens after launch. Below are ten questions worth asking before signing, and the signals that suggest you should look for another contractor.
Ten questions before signing the contract
- 1Show me similar projects. Not a list of logos, but working links you can open and check yourself
- 2Who specifically will work on the project? It happens that an experienced team sells the work and interns do it
- 3What is included in the price and what is paid for separately? The answer should be in writing and detailed
- 4What happens if the timeline slips? The contract should specify the responsibility of both parties
- 5Who owns the code after handover? The right answer is the client, along with all access credentials
- 6What is the warranty and what does it cover? Clarify the difference between fixing bugs and making improvements
- 7How are revisions handled and how many are included in the price?
- 8What happens after launch? Is there support and how much does it cost
- 9How often will you show interim results?
- 10Can I speak with one of your previous clients?
Signs that should raise a red flag
They name a price right away without asking a single question
The cost of development depends on the task. An exact figure named before studying it is either an understated amount that will grow along the way, or a template solution that suits everyone and no one.
They promise timelines many times shorter than the market average
An app in two weeks or an online store in three days means either a template with minimal changes or a two-to-threefold overrun. It is worth understanding both scenarios in advance.
There is no contract, or it is a single page
The contract should fix the scope of work, timelines, cost, acceptance procedure, and the responsibility of the parties. Without this, a dispute will be impossible to resolve.
The portfolio is only pictures
Beautiful images of layouts do not prove that the project was launched. Ask for working links or apps in the stores.
They cannot explain things in plain language
If a question about technology gets you a stream of jargon without any explanation of what it gives your business, communication on the project will be just the same. A good contractor explains complex things in simple terms.
They demand full prepayment
The normal practice is to split payment into stages tied to results. Full prepayment deprives you of leverage if something goes wrong.
What matters more than price
The difference in cost between contractors often turns out to be less significant than the difference in the result. A site for 150 000 ₸ that brings in requests is more valuable than a site for 80 000 ₸ that brings in nothing — the latter is simply money written off.
Judge not the quote but the understanding of the task. A contractor who asks questions on the first call about your business, customers, and current problems is more likely to build what you need than one who immediately discusses the number of pages.
FAQ
How can you tell that a contractor is reliable?
They ask questions about your business before naming a price, show working projects via links, offer a detailed contract that fixes the scope and timelines, and explain what happens after launch.
Should you choose the cheapest contractor?
A low price usually means a template solution, no analytics or SEO groundwork, or no support after handover. The final cost, once rework is factored in, often turns out to be higher.
Who should own the code after development?
The client. Along with the source code, access to all of the project's services is handed over. If the contractor keeps the code, you will not be able to change contractors without rebuilding from scratch.
What prepayment is considered normal?
Payment by stages tied to results. A demand for full prepayment deprives the client of leverage if the work does not go as planned.