What Questions Should I Ask Before Hiring a Software Developer?

Hiring a software developer is a big decision. Whether you need a new website, a custom app, or a full platform built from scratch, the person or team you choose will shape how smoothly the project goes and how well the end result actually works for your business.

A lot of business owners get burned not because they picked a "bad" developer, but because they never asked the right questions upfront. Here's what to cover before you sign anything.

1. What Is Your Experience With Projects Like Mine?

Every developer has a different specialty. Someone who's great at e-commerce sites might not be the right fit for a custom booking system, and vice versa. Ask to see real examples of work they've done that's similar to what you're asking for, and don't be afraid to request references.

This is one of the reasons agencies like KraftCodes stand out. You can look at their portfolio and past client work directly on their website at https://kraftcodes.com, and see how they talk about their process and their clients on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/kraftcodes/. When a company is open about its work and happy to show it off, that's usually a good sign.

2. What Technologies Will You Use, and Why?

You don't need to be a developer yourself to ask this question. A good developer should be able to explain, in plain English, why they're recommending a certain platform or framework for your project, not just what they personally prefer to work in.

This matters for your budget too, since some technologies are cheaper to maintain long term than others.

3. How Do You Handle Communication and Timelines?

Delays happen sometimes, that's normal. What matters is whether the developer has a real process for setting expectations and keeping you in the loop. Ask:

• How often will we check in, and how (email, calls, project management tools)?
• What happens if something runs behind schedule?
• Will I be able to see progress along the way, or only at the end?

Teams that communicate well from the start tend to deliver better results, because problems get caught early instead of at launch.

4. What's Actually Included in the Price?

Get a clear, itemized breakdown before committing to anything. Ask what's included, like design, development, testing, and revisions, and what costs extra, like hosting or future updates. Hidden fees are one of the most common complaints business owners have after a project wraps up, so this is worth nailing down early.

5. Who Owns the Final Product?

This one gets overlooked more than people expect. Make sure your agreement clearly states that you own the code, design files, and any other assets once the project is paid off. A trustworthy developer won't hesitate to put this in writing.

6. What Support Do You Offer After Launch?

Software needs care after it goes live. Ask if there's a warranty period for bugs, what ongoing maintenance costs look like, and whether they'll train you or your team to manage things going forward.

7. Can I See This in Writing?

A clear, written scope of work protects everyone involved. It should spell out deliverables, deadlines, payment terms, and what happens if either side needs to step away from the project. If a developer is hesitant to put things on paper, take that as a warning sign.

Final Thoughts

Hiring a software developer is an investment in your business, so it's worth doing the homework upfront. Ask about experience, communication, pricing, ownership, and support before you commit to anyone.

If you want to see what these answers actually look like in practice, check out KraftCodes at https://kraftcodes.com or follow their work on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/kraftcodes/. They're a great example of a team that's transparent about how they work and proud to show the results.