Your developer doesn't suck. You're just hiring wrong.

I've been watching non-technical founders hire developers for 16 years. Most of the time the problem isn't the developer. It's that you picked the wrong type of developer for what you actually need.

People think "a developer is a developer" and the only difference is price. That's like saying a taxi driver and a tour guide are the same because they both drive cars.

Here's how it really works:

1. The Code Typist ($25–50/hour)

This person only writes code. You tell them exactly what to build and they build it. That's it. They won't tell you if your idea is dumb. They won't suggest a better way.

Works if: you can write very detailed specs, you know what you're doing, or you have someone technical guiding you and/or product experience.

Fails if: you give them half-baked instructions and expect them to fill in the blanks. They'll build exactly what you said, and you'll be upset when it isn't what you wanted.

2. The Technical Partner ($100–200/hour)

This person saves you from yourself. You say "let users upload videos" and they'll say "ok but that's going to cost a fortune, are you sure?" They'll push back on bad ideas, explain tradeoffs, and keep you from wasting money.

Works if: you're open to feedback and collaboration.

Fails if: you just want someone to shut up and code.

3. The Turnkey CTO ($200–500/hour or equity)

You don't tell this person what to build. You tell them the problem you're solving and they figure out the product. They'll talk to users, make the big calls, and own the whole thing.

Works if: you want results, trust their judgment, and don't want to manage the details.

Fails if: you can't actually let go and want to approve every single decision.

The common screw-up:

Founders hire a Code Typist when they really need a Partner or Turnkey CTO. Then they're shocked when the dev doesn't make strategic decisions. Or they hire a Turnkey CTO when they wanted a Code Typist, and then rage when that person keeps making decisions without asking.

Quick test:

• Can you write a 10-page detailed spec? If no, don't hire a Code Typist.
• Do you have 15+ hours a week to manage the project? If no, don't hire a Code Typist.
• Do you know what features your MVP actually needs? If no, you probably need the Turnkey CTO.
• Will you lose it if someone builds something slightly different from what you pictured? If yes, don't hire a Turnkey CTO.

Here's the truth:

The $25/hour dev becomes the $75/hour dev real fast when you have to rebuild everything twice. The $200/hour dev is cheap if they ship the right thing the first time.

Stop asking "what's your rate?" Start asking "what decisions will you make for me?" That's the real difference. The more decisions they can handle without you, the higher the cost. But usually also the cheaper in the long run.

Developers don't suck. You just hired a taxi driver when you needed a tour guide.