Choosing the wrong software developer is expensive. Not just in money — but in time, momentum, and the opportunities you miss while stuck fixing someone else's mistakes.
I've seen it happen repeatedly: a business owner pays a deposit to a cheap developer found on Facebook, waits six months, gets a half-finished system, and then has to start over with a real developer who charges three times more.
This checklist is what I'd hand to any Zimbabwean business owner before they sign a contract with a software developer. Run through all seven points before you commit.
1. Do they own their code, or do they resell?
Some "developers" are actually resellers of foreign SaaS platforms. They'll charge you $2,000 to "build" a system that's really just a configuration of some off-the-shelf tool. When you ask for a specific feature that isn't in the platform, they can't deliver — and neither can you, because you don't have access to the underlying code.
What to ask: "Do I get the full source code at the end of the project, and can I hire anyone else to work on it later?"
The right answer is: yes, and here's how we hand it over.
2. Can they show you working systems?
Anyone can build a pretty landing page. Not everyone can build a system that handles hundreds of users, complex permissions, and real business logic.
What to ask: "Show me two systems you've built that I can log into or see screenshots of."
If they show you mock-ups or dribbble-style designs, that's a red flag. You want to see real, functioning software — even if it's a demo version.
3. Do they support it after delivery?
Software isn't a one-time purchase. Things break. Requirements change. New integrations become necessary. If your developer disappears after handover, you're on your own.
What to ask: "What's your support model after the project is done? Is there a monthly fee, or is it pay-as-you-go?"
Both models are fine. What matters is that there is a clear answer — not "we'll figure it out later."
4. Do you get the source code?
This is the single most important point on this list. If you don't own the source code, you don't own the system. You're renting access to it.
I've met business owners who paid $3,000 for a system, then couldn't leave the developer because they didn't have the code. When they wanted a new feature, they were quoted three times what a new developer would have charged — because they had no alternative.
What to ask: "Will I receive the source code, database schema, and deployment documentation when we finish?"
If the answer is anything other than yes, walk away.
5. Are the quotes clear and itemised?
"$2,000 to build a system" tells you nothing. What's included? How many revisions? What happens if you need more pages than planned?
What to ask: "Can I see a written scope of work with features, timeline, and pricing broken down?"
A good developer will send you a document listing every feature, how long it takes, and what it costs. Vague quotes mean vague results.
6. Local presence vs offshore
Foreign developers are often cheaper per hour. But there's a hidden cost: time zone differences, communication gaps, and no legal recourse if things go wrong.
For most Zimbabwean businesses, a local developer is worth the premium because:
- You can meet in person if needed
- They understand local payment systems (EcoCash, InnBucks, Paynow)
- They understand local business practices (multi-currency, VAT, ZIMRA reporting)
- You have legal recourse if they breach the contract
Exception: If your project is web-only, has no local integrations, and you're comfortable managing remote work, offshore can work — as long as you still own the code.
7. Do they understand your industry?
Generic developers build generic software. If your business has specific requirements — school fees tracking, retail stock management, medical records, logistics dispatch — you need a developer who has worked in that space before.
What to ask: "Have you built anything for [my industry] before? What were the biggest challenges?"
Even if they haven't, a good developer will research your industry thoroughly. But if they can't articulate the specific challenges of your sector, that's a warning sign.
The contract checklist
Before you sign anything, make sure the contract includes:
- Full scope of work (features, pages, integrations)
- Timeline with milestones
- Payment schedule tied to milestones, not dates
- Ownership clause (you own all code and data)
- Support terms after delivery
- Confidentiality clause
- What happens if the project is cancelled mid-way
If the developer won't sign a written contract, don't hire them. No exceptions.
Red flags to watch for
- Asks for full payment upfront. Legitimate developers take 30–50% as a deposit and the rest at milestones.
- No portfolio, or only mockups. They've never actually shipped anything.
- Quotes an unrealistically low price. "I'll build your system for $200" — that price means they'll disappear halfway through.
- Won't talk about the code. If they dodge questions about tech stack or hosting, they might be reselling a platform.
- No written contract. Verbal agreements are worth nothing when things go wrong.
- Promises everything. Real developers say "no" to features that don't fit the project. Only amateurs say "yes" to everything.
Final thoughts
Hiring a developer is a big decision. Take your time, ask the hard questions, and don't let price alone make the decision for you. A $500 system that doesn't work costs more than a $2,500 system that does.
If you'd like to talk through your project, we're happy to walk you through our process, share our portfolio, and answer any questions you have — no pressure, no sales pitch.
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