Before starting any project I ask the same questions, and they are not about selling more: they are about knowing whether the project will go well. If you are about to hire a development, ask them of any provider you are considering. The answers will tell you more than any portfolio.
1. What specific problem do you want to solve?
It sounds obvious, but most projects start by describing a solution ("I want an app", "I want AI") instead of a problem. A good provider will make you pin down the problem before talking technology, because the right solution depends on it. If someone quotes you an app without first understanding which process is costing you money, they are selling, not solving.
2. Is the price fixed before starting?
Ask whether the budget is fixed or by the hour, and who bears the risk if the estimate falls short. A fixed price agreed before starting shifts the estimation risk to the provider, who has the knowledge to estimate. By the hour, you bear the risk: every surprise comes out of your pocket. Neither is universally best, but you should know which one you are being offered and why.
3. Who owns the code and the documentation?
The code you pay for should be yours, with its documentation and a clean handover if you ever change provider. If the answer is ambiguous, or if the system lives on a proprietary platform you cannot extract your data from, you are signing a vendor lock-in that will cost you dearly the day you want to move. Demand code ownership and the ability to export your data from day one.
4. Who builds and who maintains?
Ask who will write your code: the in-house team, a freelancer, or a subcontracted agency in another country. Talking to whoever builds is not the same as talking to a middleman who forwards your messages. And ask what happens after delivery: who maintains it, with what response times and at what cost. Poorly defined maintenance is where most relationships break. If you want to go deeper, we have a full guide on how to choose a software development company in Spain.
And one more: what if I am unsure?
If you already have software and cannot answer these questions about your current system, the cheap first step is a 190 € technical audit: it gives you an objective picture of where you stand before committing a large project with anyone.
Frequently asked questions
Fixed price or by the hour, which is better?
It depends on the project, but a fixed price agreed before starting shifts the estimation risk to whoever has the knowledge to estimate (the provider). We work at a fixed price: if we get it wrong, the loss is ours.
Why does code ownership matter so much?
Because it determines your future freedom. If the code and data are yours and documented, you can change provider whenever you want. If not, you are trapped paying whatever whoever controls your system decides.
Do you subcontract development?
No. The code is written by our in-house senior team in Spain. You talk directly to whoever builds it, with no subcontracted agencies or middlemen.
