What to prepare before you ask for an app quote

Why preparation changes the quote

A developer prices what they can see. A vague idea gets a high quote with a safety margin; a clear one-page brief gets a tighter price and a realistic timeline. You do not need technical words, just answers to the questions below.

1. The goal in one sentence

For example: "Customers book a car wash at home and pay in the app." If you cannot say it in one sentence yet, that is the first thing to settle.

2. Who uses the app

List every type of user: customers, staff, drivers, admins. Each role usually means its own screens and permissions, which is one of the biggest cost drivers.

3. The must-have flows for version one

Write the three to five things a user must be able to do on launch day, in order. Everything else goes on a "later" list. Nokta, a ride-hailing and delivery MVP I built, focuses on one loop: pick a place, see the price, and track the driver live. Everything else waits.

4. Apps you like (and why)

Two or three apps with a screenshot and one line on what you like about each. It saves pages of description and avoids surprises in design.

5. Languages and content

Arabic only, English only, or both? Who writes the texts and provides the images? Bilingual from day one is cheaper than adding a language later.

6. Payments, maps and other integrations

Note which outside services you need: online payment, maps, SMS codes, WhatsApp messages, invoices or a system you already use. If you already have accounts with any of them, say so.

7. Budget range and deadline

A range is enough, and a date with the reason behind it (an event, a season, an investor meeting). It lets the developer suggest what fits instead of quoting everything.

Accounts that should be in your name

Before work starts, open or plan to own the Apple and Google developer accounts, the domain, and the server account. The code repository should be yours too. Then you never depend on one person to update your own app.

Send me these seven answers on WhatsApp and I will reply with a scope and a price range, then a fixed price after a free 30-minute call.