Before you commit to a build
Compare the ways you could build your product before you commit to one
Before you sign a build contract, find out what your realistic options are. We lay out two to three build approaches with their trade-offs in cost, speed and lock-in, map every system the product has to connect to, flag the technical risks and give you an estimate based on all of it.
What you get
What’s included
Build approaches
Two to three viable ways to build the product, each with what it costs, how fast it reaches launch and what it makes harder later.
Integration map
Every outside system the product talks to, such as payment providers, booking tools, wearables or a CRM, with what each connection needs.
Technical risks
What could slow the build down or cause trouble later, ranked, with how to reduce each one.
Recommendation
The approach we'd choose in your position and why, explained in business terms.
Estimate
A build estimate for the recommended approach, based on the scope and integrations above.
A good fit if
- Non-technical founders comparing agency proposals that recommend different stacks
- Gyms and studios that need an app to work with their existing booking, payment or member systems
- Wellness and fitness products that depend on wearables, health data or AI features
- Founders unsure whether they need custom software at all
Not included
- Product scope or requirements. Bring them, or start with the scope document or PRD.
- Prototypes or proof-of-concept code
- Security audits or penetration testing
How it runs
From kickoff to handover
- Step 1
Requirements and constraints
We read your scope or requirements and learn your budget, timeline and the systems you already run.
- Step 2
Options and integrations
We work out the viable build approaches and check what each integration requires.
- Step 3
Risks and estimate
We rank the technical risks and estimate the recommended approach.
- Step 4
Walkthrough
We take you through the trade-offs so you can decide, or take the document to another team.
Questions
Questions about Technical discovery & architecture options
Won't you just recommend whatever you build in?
Every trade-off is written out, so you, a technical friend or another agency can check the reasoning. If an off-the-shelf platform fits better than a custom build, the document will say so.
What if I don't have requirements yet?
Discovery works best with at least a scope. Without one, the options end up too broad to compare. Start with the problem statement and MVP scope, or book the sprint, which includes architecture options.
Can you review a proposal or quote I already have?
Yes, send it. We'll compare its approach with the options we find and point out what it assumes, leaves out or prices differently.
Will I understand it if I'm not technical?
Yes. The trade-offs are written in business terms: cost, speed, lock-in and what each choice makes harder later. The technical detail is there for whoever builds it.
My product depends on an AI feature. Is this the right package?
It covers how the AI feature fits into the overall build. If the open question is whether the AI will work with your data at all, the AI/ML discovery under AI & Automation goes deeper on that.
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Ready to start Technical discovery & architecture options?
Tell us about your business. We'll confirm the scope and send you a start date.