What to ask before hiring a software house

Choosing a software partner is one of the riskiest decisions a small business makes. The proposals often look alike, so the questions you ask matter more than the slide deck you are shown.

Who will actually build it?

Ask for the names and roles of the people doing the work. Being introduced to senior people and then handed to juniors is common. You should be able to speak to the people who write the code.

Who owns the code and the accounts?

The answer should be you. Hosting, app-store, domain and repository accounts should be in your name from day one, with the agency added as a collaborator.

How will we see progress?

Look for regular demos of working software rather than status reports. If you cannot click on something every couple of weeks, risk is hiding.

What is not included?

Every estimate makes assumptions. Ask what would change the price: extra integrations, content, third-party fees, support after launch.

How do you handle change?

Requirements always move. A good partner has a simple way to trade scope, time and cost without a dispute.

What happens after launch?

Software needs updates, monitoring and fixes. Agree support terms and response times before you sign.

Can we talk to a past client?

References are more useful than case-study PDFs. A confident partner will happily connect you.

None of these questions are unusual, and a good agency will welcome them. If a supplier avoids them, that is useful information too.