Look for product judgment, not only syntax knowledge
A good MVP developer can explain tradeoffs, ask about users and identify what should not be built yet. A portfolio is useful, but ask what the person actually owned and how the work was operated after launch.
You do not need a perfect résumé. You do need clear thinking, reliable communication and the ability to make assumptions visible.
Questions to ask
Ask how they would break your idea into a first release, what risks they would test first, how they handle authentication and deployment, and what documentation you will receive.
Ask for a milestone example, the expected feedback process and how changes affect scope.
- Who owns the repository and infrastructure accounts?
- How will we review progress?
- What is included in QA and launch?
- How are bugs and change requests handled?
- What happens if the engagement ends?
Contracts and ownership
Put scope, milestones, fees, payment triggers, IP ownership, confidentiality, access and support in writing. Use accounts your business owns where practical. Code without deployment access or documentation is not a complete handover.
Red flags
Be cautious around guaranteed outcomes, unexplained low quotes, pressure to pay everything upfront, no repository access, vague deliverables, copied portfolios or reluctance to discuss failure paths. Clear uncertainty is healthier than confident guessing.
Common questions
Can DevNexia help scope this work?
Yes. Share your goals, current product and constraints through the free assessment form and we can suggest a practical next step.
Are the costs and timelines guaranteed?
No. Custom software estimates depend on scope, integrations, team shape and feedback. A written estimate becomes more useful after requirements are understood.