How to choose an app development company: 10 questions to ask

Red flags to walk away from

• A single lump-sum price with no breakdown of what you're paying for
• "We can build an app like Uber for $5,000" — that's a demo, not a product
• No mention of testing, security or who owns the code
• Pressure to pay a large amount upfront
• You'll talk to a salesperson, never the engineers

The 10 questions to ask before you sign

• Can you give me a component-level estimate, not one lump sum?
• Do I own the source code, and when is it handed over?
• Is there an automated test suite, and does a failing test block release?
• Who reviews the code — and will a senior engineer own it?
• How is the payment schedule tied to working deliverables?
• Will I see working software every week, or only at the end?
• How do you handle changes to scope mid-project?
• What happens after launch — support, maintenance, handover?
• Can you show me a real product you shipped (not just a demo)?
• Who will I actually talk to day-to-day?

What a good answer sounds like

The right partner gives you a fixed, itemised price you approve before work starts; hands over full source code and documentation; tests by default; shows you working demos weekly; and puts you in direct contact with the engineer building your product. If a company can answer these ten questions clearly and confidently, you've likely found a keeper.