Five red flags when hiring a software agency

Most software projects fail before a line of code is written — in the sales call. Here are five red flags we'd watch for, from a studio that lives on the other side of these conversations.

1. No written scope

If it isn't on paper, it doesn't exist. Verbal promises don't ship software.

2. Everything is “easy”

Honest engineers say “it depends.” Salespeople say “no problem.”

3. No demos, only reports

Working software is the only progress that counts. Ask to see it running.

4. Silence about month six

Software lives after launch. Ask who fixes it, monitors it, and answers the phone.

5. Buzzword pricing

“AI-powered, next-gen, revolutionary” — adjectives are not deliverables.

We try to do the opposite: written scope, sprint demos, and support after launch. That's the whole trick.