Agency proposals often look similar on paper. They describe a sensible process, list impressive skills and promise good communication. The differences only become obvious once work starts. Asking sharper questions before you sign helps bring those differences to the surface while you can still walk away.
Below is a list grouped by theme. You do not need to ask every single one, but cover each area.
About understanding your needs
- What do you think is the riskiest part of this project? A thoughtful answer shows they have actually considered your brief rather than copying a template.
- What would you leave out of the first version, and why? Good partners help you focus on what matters most.
- What information do you still need from us? If they have no questions at all, be cautious.
About the team
- Who exactly will work on my project? Ask for roles and, ideally, names.
- Will the people I meet now be the people doing the work? Sometimes senior staff win the deal and juniors deliver it.
- What happens if a team member leaves partway through? Look for a clear plan for continuity.
About process and communication
- How do you plan and track work? Ask to see an example of a project board or report.
- How often will I see working software? Regular demos are a strong sign of a healthy process.
- Who is my main point of contact, and how quickly do they usually reply?
- What will you need from me each week? This tells you how much of your time the project will take.
About handling change
Every project changes. The question is how.
- How do you deal with new requests mid-project?
- How do you estimate the impact of a change?
- What happens if we need to pause or reduce the scope?
You want a clear, calm process rather than either rigid refusal or silent acceptance.
About quality and testing
- How do you test your work before showing it to us?
- Do you write automated tests, and for which parts?
- How do you handle security, especially for user data and payments?
- Will you support our team during user acceptance testing?
About ownership and access
- Will we own the source code and designs when the project is paid for?
- Where will the code be stored, and will we have access throughout?
- Whose name will hosting and third-party accounts be registered under?
These answers should be reflected in the contract, not just promised verbally.
About cost
Avoid focusing only on the headline figure. Instead ask:
- What assumptions is this estimate based on?
- What is not included that we might need?
- How are extra hours or changes charged?
- What ongoing costs should we expect after launch, such as hosting, licences or maintenance?
Understanding what drives cost is more useful than comparing totals that cover different things.
About life after launch
- What warranty period do you offer for fixing defects?
- Do you offer ongoing maintenance, and how does it work?
- If we decide to move to another provider, how does handover work?
An agency confident in its work will be comfortable answering this last question openly.
Pay attention to how they answer
Beyond the content of the answers, notice the tone. Do they explain things clearly without jargon? Do they admit what they do not know? Do they push back respectfully when an idea is unwise? These behaviours are a strong preview of what working together will feel like.
For a sense of the range of work an agency like ours takes on, see our services overview.
FAQ
How many agencies should I speak to?
Talking to a small handful usually gives enough comparison without becoming overwhelming. Make sure each receives the same brief so their answers are comparable.
Is it rude to ask such detailed questions?
Not at all. Professional agencies expect them and often welcome them, because clear expectations make projects run better.
What if an agency avoids answering?
Treat evasive answers as a warning. If they are vague now, communication is unlikely to improve once you have signed.
Next step
Export Apps welcomes tough questions and is happy to answer every one on this list. Book a conversation with us whenever suits you.