Should a startup hire developers or use an agency?

For MVPs and pre-product-market-fit stages, agencies are typically better—they're faster to start, have proven processes, and don't require long-term commitments. Transition to in-house once you have validated product-market fit and need continuous iteration.

How much does it cost to hire a developer vs using an agency?

A senior developer costs $150-200K/year in salary plus 25-30% in benefits/overhead. Agencies charge $100-200/hour but only when you need them. For a 4-month MVP, an agency often costs 40-60% less than building an in-house team.

When should I hire in-house developers?

Hire in-house when: 1) You've found product-market fit, 2) You have consistent, ongoing development needs, 3) You can afford 6+ months of salary during hiring/onboarding, 4) You have technical leadership to manage the team.

What are the pros and cons of development agencies?

Pros: Fast start (days not months), proven processes, diverse expertise, flexible scaling, no HR overhead. Cons: Less direct control, potential communication challenges, need to manage the relationship, may not build institutional knowledge.

How do I transition from agency to in-house team?

Best practices: 1) Start hiring while agency is still building, 2) Have agency document everything thoroughly, 3) Plan 2-3 month overlap for knowledge transfer, 4) Have new hires work alongside agency initially, 5) Maintain agency relationship for surge capacity.

Should a startup hire developers or use an agency?

For MVPs and pre-product-market-fit stages, agencies are typically better—they're faster to start, have proven processes, and don't require long-term commitments. Transition to in-house once you have validated product-market fit and need continuous iteration.

How much does it cost to hire a developer vs using an agency?

A senior developer costs $150-200K/year in salary plus 25-30% in benefits/overhead. Agencies charge $100-200/hour but only when you need them. For a 4-month MVP, an agency often costs 40-60% less than building an in-house team.

When should I hire in-house developers?

Hire in-house when: 1) You've found product-market fit, 2) You have consistent, ongoing development needs, 3) You can afford 6+ months of salary during hiring/onboarding, 4) You have technical leadership to manage the team.

What are the pros and cons of development agencies?

Pros: Fast start (days not months), proven processes, diverse expertise, flexible scaling, no HR overhead. Cons: Less direct control, potential communication challenges, need to manage the relationship, may not build institutional knowledge.

How do I transition from agency to in-house team?

Best practices: 1) Start hiring while agency is still building, 2) Have agency document everything thoroughly, 3) Plan 2-3 month overlap for knowledge transfer, 4) Have new hires work alongside agency initially, 5) Maintain agency relationship for surge capacity.

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Software Development12 min2025-12-28

Ontwikkelaars Inhuren vs Bureau: Het Ultieme Beslissingskader voor Startups

Mike Cecconello

Moet u interne ontwikkelaars aannemen of met een bureau werken?

Samenvatting: De beslissing om ontwikkelaars in dienst te nemen of een bureau te gebruiken kan het succes van je startup bepalen.

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70%

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8.5%

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$60-$150/hr

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$25-$50/hr

Eastern Europe/LATAM rates

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cost savings with freelancers vs agencies

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Frequently Asked Questions

#hire developers #development agency #startup hiring #in-house vs agency #startup development team

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Mike Cecconello

Founder & AI Automation Expert

Experience

5+ years in AI & automation for creative agencies

Track Record

50+ creative agencies across Europe

Helped agencies reduce costs by 40% through automation

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▪AI Tool Implementation
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Google Analytics CertifiedHubSpot Marketing SoftwareMeta Business

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De Echte Vraag: In Welke Fase Zit Je?

Weet Je Niet Welk Pad Juist Is?

📊 Belangrijke Statistieken (2025)

🔗 Verder Lezen

Frequently Asked Questions

Should a startup hire developers or use an agency?

How much does it cost to hire a developer vs using an agency?

When should I hire in-house developers?

What are the pros and cons of development agencies?

How do I transition from agency to in-house team?

Share this article

What Our Clients Say

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Bouw Je MVP in 10 Dagen: Complete 2025 Startup Ontwikkelgids + Kosten

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Creatieve Bureaus: Hoe ROI te Herstellen van Verspilde Ontwikkelingsbudgetten (€50K+ Verloren? Hier is Uw Pad)

Mike Cecconello

Experience

Track Record

Expertise

Certifications

Laten we samenwerken

E-mail

Locatie

Volg ons