CYBERWEAVER:
To cut the story short, what factors should someone consider when hiring a software developer or a software dev company as I already booked an appointment with some companies in Abuja for negotiations and some others..
I budgeted about 900k for this project and what are things I personally need to do before hiring one?
Please share knowledges.

MrBible:
Best advice will be to get the developer to deliver each functionality in stages by so doing you can test each funtionality to know if it is what you expect as they progress with the development.

Goodluck with your project.

talk2hb1:

I guess he just want to outsource and get a product, he doesn't want to babysit any project.
@Cyberweaver if eventually you outsource your project, you need to follow what @MrBilble said strictly. Its part of AGILE Methodology of project project management.

MrBible:


OP said he has "already booked an appointment with some companies in Abuja for negotiations and some others."

Part of the negotiations I would suggest should be to get the developer to deliver each functionality in stages by so doing you can test each funtionality to know if it is what you expect as they progress with the development.

I would also suggest that OP should pay a deposit per funtionality and when that functionality is complete the OP pays the balance for that funtionality and the same for all the other functionalities.

Portfolio and years of experience are not enough when it comes to software development as every new project has new challenges to overcome.

Lessons to learn from and these are very common: Accenture sued for $32 million over Hertz website redesign
Lawsuit filed by car rental agency Hertz claims leading management and IT consultancy Accenture “failed to deliver the website and apps for which it was so generously paid.”
https://www.consulting.us/news/2197/accenture-sued-for-32-million-over-hertz-website-redesign

talk2hb1:

So we are here to learn, what should he look out for?
or what would you look out for?

MrBible:


Software development industry is one of the worst industries where someone who is not a very good programmer will only be taking a chance with their money when they hire a company or programmer.

My advice is that:
1. OP should ask to see some projects they have done before.
If OP is happy and wants to hire the company or developer then

2. I would also suggest that OP should pay a deposit per functionality and when that functionality is complete the OP tries it and if his is happy with it then the balance is paid for that functionality and the same for all the other functionalities.

talk2hb1:

I still don't get how this will help the OP with hiring a developer.

MrBible:


I don't see why any company or developer should be afriad of my suggessions below unless they just want to collect a hugh payment inadvance for work they cannot do.

My advice is that:
1. OP should ask to see some projects they have done before.
If OP is happy and wants to hire the company or developer then

2. I would also suggest that OP should pay a deposit per functionality and when that functionality is complete the OP tries it and if his is happy with it then the balance is paid for that functionality and the same for all the other functionalities.

talk2hb1:

Your suggestion only cater for after selection, meanwhile the OP want to know what look out for when recruiting individual or agency for his project.
Although he might consider your proposed method when negotiating terms and condition of contract.

CYBERWEAVER:
To cut the story short, what factors should someone consider when hiring a software developer or a software dev company as I already booked an appointment with some companies in Abuja for negotiations and some others..
I budgeted about 900k for this project and what are things I personally need to do before hiring one?
Please share knowledges.

MrBible:

"already booked an appointment with some companies in Abuja for negotiations and some others.. "

talk2hb1:

Hope You Get The Keyword (Still Exploring my options, and I want to make the right the decision), he wants to know how to dig into them when he eventually meet with them

MrBible:


OP does'nt just need a product like you suggested before but OP also needs a product that does what he wants well.

So I still don't see why any company or developer should be afriad of my suggessions below unless they just want to collect a hugh payment inadvance for work they cannot do.

My advice is that:
1. OP should ask to see some projects they have done before.
If OP is happy and wants to hire the company or developer then

2. I would also suggest that OP should only agree to pay a deposit per functionality and when that functionality is complete the OP tries it and if his is happy with it then the balance is paid for that functionality and the same for all the other functionalities.

OP already has budget so l'm sure he would want the company or developer to keep within his budget.

CYBERWEAVER:

...
what factors should someone consider when hiring a software developer or a software dev company
as I already booked an appointment with some companies in Abuja for negotiations and some others..
I budgeted about 900k for this project and what are things I personally need to do before hiring one?
Please share knowledges.

MrBible:
Best advice will be to get the developer to deliver each functionality in stages by so doing you can test each funtionality to know if it is what you expect as they progress with the development.

Goodluck with your project.

talk2hb1:

First Portfolio, Secondly their year of Experience, Price Quote and Finally their Technology Stack.



I guess he just want to outsource and get a product, he doesn't want to babysit any project.
@Cyberweaver if eventually you outsource your project, you need to follow what @MrBilble said strictly. Its part of AGILE Methodology of project project management.

rhinecharles1:
There are several factors you should consider before hiring a software developer. Some of them are below:
1. Location: Are you going to hire an onshore or offshore developer? If you want to remotely work with the developer than location does not matter. Offshoring project may save the overall cost of the project. If you want to meet in person to the developer, you should hire a software developer in your nearby location.

2. Development Charges: What are the rates of a software developer? If you are working on an hourly basis, you should check what hourly rates are applied by the software developer.

3. Relevant Experience: Check if developer has worked on similar project that you have? Also, how many years of experience they have?

4. Ask them to provide you sample work: Many times, you want to check the code writing skills of a developer? You can ask them to provide you sample code before starting the project.

talk2hb1:

I am not disputing your point, maybe you don't get what he wants.



Hope You understand his requirement?
And Here are your suggestions

Putting the Cart Before the Horse
Here is what I suggested

Of which some good individual supported with details:


I guess we should follow Logic here.............

MrBible:


The OP have said he "budgeted about 900k for this project and what are things I personally need to do before hiring one?
Please share knowledges."

You need to understand that you do not negotiate after you hire someone. You need to negotiate before you hire someone. So you are the one putting the Cart before the Horse.

Lots of developers will be scared of my advice below, but it is the most important bit to add in the negotiation before hiring a developer if OP does not want to hire a developer that cannot deliver his project.

2. I would also suggest that OP should only agree to pay a deposit per functionality and when that functionality is complete the OP tries it and if his is happy with it then the balance is paid for that functionality and the same for all the other functionalities.

talk2hb1:

So how does your point ensure the OP recruit a competent developer? ? ?

MrBible:

You are just going round in circles.

CYBERWEAVER:
To cut the story short, what factors should someone consider when hiring a software developer or a software dev company as I already booked an appointment with some companies in Abuja for negotiations and some others..
I budgeted about 900k for this project and what are things I personally need to do before hiring one?
Please share knowledges.