Before hiring an app developer, use the first conversation to establish how the project will be delivered. This checklist focuses on choosing a supplier and agreeing responsibilities, rather than deciding which features to put in your app.
Explore our mobile app development services and examples of our projects.
Ask who will deliver each part
Who handles planning, design, database work, app development and testing? Who is your regular contact? Ask which parts are subcontracted and how the supplier keeps those people working from the agreed specification.
Ask how the price becomes an agreement
What information is needed before a firm quote can be prepared? Which assumptions are built into it? How will you approve extra work? Ask the supplier to explain what happens if a requirement changes halfway through the build.
Ask how progress and completion are reviewed
How often will you see working software? Who records feedback, and how do you distinguish a defect from a new request? Ask for the process used to agree that the delivered work meets the specification.
Ask about access and continuity
Which business accounts, services and project materials will you need access to? What happens when the original contact is unavailable? Ask about support terms and future changes before signing, so the route after launch is understood.
Questions and answers
Should I ask for references or examples?
Yes. Look for relevant completed work and ask which parts the developer delivered.
Can I ask for plain-English explanations?
Yes. You should understand the deliverables and responsibilities before agreeing to them.
Do I need a full specification before the first call?
No. Bring the problem, intended users and the information you already have.
What is a useful warning sign?
Unclear deliverables or unresolved questions about access, payment and support need clarification before you commit.
Discuss your requirements
Tell us the main issue you want to solve, the process that takes the most work and what you would like to improve. We can discuss an appropriate scope and the cost of building it.