How we work
Five steps. No mysteries. Here's what happens between "I have an idea" and "it's live."
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We talk
You tell us what you need. We ask a lot of questions. What are you building? Who is it for? What does "done" look like? We look at your existing systems, your budget, your timeline. No slide decks, no jargon. Just a real conversation about the problem.
1-2 calls
to know if we're a fitDirect access
talk to the person who builds itWhat affects the price
Most agencies won't show you this. They'd rather quote after the first call when you're already invested. We think you should know what drives cost before you even reach out.
Projects typically range from $10K to $500K depending on scope. We build with open-source tools (React, Node.js, PostgreSQL) so you're never locked into proprietary technology or stuck with us as the only team that can maintain it.
User roles
A single user type is simple. Admin + customer + vendor with different permissions adds complexity fast.Integrations
Every external system (Stripe, QuickBooks, Xero, third-party APIs) adds development and testing time.Mobile app
Adding a mobile app on top of web roughly doubles the frontend work, even with cross-platform tools.Compliance
HIPAA, PIPEDA, PCI, SOC 2. Regulatory requirements add architecture constraints and audit work.Design complexity
Simple forms and tables are fast. Rich interactive UIs, animations, and custom components take longer.Data migration
Moving data from an old system into a new one is often the most underestimated part of a project.The costs other agencies don't mention until the invoice
We surface these upfront so your budget is realistic from day one. No surprise line items after launch.
Want to know what your project would cost?
Tell us what you're building. We'll give you an honest estimate within a few days.
Get an estimateHow you pay
Two models. Pick the one that fits.
Fixed price
You know the cost before we start. We figure out the scope together, agree on a number, and that's what you pay. No hourly tracking, no surprise invoices at the end.
Most projects land between $50K and $150K, with larger builds up to $500K. $10K minimum for first engagements. Timeline is usually 3-9 months.
Hourly retainer
Bug fixes, new features, security updates, someone to call when something breaks at 11pm. You get a team that already knows your codebase. No re-onboarding every time you need something.
Billed hourly, monthly cycle. Most of our client relationships have been running for years on this model.
Typical ranges by project type
Marketing website
$10K - $30K
4-8 weeksWeb application (MVP)
$30K - $80K
2-4 monthsWeb application (full)
$50K - $200K
3-6 monthsMobile app (cross-platform)
$40K - $120K
3-5 monthsSaaS platform
$80K - $250K
4-9 monthsEnterprise / complex system
$150K - $500K
6-12 monthsAI feature integration
$15K - $80K
2-8 weeksWhat we build with
Proven tools, not trendy ones. Here's what's in the toolbox.
React, Next.js, MUI, TypeScript
Next.js for public-facing apps. React + Vite for internal tools where SEO doesn't matter.
Node.js, Express, REST & GraphQL
TypeScript everywhere. One language across the stack means fewer bugs and faster work.
React Native, iOS, Android
React Native for cross-platform. Native when the app demands it.
AWS, CI/CD, Docker
AWS by default. Automated deploys and monitoring from day one.
Claude, Gemini, Grok, OpenRouter, CUDA
LLM integration, computer vision, RAG systems, and custom model work. API layer through to GPU kernels.
Figma, component libraries
Design systems that translate directly into code.
“Cloudowl’s pragmatic “test, analyze, optimize” process lets the data drive the decisions while still keeping a firm grasp on positive user experience and the big-picture financial goals of the organization.”
Gerald Pagdato
COO, MixximizeGot a project in mind?
Tell us what you're thinking. We'll tell you if we can help, how long it might take, and what it'll cost. No commitment.