Hiring and Managing Contractors (developers). Advice Needed

[mojorisin]

I've hired a few contractors in the past for task work with success. In building a SaaS, I learned I needed more than only a developer so I negotitated with a smaller agency. Overall its gone well, and I trust the owner. The UI looks good, but after the big project they lost interest and now have fumbled on ongoing updates. I need to keep going back to have them fix very basic items that are not correct.

The main issue, I believe, is they are not actually using or even attempting to use the product we're developing. We used to call it "eating our own dogfood". I know this because they make stupid and obvious development mistakes that anybody with common sense using the product would not do. When I asked them, they're like "we're not fintech experts". Yeah, ok but we're talking basics like 3 column totals need to equal each other. I then need to escalate, then they charge me to redo some of the basic crap. It also costs me alot of extra time.

So I found a specific dev on Upwork who's highly rated, has an MBA, and when I speak with him he "gets it".

However I have comfort with the agency since they handled my setup, devops, and overall build for 8 months. I'd essentially be leaving them for an unknown.

I really need to go faster, not have to re-explain basic stuff. Not only does it cost me money but TIME to market. I have test users waiting on features or I'm gonna lose their interest.

Any advice here for you experts??? TIA.

 

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[binydev]

I think both working with individual developers and agency works perfect. How about have you consider technical co-founder with some small share.

 

[Andy Black]

@GIlman has a team of developers I think.

 

[mojorisin]

I think both working with individual developers and agency works perfect. How about have you consider technical co-founder with some small share.

I have thought about the co-founder. While I have not done it in my past, I can envision the pro & con. I would not want to do 50%, but something like 20% would be of interest to me. My thinking is to find a developer who is already working with me, if strong, then make an offer of ownership in exchange for development work.

My other thought of a co-founder would be an influencer. Somebody who could catapult the business simply through their network.

Bottom line: they would need to add significant value to the business. Its always "fun" to co-found with a buddy, but if they will not catapult the business with a unique skill I do not have then what's the point right?

 

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[binydev]

I have thought about the co-founder. While I have not done it in my past, I can envision the pro & con. I would not want to do 50%, but something like 20% would be of interest to me. My thinking is to find a developer who is already working with me, if strong, then make an offer of ownership in exchange for development work.

My other thought of a co-founder would be an influencer. Somebody who could catapult the business simply through their network.

Bottom line: they would need to add significant value to the business. Its always "fun" to co-found with a buddy, but if they will not catapult the business with a unique skill I do not have then what's the point right?

You made good points, actually for being co-founder it needs to have the same vision not only technical skill. But if you find someone that shared you vision and technical skill, and you with good idea and marketing or sales, it is easy to build robust product that we call productoracy,