Staff augmentation — adding external developers to your team — is one of the fastest ways to increase capacity. But partners vary enormously. Before comparing prices, compare how each one actually works.
1. How are developers vetted?
- Are developers full-time employees or freelancers sourced on demand?
- What technical assessments do they pass?
- Can you interview candidates before committing?
2. What experience is relevant to you?
Ask for case studies in your technology and industry. A team experienced with Shopify, Laravel or .NET in your sector will ramp up much faster.
3. How is continuity handled?
- What happens if a developer is sick, leaves or is not the right fit?
- Is there a backup or replacement process?
- How is knowledge documented?
4. How will you communicate?
- Overlapping working hours with your time zone
- Tools: Slack, Teams, Jira, GitHub
- Daily updates and weekly demos
- A project manager or account contact
5. Security and ownership
- NDA before starting
- Full IP transfer in the contract
- Work in your repositories and accounts
- Secure devices and access practices
6. Pricing transparency
Understand exactly what is included: equipment, management, QA, replacement, holidays. A slightly higher rate that includes these may cost less overall than a cheap rate with hidden extras.
7. Contract flexibility
- Minimum commitment period
- Notice period to scale down
- Ability to switch between hourly, part-time and full-time
Scoring template
| Criterion | Weight | Partner A | Partner B |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vetting & interviews | 20% | ||
| Relevant experience | 20% | ||
| Continuity & replacement | 15% | ||
| Communication | 15% | ||
| Security & IP | 15% | ||
| Price & flexibility | 15% |
Evaluating partners? See how Appri Infotech's dedicated developers work — and interview them before you decide.