Questions buyers ask before hiring a software company

SharpQuest is a software company in Troy, Michigan. We offer custom software development, application modernization, mobile app development, AI integration and IT staff augmentation.

Yes. We work with startups, small and mid-sized businesses, and established companies.

Our clients range from growing startups that need a custom application to larger companies looking to modernize systems, automate processes, integrate software platforms, or add new capabilities.

New software development projects typically start at around $30,000 for work performed by our Michigan-based team. For organizations that already have an application and need ongoing enhancements, maintenance, or support, we also offer monthly support plans starting at 10 hours per month.

Send us a few details through the contact form and we will reply within two business days to set up a short call. The first consultation is free: we talk through your goals, then propose next steps and an estimate.

You do not need a detailed specification or requirements document before speaking with us.

The most helpful things to bring are:

• The business problem you are trying to solve
• Who will use the software
• How the process works today (spreadsheets, an existing application, paper-based processes, or an off-the-shelf product)
• Any systems that need to integrate with the solution
• Any important deadlines or business milestones
• A list of must-have features and nice-to-have features

If you are looking to add AI capabilities to an existing application or want us to take over the maintenance and development of a system, please let us know whether the source code is available. This information can significantly affect the available options, timeline, and cost.

A budget is helpful but not required. If you have a target budget, share it with us and we'll discuss realistic options. If you don't have a budget in mind, we can still provide recommendations and an estimate.

After the consultation, we take what we learned and turn it into a written project scope and cost estimate at no charge.

For smaller projects (typically 8 to 12 weeks of development), you can expect an estimate within five business days.

For medium and larger projects, the estimation process usually takes three to four weeks and may include a few short follow-up meetings to clarify requirements, priorities, and technical considerations.

For larger or more complex initiatives, we often recommend a paid discovery phase. This engagement typically provides:

• Wireframes or solution concepts
• Detailed requirements documentation
• A clear in-scope and out-of-scope definition
• A project estimate and budget range
• A high-level delivery roadmap

Once you review the findings and recommendations, you can decide whether to move forward with implementation. There is no obligation to continue beyond the discovery process.

See the phases of a software consulting engagement for how this fits together.

Most onshore projects (our Michigan team) start at around $30,000 and grow with the scope: the number of users and roles, integrations with other systems, and mobile or AI features. Offshore and hybrid projects are quoted per project. After a free consultation and a short discovery, we give you a written estimate.

We work on a fixed-price, milestone-based, or time-and-materials (hourly) basis, depending on the project and how well the requirements are defined.

• Fixed-price projects for well-defined scopes and deliverables
• Milestone-based projects with a set price for each phase or stage of work
• Time-and-materials engagements for projects that evolve over time, ongoing enhancements, support, maintenance, or staff augmentation

In some cases, a project may use a combination of these approaches.

Regardless of the engagement model, every project begins with a conversation to understand your goals. We then provide a written scope and estimate so you can evaluate options before making a decision. The initial consultation and estimate are free; for larger or more complex projects we may recommend a paid discovery phase first.

See how software consulting fees are structured for typical starting prices.

Yes. Small changes and improvements to an existing system usually fit a monthly support plan, starting at 10 hours a month. See our support plans.

It depends on the scope. After discovery you get a timeline with milestones, and you see working software at regular demos along the way, not only at the end. An AI pilot can take as little as two weeks.

We need one person on your side who can answer questions and approve each step, usually a few hours a week. You see working software at regular demos and can change direction between sprints.

You would know early. We track progress throughout the project and regularly demonstrate completed work, so potential delays are identified in days or weeks rather than months.

The frequency of reviews and demonstrations depends on the size and nature of the project. Many projects use two-week sprints, while others may use different delivery cycles based on what makes the most sense for the engagement.

If something takes longer than planned, we explain why, discuss the available options, and update the plan with you. Depending on the situation, that may mean adjusting the schedule, moving lower-priority features to a later phase, or changing the team structure.

The impact on cost depends on the engagement model. On a fixed-price project, delays generally do not increase the agreed project price unless the scope changes, which we agree with you before any work on it starts. On time-and-materials or staff augmentation engagements, project costs are based on the effort and resources used.

Our goal is to keep you informed, provide options, and avoid surprises throughout the project.

We measure success against the goals and requirements agreed upon at the start of the project.

Each feature includes clearly defined acceptance criteria that are reviewed and tested throughout development. You have opportunities to see and approve working software during project reviews and again during user acceptance testing before launch.

Success is not just about delivering software. It's also about solving the business problem that led to the project. Depending on the project, that may mean reducing manual effort, improving data accuracy, increasing productivity, streamlining workflows, or supporting business growth.

For example, the custom system we built for TKS Industrial helped support significant business growth, with purchase order volume increasing from $138 million to $263 million over a three-year period.

Yes. We take over applications built by other teams, and we modernize older systems such as VB6, Microsoft Access, .NET Framework, ASP.NET and Xamarin apps to modern .NET, Angular and .NET MAUI, often moving them to the cloud. See application modernization.

Yes. We add features such as document processing, search and chat over your own data, and workflow automation, using Azure OpenAI, OpenAI or Gemini. A pilot on your data can be ready in about two weeks; a full integration usually takes eight weeks or more. See AI integration.

To add AI to an existing system, we need either its source code or a well-known platform that allows customization through APIs or extensions, such as Dynamics 365 Sales, Salesforce or SAP.

Our team is in Troy, Michigan, and we deliver every project from there. We work with clients across the United States and have delivered projects for clients in the UK and Germany.

A project lead who manages the plan and the demos, plus direct access to the developers building your software. No chain of account managers.

Yes. Our IT staff augmentation service places experienced .NET, Angular, React and SQL Server developers in your team, working in your process and tools.

Ownership of the source code and intellectual property is set out in your contract with us. We agree on it before work starts, so you know exactly what you will own. At handover you get the source code, documentation and environment access your contract covers.

Yes, we sign your NDA, or use our mutual NDA, before you share project details.

Yes. We sign HIPAA business associate agreements, and for AI features you can use your own OpenAI or Gemini account under your own BAA.

In your own Azure subscription, where your IT team keeps control of networking and access, or in ours. We also build on Amazon AWS.

We stay on. Monthly support plans (Essential, Professional and Premium) cover bug fixes, security updates and improvements, with response times from two business days down to the same day. See our support plans.

What we hand over (code, documentation and deployment setup) is agreed in your contract and depends on your engagement model. We can also help your developers get up to speed.