Choosing a developer when you can't judge the code yourself

You've got a clear idea of what your software needs to do, but when a developer walks you through their code, their architecture choices, or their toolkit, it all blurs together. You can't verify if they're actually good at what they do just by listening to them talk. So how do you pick someone who will deliver rather than disappear or leave you with unmaintainable mess?

The honest truth is you're not going to read their code and judge its quality yourself—and that's okay. What you can do is identify a few specific, concrete signals that correlate strongly with a developer who finishes projects and writes software that doesn't become a nightmare six months later.

Work that speaks because it's verifiable

Ask to see actual software the developer has shipped. Not GitHub repositories filled with half-finished hobby projects, but live applications people are using. A portfolio app, a tool their previous client is running, a SaaS product they built for a startup. You should be able to click through it, use it, and experience what they've made.

When you're looking at their work, you're not auditing the code—you're checking whether the software feels complete. Does it respond quickly? Can you actually finish a task without hitting bugs or confusing workflows? Does it look like something someone paid for, or rough and rushed?

If a developer struggles to show you anything live, that's a red flag. They may have built things, but if nothing is available to inspect, you have no way to assess whether their projects actually ship and work in the real world. You can ask them directly: "What's a project you completed in the last two years that I can actually use or see running?" Their answer—or lack of one—matters more than a polished pitch.

How they talk about the work, not just the tools

During your first conversation, mention your core requirements and listen to how they respond. A developer worth hiring will ask clarifying questions about *why* you need something, what the real problem is, and what success looks like. They'll push back on vague requirements. They'll say "that won't work because..." rather than nodding along.

Avoid anyone who immediately starts listing technologies or promising speed without understanding your constraints. A developer who wants to use their favourite framework for every project isn't thinking about *your* problem—they're thinking about themselves.

Also notice whether they can explain technical choices in plain language. If you ask "why are you recommending that approach?" and they either can't explain it or explain it only in jargon, that's not a good fit. You don't need to understand every detail, but you should feel like they could explain the reasoning to you.

References who will actually answer your calls

Ask for references from past clients, and specifically ask for people who paid for custom builds similar in scope to yours. A reference is only useful if you can contact them directly and get honest answers.

When you call or message them, ask three things: Did the project finish on time and on budget? Can you still use the software, and does it work? Would you hire this developer again?

Pay attention to how long the reference has known the developer and whether they've worked together more than once. Someone who has done multiple projects with the same client is far more credible than a one-off gig.

If a developer hesitates to give you references or only offers to send "testimonials" they've written themselves, move on. Any serious freelancer should have people willing to vouch for them directly.

The practical shortlist

You're looking for someone whose completed work you can see and test, who asks smart questions about your problem, and whose previous clients will actually recommend them. Those three things eliminate a lot of noise. You'll still need to discuss scope, timeline, and cost, but you're starting from a position where you've already verified the person can finish what they start.

When you're ready to move forward, platforms like Strove help you compare developers who've been verified and reviewed by past clients, so you can shortlist with more confidence from the start.