Why choosing the wrong software company is so expensive
Hiring software development is one of the most asymmetric investments that exists. If you hire well, you get a tool that makes your company grow. If you hire poorly, you can lose between S/ 20,000 and S/ 150,000, months of work and, even worse, have to start from scratch with another supplier.
The Peruvian market has exceptional companies and also many that promise what they cannot deliver. The 7 questions in this article help you distinguish them before signing.
Question 1: Can I speak to a previous client of yours on a similar project?
This is the most valuable question. A company with a real track record has no problem connecting you with a previous client so you can ask directly: Was the project delivered on time? What was the communication like during development? Does the software work as expected? What would you change about the process?
If the provider hesitates or only offers written testimonials on their website, it is a red flag.
Question 2: Who is going to work on my project and what is their experience?
Many software companies sell with a senior team and deliver with a junior team. You have the right to know who will build your project: names, years of experience, technologies they have worked with, and examples of similar projects they have completed.
If the supplier is unable or unwilling to provide this level of detail, it is a sign that the equipment may not be what they presented.
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Question 3: How are you going to document the project and what happens if I want to change your supplier?
The source code being yours is a basic condition, but not sufficient. You also need technical documentation that allows another team to understand and continue the project without starting from scratch. Ask explicitly about the documentation deliverable and whether it includes a database diagram, deploy guide, and API documentation.
A supplier who builds well is not afraid of this question. The one who builds to generate dependency, yes.
4 additional questions that reveal a lot about the provider
In addition to the previous three, these questions give you valuable information about the maturity of the team.
- What methodology do you use for development? (Agile, sprints, partial deliveries vs. single final delivery).
- How do you handle a requirement change mid-project? Does it have an additional cost and how is it calculated?
- What exactly does the post-delivery warranty period include and how long does it last?
- What happens if the project takes longer than estimated? Is there a penalty or just an explanation?
Signs that distinguish a serious company from one that is not
Just as there are questions that reveal solvency, there are behaviors that are early warning signs.
If you already know you need custom software and want to understand the costs, read our article on how much it costs to develop custom software in Peru in 2026
- They promise everything without asking questions about your business before listing.
- The price arrives in less than 24 hours without having had any meeting.
- They cannot show examples of similar completed projects.
- The contract does not specify deliverables, milestones or delivery date.
- The proposal does not distinguish between development cost and maintenance cost.
- The budget is significantly lower than the rest of the proposals (with no clear explanation as to why).
