When to Hire a Contractor vs. an Agency vs. a Full-Time Engineer

Each path solves a different problem. Picking the wrong one for your stage is one of the most expensive mistakes founders make.

Lead Software Engineer

July 9, 2024

6 min read

Contractor

Best for a scoped, well-defined build with a clear end state. You're buying execution, not ongoing judgment.

Best when you need a full team fast and don't have technical leadership in-house to direct one.

Best once the product direction is stable enough that institutional knowledge compounds in value.

Most early-stage founders default to "full-time hire" when what they actually need is a contractor for 8 weeks.

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