Guides
Guides to custom software
Honest answers to the questions business owners ask before they build, with real prices, sources and advice on when not to build at all.
New York City
Custom software development in NYC, from a local engineer rather than an agency
Custom software development in New York City from Theodore Rose, a local engineer with 14+ years of enterprise experience. Published prices from $2,500, direct access and code you own.
Read the guide →Cost guide
How much does custom software cost in 2026?
Real 2026 price ranges for custom software: booking systems, portals, CRMs, payments, automation, AI tools, mobile apps and SaaS, plus hourly rates, hidden costs and how to spend less.
Read the guide →Cost guide
How much does a custom CRM cost? (And when to just buy HubSpot)
What a custom CRM costs to build in 2026, how long it takes, when an off-the-shelf CRM like HubSpot is the better buy, and the middle path of extending the CRM you already have.
Read the guide →Hiring guide
Freelance developer vs. agency: an honest comparison
Should you hire a freelance software developer or an agency? An honest comparison of cost, speed, communication and risk, plus how to remove the risk of relying on one person.
Read the guide →AI-built apps
Finish or fix an app built with Lovable, Base44 or another AI builder
Built a prototype with Lovable, Base44, Bolt or another AI app builder? How to make it secure, reliable and ready for real customers, and whether to fix, finish or rebuild.
Read the guide →Your time
What 15 minutes a day is actually worth: the arithmetic of everyday friction
Fifteen minutes saved on one daily task is 65 hours a year, worth about $3,048 per person. The week, month and year arithmetic for 15, 10, 5 and 1 minutes, with the research behind the numbers.
Read the guide →
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