Your App, Built — $12,000
You don't need a dev shop. You need someone who can take your idea and make it real — faster and cheaper than you thought possible.
Top 1% Global Designer on UxcelFull-Stack Developer
What This Is
A complete web or mobile application built from scratch. Not a landing page. Not a website with some forms. A real piece of software that does something useful.
This could be:
- A customer portal for your business
- A booking/reservation system
- An internal tool that replaces spreadsheets
- A web app you sell as a product
- A mobile app for your customers
What You Get
- Custom application built on modern tech (Next.js, React Native, or native web)
- User authentication and accounts (if needed)
- Database design and backend infrastructure
- Admin dashboard to manage your data
- API integrations (payments, email, third-party services)
- Mobile-responsive (web apps) or app store deployment (mobile apps)
- Documentation so you're not dependent on me forever
- 60 days of post-launch support included
How It Works
- 01
Week 1
Discovery & Planning
We map out exactly what you need. What does the app do? Who uses it? What are the must-haves vs. nice-to-haves? I translate your idea into a technical spec. You approve it.
- 02
Weeks 2-4
Build
I build the core functionality. You get weekly updates and access to a staging environment where you can click through the work in progress. We catch misunderstandings early.
- 03
Week 5
Refine
Polish, bug fixes, edge cases. The app gets real use. Things that seemed right in the spec get adjusted based on how it actually feels.
- 04
Week 6
Launch
Deployment to production. Your app is live. I monitor for issues, fix anything that comes up, and hand over documentation.
Six weeks from "I have an idea" to "people are using my app."
Typical Benefits
Your Idea Becomes Real
Not a pitch deck. Not a prototype. A working product.
You Own It
Full ownership of code and infrastructure. No licensing fees, no vendor lock-in.
You Can Iterate
This isn't a one-and-done. Launch version 1, learn from users, build version 2.
You Stop Waiting
No more "someday I'll find a developer." It's happening.
Does This Work for Me?
Is my idea too complex?
Probably not. Most app ideas are simpler than they sound. You describe it as "like Uber but for X" or "basically Airtable meets Y." Underneath, it's usually: users, data, forms, some logic, maybe payments. I've built that dozens of times. If your idea genuinely is complex — real-time video, AI model training, hardware integration — I'll tell you. I'm not going to take your money and then struggle for six months.
Is my idea too simple?
Simple is good. Simple ships. The best first version of an app does one thing well. You can always add features later. The mistake is trying to build everything at once.
I don't have a technical background — can I still do this?
You don't need to know how to code. You need to know: - What problem you're solving - Who you're solving it for - What success looks like I handle the technical decisions. I explain things in plain language. You stay in control without needing to understand the implementation.
What if I need changes after launch?
You will. Every app needs changes after launch. 60 days of support is included. After that, I offer monthly retainers for ongoing development. Or you can hire someone else — the code is documented and you own it.
How do I know you can actually build this?
Fair question. Here's what I've built: - GPTBoss — AI startup exploring agent workflows, multiple product launches - skani — API design and AI integration - mkcmd — developer tooling and design systems - Full e-commerce systems, booking platforms, customer portals I'm not guessing. I've shipped this stuff before.
Is This Worth It?
Shouldn't I hire a dev shop or agency?
You could. Here's what that typically costs: - Dev shop quote for a custom app: $50,000-$200,000 - Timeline: 3-9 months - You get: a project manager, junior devs doing most of the work, weekly status meetings, change orders that cost extra Or: - My quote: $12,000 - Timeline: 6 weeks - You get: me, doing the work, direct communication, no overhead Agencies have their place — if you're a funded startup building a complex platform, you might need a team. If you're a business that needs a custom tool or a first version of a product, I'm the better fit.
Can't I use a no-code tool?
Maybe. No-code is great for: - Internal tools that only you use - Simple CRUD apps - Prototypes to test an idea No-code breaks down when: - You need custom logic that no-code doesn't support - You need the app to scale - You want full control over the code - You want to sell the product someday (investors/buyers want code you own) If no-code works for your use case, I'll tell you. I'd rather you spend $500 on Bubble than $12,000 on custom dev if Bubble does the job.
What if the app fails?
Most apps fail. Not because the code is bad, but because: - Nobody wants what you're building - You can't reach the people who want it - You run out of money before you figure it out I can help you build something that works. I can't guarantee people will use it. Here's the honest framing: $12,000 gets you a real product to test. If it works, you iterate. If it doesn't, you learned something without spending six figures.
Is $12,000 enough? I've heard apps cost $100k+
They can. It depends on scope. A social network with real-time messaging, video calls, AI recommendations, and a mobile app? Yeah, that's $100k+. A booking system for your tour company? A customer portal for your clients? A simple SaaS tool that does one thing? $12,000 is realistic. I'll scope your project honestly. If it's bigger than $12,000, I'll tell you before we start.
What will people think of my app?
They'll judge it on whether it works, not how much you paid or who built it. A $12,000 app that solves their problem beats a $100,000 app that doesn't.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a web app and a mobile app?
A web app runs in a browser (like Gmail). A mobile app installs on your phone (like Instagram). Web apps are faster and cheaper to build. Mobile apps are better if you need offline access, push notifications, or app store presence. I build both — we'll figure out which you need.
Do I need to provide designs?
No. I handle design as part of the build. If you have designs already, great — we'll use them. If not, I'll create them.
Who owns the code?
You do. Full ownership, no licensing, no strings.
What about hosting and ongoing costs?
Depends on the app, but typically $20-100/month for hosting, database, and any third-party services (email, payments, etc.). I'll estimate this before we start.
What if I need more than $12,000 worth of work?
I'll scope the project upfront. If your MVP fits in $12,000, we do that. If you want more, we can discuss a larger scope or phased approach.
Do you offer payment plans?
25% upfront, 25% at midpoint, 50% on launch. If you need something different, let's talk.
What happens after the 60 days of support?
You're on your own, or we continue with a retainer. Most clients want ongoing support, but it's not required. The documentation and code handoff is designed to let you hire anyone.
Ready to build your app?
45 minutes. Tell me about your idea. I'll tell you if it fits in a $12,000 scope, what I'd recommend, and whether I'm the right person to build it. No hard sell.