Frequently Asked Questions

What services do you offer?

Minute Long Solutions builds and ships custom software for startups and established teams:

• Web applications (marketing sites, dashboards, SaaS products)
• Native and cross-platform mobile apps (iOS and Android)
• Full-stack engineering and system integrations
• Technical consulting, architecture reviews, and discovery
• Launch support, maintenance, and iterative product work

Do you work with specific technologies?

We specialize in modern, hireable stacks and pick tools that fit your product — not a one-size-fits-all template:

• Frontend: React, Vue, Angular, and server-rendered options when appropriate
• Backend: Python (Flask/FastAPI), Node.js, and related APIs
• Mobile: Swift / SwiftUI, Kotlin, and carefully scoped cross-platform approaches
• Data: SQL and NoSQL stores, auth, payments, and cloud hosting

Who do you typically work with?

Founders validating an MVP, product owners at growing companies, and teams that need a reliable engineering partner without a full in-house mobile or full-stack bench. Engagements usually start with a free consultation or a paid discovery session.

Native vs cross-platform — how do you decide?

We recommend based on budget, timeline, UX needs, and whether you must ship on one platform first. Native is often best when platform polish or deep device APIs matter; cross-platform can be right when a single codebase clearly serves both stores. The choice is documented in discovery before build starts.

How does the project process work?

1. Consultation — goals, constraints, and fit
2. Discovery / requirements — scope, risks, and success metrics
3. Proposal & agreement — deliverables, milestones, and fees
4. Build & QA — iterative demos with staging access
5. Launch & handover — production deploy, docs, and support window

You always know what milestone is in progress and what “done” means before the next invoice.

What is your development methodology?

We work in short Agile cycles with:

• Sprint-style planning and prioritized backlogs
• Continuous integration where the stack supports it
• Demoable increments — not vague percentage-complete updates
• Regular feedback checkpoints with a named point of contact

How do we communicate during a project?

Expect a shared channel (email plus a project workspace such as Slack or similar when agreed), scheduled check-ins, and written updates at milestone boundaries. Response windows are defined in the project agreement; typical business hours are Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM EST.

What happens if we need changes mid-project?

Small clarifications inside the agreed scope are normal. Material new features or scope changes go through a written change request: impact on timeline and budget, your approval, then an updated milestone plan. That keeps delivery predictable and avoids silent scope creep.

Who owns the product and source code after I pay?

Ownership of custom client deliverables is stated in your project agreement. In a typical engagement, you receive the rights to the custom work product created for you once agreed fees for those deliverables are paid. Details are always in writing before build starts — see also our Terms of Service (Intellectual Property).

Read Terms of Service

What about open-source and third-party components?

Third-party libraries, SDKs, fonts, and open-source packages remain under their own licenses. We document major dependencies and prefer well-maintained, commercially friendly licenses. You are responsible for complying with those licenses in production use.

Do you keep any rights to tools or frameworks you reuse?

Yes. Pre-existing Minute Long Solutions branding, methodologies, internal tools, libraries, and know-how stay with us unless we expressly assign them in writing. That does not prevent you from owning the custom application we build for you under the agreement.

How long does a typical project take?

It depends on scope, platforms, integrations, and how quickly feedback arrives. As rough guidance:

• Focused MVP: often on the order of weeks to a few months
• Standard multi-feature app: commonly several months
• Enterprise / complex systems: custom schedule after discovery

We publish a written milestone plan before major build work. Use our timeline estimator for a ballpark phase breakdown, then confirm dates in discovery.

Open the timeline estimator

What usually drives the schedule?

• Scope size and number of platforms (iOS, Android, web)
• Third-party APIs, payments, auth, and compliance requirements
• Design readiness and how fast decisions/feedback come back
• QA depth, store review, and launch/marketing coordination

Can you work to a hard launch date?

Yes, when the date is realistic for the scoped work. We will either fit a reduced MVP to the date, or recommend moving the date — we will not silently promise an impossible schedule. Hard dates should be called out in discovery.

How do you ensure data security?

• Encryption in transit (HTTPS/TLS) and at rest where the stack supports it
• Least-privilege access and secrets kept out of source control
• Secure development practices (auth, input validation, dependency hygiene)
• Staging separate from production when the engagement includes hosting setup

Can you support regulated or SOX-sensitive environments?

When an engagement requires it, we can implement SOX-ready controls such as documented change management, access reviews, audit-friendly logging, and clear separation of duties in the delivery process. We do not claim blanket certification for every project — requirements are scoped in discovery and the agreement.

Who hosts the app and who is responsible for production data?

Hosting can be on your cloud accounts, ours, or a managed provider — as agreed. Operational responsibility for production data, backups, and uptime is defined in the project or maintenance agreement so ownership is clear after launch.

How is pricing determined?

Pricing reflects:

• Project scope and complexity
• Timeline and platform requirements
• Integrations, compliance, and staffing needs
• Technology choices agreed in discovery

What are your starting rates?

Projects typically start at $5,000. Published guidance:

• Discovery session: $250 (credited toward a signed project)
• Hourly consulting: $150/hr
• MVP package: $8,000 – $25,000
• Standard app / product: $25,000 – $75,000
• Enterprise / complex: custom quote after discovery

See the full pricing page or use the project cost estimator for a ballpark range before a formal estimate.

View full pricing · Project cost estimator

Fixed price vs hourly — which do you use?

Scoped product work is usually milestone-based (fixed or capped per milestone) once discovery clarifies deliverables. Hourly consulting fits advisory work, audits, or open-ended exploration. We recommend the model that matches how clear the scope is — and put it in the proposal.

What are your payment terms and deposits?

• Milestone-based invoices tied to demoable deliverables
• Typical invoice terms: Net 30 unless the agreement says otherwise
• An initial deposit or first milestone is common before build starts
• Multiple payment methods as listed in the proposal

What is usually not included in a ballpark estimate?

• Ongoing app store fees, cloud hosting, and third-party SaaS bills
• Paid media, ASO campaigns, and brand photography you source separately
• Major scope added after kickoff (handled via change request)
• Long-term support beyond the agreed warranty or maintenance package

What support do you provide after launch?

Every engagement includes a defined handover. Ongoing support is scoped separately or as a maintenance package:

• Business-hours support (Monday–Friday, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM EST)
• Emergency response path when agreed in a maintenance plan
• Bug fixes within an agreed warranty window after launch
• Optional monitoring, dependency updates, and small enhancements

Do you offer maintenance packages?

Yes. Plans typically mix monitoring, security and dependency updates, bug fixes, and a monthly hours budget for small features. Exact inclusions and SLAs are written into the maintenance agreement.

Is there a warranty after go-live?

Most projects include a short post-launch warranty for defects in agreed deliverables (duration in the project agreement). New features, third-party outages, and changes you make outside the delivered scope are not covered by that warranty.