How to Hire a Developer When You Don't Know Code — 2025 Guide

You need a developer to build your app. But you don't know code, which makes hiring feel impossible.

How do you evaluate someone's technical skills when you can't read code yourself? How do you know if they're any good? How do you avoid getting ripped off?

I've been on both sides of this. As a developer for 20+ years, I've worked with dozens of non-technical founders. I've also seen founders make expensive hiring mistakes—paying $30K for unusable code, getting ghosted mid-project, or choosing developers who can code but don't understand business.

This guide teaches you exactly how to hire a developer when you're non-technical—from finding candidates to evaluating quality to managing the relationship.

Quick Answer (TL;DR)

The 5-step process that works:

1. Define what you need (1 week): Create a simple specification document
2. Find qualified candidates (2-3 weeks): Look in the right places, avoid Fiverr/Upwork for MVPs
3. Screen with smart questions (1 week): You don't need to know code to ask the right questions
4. Check references thoroughly (1 week): Talk to 2-3 past clients, ask specific questions
5. Start with a paid trial (1-2 weeks): Small paid project before committing to the full build

Budget reality: Good developers cost $75-$150/hour. For a proper SaaS MVP, expect $15K-$35K total. (See the complete breakdown in my guide on how much it costs to build a SaaS.)

Timeline: Plan 4-6 weeks to find and vet the right person. Rushing this decision costs you months later.

Now let's dive deep into each step.

The Big Mistake Most Non-Technical Founders Make

They hire based on price instead of value.

A $20/hour developer on Upwork seems like a great deal—until they deliver buggy code you can't use, disappear mid-project, or build something that can't scale past 10 users.

Then you're stuck:

• Do you pay someone else to fix their mess? (Often costs more than starting over)
• Do you throw it away and rebuild? (Wasted time and money)
• Do you give up on your idea? (Most common, sadly)

If this has already happened to you, read my developer left mid-project recovery guide for specific steps to salvage the situation.

The better approach: Hire someone more expensive who gets it right the first time. A $100/hour developer who ships clean, working code in 8 weeks beats a $25/hour developer who takes 20 weeks and delivers garbage.

Step 1: Know What You're Looking For

Before you start looking for developers, you need to understand what kind of developer you need.

Types of Developers

Full-Stack Developer

• Builds both front-end (what users see) and back-end (database, logic)
• Best for: Most SaaS MVPs
• Budget: $75-$150/hour

Front-End Specialist

• Focuses on user interface and experience
• Best for: If you already have back-end covered
• Budget: $60-$120/hour

Back-End Specialist

• Focuses on databases, APIs, server logic
• Best for: Complex data processing, integrations
• Budget: $80-$150/hour

For most non-technical founders building a SaaS MVP, you want a full-stack developer who can handle everything.

Experience Levels

Junior (0-2 years)

• Pros: Cheaper ($40-$60/hour), eager to learn
• Cons: Needs guidance, makes costly mistakes, slower
• Best for: Simple projects with tight budgets

Mid-Level (3-5 years)

• Pros: Good balance of cost and competence, can work independently
• Cons: May not have seen complex scaling issues
• Best for: Standard SaaS MVPs

Senior (6+ years)

• Pros: Has seen everything, makes smart architecture decisions, faster
• Cons: More expensive ($100-$150/hour)
• Best for: Complex products, founders who want a technical partner

My recommendation for non-technical founders: Mid-level or senior. Junior developers need too much management from someone who knows code.

Specialist vs. Generalist

SaaS Specialist

• Has built multiple SaaS products
• Understands subscriptions, authentication, multi-tenancy
• Knows common patterns and best practices
• Best for: SaaS products (obviously)

Generalist

• Can build many types of applications
• May not know SaaS-specific patterns
• Might suggest overcomplicated solutions
• Best for: Custom internal tools, unique products

For SaaS founders: Always prefer someone who has built SaaS before. They'll make better decisions and move faster.

Step 2: Where to Find Good Developers

Location matters less than you'd think. Many of my best partnerships are with founders I've never met in person.

Best Places to Find Developers

1. Referrals from Other Founders ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

• Where: Founder communities, masterminds, local meetups
• Ask: "Who built your app? Would you hire them again?"
• Why it works: Pre-vetted by someone in your situation

2. Specialized Networks ⭐⭐⭐⭐

• MicroConf Connect (bootstrapped SaaS)
• Indie Hackers
• SaaS-specific Slack/Discord communities
• Why it works: Developers here understand the business side

3. Developer-First Companies ⭐⭐⭐⭐

• Agencies/freelancers specializing in SaaS for non-technical founders
• Usually more expensive but worth it
• Why it works: Experienced with your exact situation

4. LinkedIn ⭐⭐⭐

• Search: "SaaS developer" + "non-technical founders"
• Look at their posts—do they understand business?
• Why it works: You can see their thought process and network

5. GitHub ⭐⭐

• Look for developers with active projects
• Check their code quality (even if you can't read it—see tips below)
• Why it works: See their actual work

Where NOT to Look

❌ Fiverr

• Fine for $50 logo designs
• Terrible for $30K products
• You get what you pay for

❌ Upwork (for full projects)

• Race to the bottom on price
• Quality is wildly inconsistent
• Better for small tasks, not full MVPs

❌ Your friend's cousin who "knows computers"

• Unless they're a professional developer with SaaS experience
• Friendship + money = disaster waiting to happen

❌ Dev shops in certain countries solely because they're cheap

• Good developers exist everywhere
• But choosing based only on low hourly rate = problems
• Communication, time zones, quality all matter

Step 3: Screening Questions (No Technical Knowledge Required)

You don't need to understand code to ask smart questions. Here are the questions that reveal whether a developer is right for you.

Round 1: Initial Screening (Email/Form)

Question 1: "Have you built SaaS products for non-technical founders before?"

Good answer: "Yes, I've worked with X non-technical founders. Here are some examples: [links]"

Red flag: "I can build anything!" or vague non-answer

Question 2: "Can you provide 2-3 references from non-technical founders you've worked with?"

Good answer: Gives you names and contact info immediately

Red flag: Hesitates, makes excuses, or only offers technical references

Question 3: "What's your process for working with someone who doesn't code?"

Good answer: Describes clear communication, weekly demos, avoiding jargon, etc.

Red flag: Assumes you'll just "figure it out" or uses lots of technical terms

Round 2: Video Call

Question 4: "Walk me through a project you built for someone similar to me."

Listen for:

• Do they explain the business problem it solved?
• Do they talk about the founder's goals, not just features?
• Can they explain technical decisions in plain English?

Red flags:

• Only talks about technology choices
• Can't explain why they made certain decisions
• Uses jargon without explaining

Question 5: "What questions do you have about my project?"

Good developers ask:

• "Who are your target customers?"
• "What problem does this solve for them?"
• "What's your budget and timeline?"
• "Have you validated there's demand?"

Red flags if they ask:

• Only about technical specs
• Nothing at all (they should be curious!)
• For full payment upfront

Question 6: "If I had to launch in 8 weeks, what would you build?"

Good answer:

• Suggests starting smaller than your full vision
• Asks what the core value is
• Discusses trade-offs clearly

Red flag:

• Promises to build everything
• Doesn't ask about priorities
• Unrealistic timeline promises

Question 7: "What happens if you get hit by a bus?"

(Yes, really ask this!)

Good answer:

• Code is in a shared repository you have access to
• Documentation exists
• Another developer could take over

Red flag:

• Defensive reaction
• No backup plan
• Code stays on their machine

Round 3: References

Always call at least 2 references. Email isn't enough—you need to hear tone and follow-up questions.

Questions to ask references:

"Would you hire them again?"

• This is the most important question
• If they hesitate, that's your answer

"What was the communication like?"

• Daily? Weekly? Did they proactively update you?
• Did they explain things clearly?

"Were there any surprises with timeline or budget?"

• Every project has some surprises
• How did they handle them?

"What would you change if you could do it again?"

• Tells you what could have been better
• See if those issues matter to you

"Can I see the final product?"

• Use it yourself if it's public
• Does it work well? Is it fast? Does it feel professional?

Step 4: Evaluating Technical Quality (Without Knowing Code)

You can evaluate code quality without reading code. Here's how:

Look at Their Portfolio

Green flags:

• ✅ Products are live and working
• ✅ Sites load fast (under 2 seconds)
• ✅ Mobile-friendly
• ✅ Professional design (even if simple)
• ✅ No obvious bugs when you click around

Red flags:

• 🚩 Sites load slowly
• 🚩 Broken links or errors
• 🚩 Looks unprofessional or outdated
• 🚩 Only shows screenshots, nothing live

Check Their GitHub (If They Have One)

Even non-technical people can spot patterns:

Good signs:

• Regular activity (commits every week/month)
• Clear README files explaining what projects do
• Other developers have "starred" their projects
• They contribute to open source

Concerning signs:

• No activity in years
• Messy, uncommented code (looks chaotic even if you can't read it)
• No documentation

Pro tip: Ask a developer friend to spend 10 minutes reviewing their GitHub. Worth the favor.

Ask About Their Stack

You don't need to know what these mean, but ask: "What technology stack would you use for my project?"

Modern, safe choices for SaaS:

• React/Next.js + Node.js + PostgreSQL
• Vue.js + Node.js + PostgreSQL
• Ruby on Rails + PostgreSQL
• Python/Django + PostgreSQL

Question marks (ask why they chose these):

• PHP (can be fine, but ask why not modern stack)
• MongoDB (can be fine, but PostgreSQL is more common for SaaS)
• Custom frameworks they built themselves

Red flags:

• Can't explain their choice
• Defensive when you ask questions
• Uses different stack for every project (lack of focus)

Request a Paid Trial Project

Before committing to a full MVP build, do a small paid project:

1-2 Week Trial ($2,000-$5,000):

• Design and spec out one core feature
• Build a simple prototype or proof-of-concept
• You see: How they communicate, quality of work, timeline accuracy

What you're evaluating:

• Did they deliver on time?
• Was the quality good?
• Did they communicate proactively?
• Can you actually use what they built?
• Did they explain technical decisions?

If they refuse a trial: Red flag. Good developers are confident in their work.

Step 5: Contract and Payment Structure

Never start without a clear contract. Here's what it must include:

Critical Contract Terms

1. Scope of Work

• Detailed list of features to be built
• What's explicitly NOT included
• Process for handling changes

2. Timeline and Milestones

• Delivery dates for each milestone
• What you'll receive at each milestone
• Payment tied to completed milestones

3. Payment Terms

• Never pay 100% upfront
• Good structure: 25% to start, 25% at milestone 1, 25% at milestone 2, 25% at completion
• Or: Monthly payments for ongoing work

4. IP and Code Ownership

• YOU own all code and intellectual property
• Must be explicitly stated
• Code must be in a repository you control

5. Confidentiality

• Non-disclosure agreement
• Protects your business idea and data

6. What Happens If Things Go Wrong

• Termination clause
• How to handle missed deadlines
• Process for resolving disputes

7. Post-Launch Support

• How long will they fix bugs for free?
• What happens if something breaks?
• Cost of ongoing maintenance

Red Flags in Contracts

🚩 Requires 100% payment upfront 🚩 Vague deliverables ("fully functional app") 🚩 No IP ownership transfer clause 🚩 No cancellation/termination clause 🚩 Extremely long timeline with no milestones 🚩 They keep code rights unless you pay extra

Step 6: Managing the Relationship

You hired someone good. Now make sure the project succeeds.

Weekly Check-Ins (Minimum)

What to cover:

• Demo of what was built this week
• Progress vs. timeline
• Any blockers or issues
• Plan for next week

Red flags:

• They skip check-ins
• No tangible progress to show
• Always "almost done" but never actually done
• Excuses instead of solutions

Stay Involved Without Micromanaging

Do this:

• ✅ Test features as they're built
• ✅ Ask questions when something's unclear
• ✅ Provide timely feedback
• ✅ Make decisions quickly when needed

Don't do this:

• ❌ Check in daily asking for updates
• ❌ Question every technical decision
• ❌ Change requirements constantly
• ❌ Disappear for weeks then demand status

When Things Go Wrong

Scenario 1: They're behind schedule

• Ask why and what the plan is to catch up
• Acceptable reasons: Unexpected complexity, dependencies on third parties
• Unacceptable reasons: Took on too many projects, didn't start yet

Scenario 2: The quality isn't there

• Be specific about what's wrong
• Give them a chance to fix it
• If it doesn't improve, consider terminating

Scenario 3: Communication breaks down

• Address it immediately—don't let it fester
• Set clear expectations for response times
• If they can't or won't communicate, that's a deal breaker

Scenario 4: Developer disappears completely

• Follow the 48-hour recovery plan for when your developer left mid-project
• Secure all code and assets immediately
• Get a technical assessment of what you have
• Decide whether to salvage or rebuild

Scenario 5: You want to end the relationship

• Review your contract termination clause
• Ensure you have all code and access
• Pay for completed work
• Part professionally—you never know when paths will cross again

Common Questions

"How do I know if the code quality is good if I can't read code?"

You can't directly, but you can use proxies:

• Does it work reliably?
• Is it fast?
• Do other developers give positive feedback?
• Can it be easily modified and expanded?
• Are there automated tests?

Ask them: "How do you ensure code quality?" Good answer includes testing, code reviews, documentation.

"Should I hire locally or remote?"

Remote is fine—most of my best client relationships are remote. What matters:

• Timezone overlap for calls
• Strong communication skills
• Reliable internet
• Professional work setup

Don't default to local just because it feels safer.

"How do I know if they're padding hours?"

For hourly work:

• Ask for weekly time summaries
• Request git commits (shows actual work done)
• Check progress matches hours claimed

Better: Fixed-price milestones. You pay for results, not hours.

"What if I can't afford $75-150/hour?"

Options:

1. Start smaller—build less to fit budget
2. Revenue-based financing (Pipe, Clearco)
3. Find a technical co-founder (equity instead of cash)
4. Save up before starting

Don't compromise on developer quality to save money. It costs more long-term.

"Should I sign an NDA before talking to developers?"

Most experienced developers won't sign NDAs before discussing a project. Here's why:

• Ideas are common; execution is rare
• They've seen hundreds of ideas
• They don't have time to steal your idea

Instead: Share enough to get a quote, but not your secret sauce yet. Once hired, include NDA in contract.

Your Hiring Checklist

Use this as you evaluate candidates:

Minimum Requirements

• Built SaaS products before
• Can provide 2-3 references
• Explains things in plain English
• Asks about your business and customers
• Proposes realistic timeline
• Contract includes IP ownership transfer
• Payment structure has milestones

Nice to Have

• Has worked with non-technical founders specifically
• Active GitHub or portfolio
• Responds within 24 hours
• Based in compatible timezone
• Offers post-launch support

Deal Breakers

• Can't provide references
• Requires 100% payment upfront
• Promises unrealistic timeline
• Defensive when asked questions
• Poor communication during hiring process
• No clear contract terms

Next Steps

You now know exactly how to find and hire a developer when you're non-technical.

If you're ready to start looking:

1. Create a simple 1-2 page specification
2. Post in founder communities asking for referrals
3. Interview at least 3 candidates
4. Check references thoroughly
5. Start with a trial project

If you want guidance: I work specifically with non-technical founders, helping them turn ideas into successful SaaS products. Most of my clients stay with me for years as I become their ongoing technical partner.

Book a free 30-minute discovery call and I'll help you figure out exactly what you need and what it should cost.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Related Guides

• I Have a SaaS Idea But I'm Not Technical: Complete Action Plan
• How Much Does It Cost to Build a SaaS in 2025?
• Developer Left Mid-Project? 48-Hour Recovery Plan