Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about working with Fortune 500 engineers for your custom software development project.
Sales Process & Pricing
How does your pricing compare to traditional agencies?
Our rates are typically 30-50% lower than traditional agencies because we don't have their overhead costs. You get Fortune 500 quality with startup-friendly pricing. We're transparent about costs upfront - no hidden fees or surprise charges.
What's included in your project quotes?
Every quote includes detailed scope breakdown, timeline with milestones, technology recommendations, risk assessment, and post-launch support. We also provide alternative approaches and cost comparisons to help you make informed decisions.
Do you require payment upfront?
We typically work with milestone-based payments. For most projects, we request 25% to start, 50% at key milestones, and 25% upon completion. For smaller projects, we may request 50% upfront. We're flexible based on your company's payment procedures.
Can you work within our existing procurement process?
Yes, we're experienced with enterprise procurement processes. We can work through your preferred vendor onboarding, handle RFP responses, and accommodate standard corporate contracting requirements including MSAs, SOWs, and compliance documentation.
Technical Capabilities
What technologies do you specialize in?
Our core expertise includes modern web and mobile technologies:
- • Frontend: Next.js, React, TypeScript, Vue.js
- • Backend: FastAPI, Go, Node.js, Spring Boot
- • Mobile: React Native, Flutter
- • Cloud: AWS, GCP, Azure, Docker, Kubernetes
- • Databases: PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Redis
Can you integrate with our existing systems?
Absolutely. We have extensive experience integrating with legacy systems, third-party APIs, and enterprise software. We'll analyze your current architecture and design integration strategies that minimize disruption while maximizing value.
Do you handle mobile app store deployment?
Yes, we handle the complete mobile app lifecycle including App Store and Google Play deployment, app store optimization, and ongoing updates. We can also manage enterprise app distribution if you're building internal tools.
What about AI and machine learning capabilities?
We build AI-enabled applications using modern frameworks and APIs. While we're not ML researchers, we excel at integrating AI services (OpenAI, Anthropic, AWS AI/ML) into practical business applications and building the infrastructure to support AI workflows.
Security & Compliance
What security standards do you follow?
We implement Fortune 500 security standards including OWASP Top 10 protection, encryption at rest and in transit, secure authentication (OAuth2/SAML), regular security audits, and compliance with GDPR, CCPA, and industry-specific regulations like HIPAA or SOX.
Can you help with compliance requirements?
Yes, we have experience with various compliance frameworks including HIPAA (healthcare), SOC 2 (SaaS), PCI DSS (payments), and general data protection regulations. We build compliance considerations into the architecture from day one rather than retrofitting later.
How do you protect our intellectual property?
We sign comprehensive NDAs before any project discussions. All code and IP belongs 100% to you. We maintain strict confidentiality protocols and can work within your security requirements including background checks if needed.
Project Management & Timelines
How long do projects typically take?
Timeline depends on scope, but typical ranges are: Discovery phase (1-2 weeks), Simple MVP (4-6 weeks), Complex web application (8-16 weeks), Enterprise integration (12-24 weeks). We provide detailed timelines in every quote and track progress weekly.
How do you handle changes to project scope?
We use agile methodologies that accommodate reasonable scope changes. Minor adjustments are often absorbed within the project. Larger changes trigger a formal change request process with impact assessment and client approval before proceeding.
What if we need to accelerate the timeline?
We can often accommodate accelerated timelines by adding resources or working in parallel tracks. Rush projects may incur additional costs (typically 25-50% premium) depending on the acceleration needed and our current capacity.
How often will we receive updates?
Weekly progress reports every Friday including demos, metrics, and next steps. You'll have access to development environments to see progress in real-time. We also provide ad-hoc updates for important milestones or if issues arise.
Support & Maintenance
What happens after the project launches?
Every project includes 30 days of warranty support for bug fixes and minor adjustments. We also offer ongoing maintenance contracts covering security updates, performance monitoring, feature enhancements, and technical support with defined SLAs.
Can our internal team take over maintenance?
Absolutely. We provide comprehensive documentation, code comments, and knowledge transfer sessions. We build applications with standard practices so any competent development team can maintain them. We're also available for consulting as needed.
What if we need to add features later?
We design applications with extensibility in mind. New features can typically be added efficiently because of the solid architectural foundation. We maintain relationships with clients for ongoing development and can prioritize feature requests based on business value.
Working Relationship
Why can't you disclose your current employers?
We maintain strict professional confidentiality agreements with our current employers. This same discretion protects your project details. Our NDAs demonstrate that we work with serious clients who value confidentiality - a good sign for your project security.
How do we know you won't leave mid-project?
We're professional consultants with established moonlighting practices. Our contracts include project completion guarantees, and we maintain capacity buffers to handle any unforeseen circumstances. We've never had a project completion issue in our consulting history.
What time zones do you work in?
We're based in Eastern Time (GMT-5) but can accommodate meetings across North American time zones. For international clients, we establish regular communication windows that work for both parties. Development work happens outside standard business hours but communication is professional hours.
Can we visit your office or meet in person?
We operate as a distributed team of professionals. For local clients (Toronto area), we can arrange in-person meetings at neutral locations or your offices. For most projects, video conferencing provides effective collaboration without the overhead of physical office space.
Still Have Questions?
Schedule a free 30-minute consultation to discuss your specific project needs and get answers to questions not covered here.