Hiring an app developer is a big decision. You’re trusting someone with your idea, your budget, and potentially your business’s future. Before you sign anything, here are the questions that separate great development partners from ones that’ll leave you frustrated.
1. Can You Show Me Apps You’ve Actually Built?
Not mockups. Not concepts. Real apps in the App Store or Google Play that you can download and use. Ask for 3-5 examples relevant to your industry or complexity level. Check out our portfolio and case studies for examples of our work.
Red flag: Portfolios full of “confidential” projects with no verifiable work.
2. Who Exactly Will Be Working on My Project?
Some agencies show you senior developers in the sales meeting, then hand your project to junior staff. Ask specifically who will write your code, design your interfaces, and manage the project.
Follow up: Can I meet them before we start?
3. What’s Your Development Process?
Good developers have a defined process — discovery, design, development, testing, deployment. They should be able to walk you through each phase and what to expect. According to the Project Management Institute (opens in a new tab), projects with clear processes have significantly higher success rates.
We use an agile approach with two-week sprints, regular demos, and ongoing communication. If someone can’t clearly explain their process, they might not have one.
4. How Do You Handle Changes Mid-Project?
Requirements change. It happens on every project. Ask how they manage scope changes, what the approval process looks like, and how changes affect timeline and budget.
Red flag: “We don’t allow changes” or “Changes are included” (both extremes cause problems).
5. What Happens If Something Breaks After Launch?
Apps need maintenance. iOS and Android update constantly. Ask about post-launch support, bug fixes, and maintenance packages.
Important: Who owns the code? You should. Get that in writing.
6. How Will We Communicate?
Weekly calls? Daily standups? Slack channel? Project management tool? Know what to expect and make sure it matches how you work.
We’ve seen projects struggle because clients expected constant availability while developers expected weekly check-ins. Align expectations upfront.
7. What’s Not Included in Your Quote?
Hidden costs kill budgets. Ask specifically about:
- Third-party service fees (APIs, hosting, etc.)
- App store developer accounts ($99/year Apple, $25 one-time Google)
- Design revisions beyond initial scope
- QA testing
- Project management
8. Can You Provide References?
Talk to previous clients. Ask: Did they deliver on time? On budget? Were they responsive when problems arose? Would you hire them again?
If they can’t provide references, ask why.
9. What Technology Stack Do You Recommend and Why?
A good developer doesn’t just build what you ask — they advise on the best approach. They should explain why they recommend native vs. cross-platform, which backend services make sense, and how their choices affect your long-term costs. Learn about different approaches in our mobile app development services.
Red flag: “We only use [one technology]” regardless of project needs.
10. What Could Go Wrong?
This question reveals a lot. Experienced developers know what causes projects to fail — unclear requirements, scope creep, communication breakdowns, unrealistic timelines. They should be honest about risks and how they mitigate them.
If someone tells you nothing could go wrong, they either lack experience or aren’t being honest.
Bonus: Trust Your Gut
Beyond the questions, pay attention to how they communicate. Are they responsive? Do they explain things clearly? Do they listen to your ideas or talk over you?
You’ll be working closely with these people for months. Make sure the relationship feels right.
The Bottom Line
The cheapest option is rarely the best value. The most expensive option isn’t automatically the best either. Look for transparency, experience, and communication skills.
A good development partner will welcome these questions. If someone gets defensive or evasive, that tells you something important.
Have questions about your app project? Schedule a free consultation — we’re always happy to chat — even if you’re just exploring options and not ready to commit to anything.