How to Evaluate MVP Development Quotes: A Pricing Guide
Got quotes ranging from $5K to $100K for the same MVP? Here's what different price points actually buy you and how to know if you're getting a fair deal.
January 8, 2025 8 min read
The Quotes Make No Sense
You've talked to five agencies. You have quotes ranging from $8,000 to $95,000 for what you think is the same MVP.
Everyone says they'll deliver quality. Everyone claims they understand your vision. The pricing is all over the map and you have no framework for evaluating what's fair.
Here's what nobody tells you: you're not comparing apples to apples.
Those quotes represent fundamentally different approaches, quality levels, timelines, and risks. This guide breaks down what you actually get at different price points and how to evaluate whether a quote is fair for what you're building.
What $5K-$10K Actually Buys You
Let's start at the bottom. Ultra-low quotes come from somewhere.
What you're actually getting:
Offshore junior developers working on 3-5 projects simultaneously
Template-based builds with minimal customization
No project management beyond basic check-ins
Limited revisions or scope flexibility
You manage everything including design, decisions, and QA
Timeline: 4-8 weeks if everything goes perfectly
This price point works if you have technical skills and can manage the project yourself. You're basically hiring hands to execute your detailed specifications.
Stop planning and start building. We turn your idea into a production-ready product in 6-8 weeks.
Promises of "full-featured MVP" with complex integrations
Agencies based in high-cost markets (NYC, SF, London)
Commitments to advanced features like real-time sync or AI
Guarantees about timelines without understanding requirements
We've seen $8K quotes for projects that realistically need $40K+. The agency either doesn't understand the scope or plans to deliver something that barely works.
What $15K-$25K Actually Buys You
This is the sweet spot for true MVPs with defined scope.
What you're getting:
Mid-level developers with 3-5 years experience
Basic project management and weekly progress updates
Standard integrations (Stripe, auth, email)
Responsive design that works on desktop and mobile
Some guidance on technical decisions
2-3 revision rounds on key features
Timeline: 6-10 weeks for execution
At this level, you're getting a functional product that solves a clear problem. It won't be perfectly polished but it will work.
What's included at this price:
4-6 core features fully implemented
User authentication and basic permissions
Database design and implementation
Deployment to production environment
Basic documentation for handoff
What's NOT included:
Complex admin dashboards
Advanced permissions systems
Multiple third-party integrations
Extensive animations or custom UI
Ongoing support after launch
This budget works for validating your SaaS idea with a working product. You're proving the concept, not building the final version.
What $30K-$50K Actually Buys You
This range gets you a polished MVP with professional execution.
What you're getting:
Senior developers who've built similar products before
Dedicated project manager keeping everything on track
Product thinking and recommendations, not just execution
Comprehensive testing before launch
Post-launch support for critical bugs
Timeline: 8-12 weeks with structured milestones
The quality difference is tangible. Features are more robust, edge cases are handled, the UI feels professional.
Future features: Plan for 20-30% of initial build cost annually
The cheapest initial quote often becomes the most expensive after factoring in these costs. Ask explicitly what's included and what's billed separately.
What Drives Price Differences
Understanding why prices vary helps you evaluate fairly.
Factors that legitimately increase cost:
Team location and experience level (senior US developers cost more than junior offshore)
Custom design vs. templates (original design adds $5K-$15K)
Complexity of integrations (each major API adds $2K-$5K)
Number of user types (complex permissions add significant development time)
Real-time features (websockets, live updates are expensive to build right)
Mobile apps (native iOS/Android doubles development cost minimum)
Factors that shouldn't increase cost:
Agency overhead and office expenses
Sales commissions and business development costs
Inefficient processes or poor project management
Padding for scope creep they should prevent
You should pay for expertise and execution, not for their business inefficiencies.
How to Compare Quotes Fairly
Create a structured evaluation framework.
Build a comparison spreadsheet with these columns:
Scope:
Number of features included
Specific integrations covered
Design work included
Revision rounds allowed
Team:
Team composition and seniority
Previous relevant experience
Location and timezone coverage
Process:
Development methodology
Communication cadence
Testing and QA approach
Post-launch support
Terms:
Payment schedule
IP ownership
Timeline and milestones
Warranty period
Total Investment:
Development cost
Ongoing service costs
Third-party service estimates
Estimated maintenance cost
Put all quotes into this framework. The cheapest total might not be the lowest initial quote.
Questions to Ask Before Signing
Get clarity on ambiguous points before committing.
Critical questions:
"What happens if we're 80% done and realize we need a feature change?"
"How do you handle situations where feedback requires rework?"
"What's the process if we're not satisfied with a deliverable?"
"Can you show me an example of a project similar to ours?"
"What's included in post-launch support and for how long?"
"How do you prevent scope creep and timeline delays?"
"What's the payment schedule and what are the milestones?"
Their answers tell you more about how they work than any sales pitch.
The Real Cost Isn't the Quote
The most expensive MVP is the one that doesn't get built or doesn't work.
Consider the opportunity cost:
Six months with the wrong agency wastes time and money
A broken product damages your credibility with early users
Rebuilding costs more than doing it right the first time
Missed market timing can kill an otherwise great product
The goal isn't finding the cheapest quote. It's finding the right partner who delivers what you need, when you need it, at a price that reflects fair value.
Make the Decision Based on Value, Not Just Price
Cheapest rarely means best value. Most expensive doesn't guarantee quality.
The right quote:
Reflects realistic scope for your vision
Comes from a team with relevant experience
Includes transparent breakdown of costs
Sets clear expectations about process and timeline
Feels fair for the value you're getting
Want a detailed quote for your specific MVP with transparent pricing? Use our MVP calculator to get an instant estimate or book a scoping call for a detailed breakdown. We'll tell you exactly what it costs and why.
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