1. Define what you actually need
Before contacting anyone, write down your goals, must-have features, target timeline, budget range and the tech constraints you already have. A clear brief lets you compare companies on the same basis and filters out poor fits fast.
2. Examine the portfolio and references
Look for work similar in complexity and domain to yours, not just a pretty showreel. Ask for references and actually call them - ask about reliability, communication and what went wrong and how it was handled.
3. Assess technical and domain expertise
Confirm depth in the stack your product needs and experience in your industry. Strong partners advise on architecture, security and scalability up front rather than just taking orders.
4. Test communication and process
How quickly and clearly a company responds during the sales process predicts the engagement. Ask how they run projects: sprints, demos, reporting, and your time-zone overlap. You want frequent visibility, not a black box.
5. Understand pricing, contracts and IP
Get transparent pricing and an engagement model that fits (fixed-price, dedicated team or staff augmentation). Confirm you own the IP, and read the terms on change requests, warranties and exit. See our cost guide and engagement models.
6. Watch for red flags
- Quotes that seem too cheap, with vague scope
- No references or relevant case studies
- Slow, unclear communication before you've even signed
- Reluctance to assign IP or sign an NDA
- Over-promising on timeline without discovery
Ready to talk?
If you'd like a partner that scores well on all six, tell us about your project - we'll respond within 24 hours, or browse how to hire our experts.