The Sanity Check.
An independent review of a development partner's quote, before you sign. Credentials, tech stack, cost and scope, read by a senior product and engineering eye.
The Sanity Check is a fixed-scope Set Piece: an independent review of a quote a development partner has given you: their credentials, the proposed tech stack, the cost, and the scope and roadmap. It's delivered in about a week from £3,500. A few thousand spent to catch an expensive mistake before you commit six figures to the wrong build.
What it is.
You've got a quote from a development partner (an agency or a freelancer) and a decision to make. The trouble is twofold: you're probably not technical enough to know whether it's any good, and the people who wrote it are the people who get paid if you say yes. The Sanity Check is an independent second opinion.
A senior product leader and a senior engineer read the proposal the way an experienced CTO would, and tell you, plainly, whether to sign it, push back on it, or walk away. A few thousand pounds to make sure you don't spend six figures on the wrong build. Save the money before you make the expensive mistake.
What we check.
Four things, each scored red, amber or green, each with the specific questions to take back to the partner:
- Credentials. Are they who they say they are: the track record, the references, the seniority of the people who'll actually do the work, and whether they've shipped this kind of thing before.
- Tech stack. Is the proposed stack right for your product, your stage and your future hiring, or simply what they happen to like, or what quietly locks you into them.
- Cost. Is the price fair for the scope: what's padded, what's missing, where the change requests and overruns will come from, and how it compares to the market.
- Scope & roadmap. Does the scope match what you actually need (the right first build, neither gold-plated nor under-cooked), and does it set you up for the next twelve months rather than paint you into a corner.
What you get.
- A written review with a clear red / amber / green verdict on each of the four areas.
- A plain-English recommendation: proceed, renegotiate, or walk away.
- A list of specific, pointed questions to put to the partner before you sign.
- A short call to walk you through it, so you go into the next conversation knowing exactly where you stand.
Who it's for.
- Non-technical founders and SME leaders holding a build quote they can't fully judge.
- Anyone about to commit serious budget to an agency or freelancer found through a referral.
- Boards and investors who want an independent read on a portfolio company's build proposal.
How it works.
Send us the quote and any supporting documents. We confirm the fit and the fixed price on a free discovery call, then a senior product leader and a senior engineer review it together and come back within about a week. No retainer, no obligation to use us for the build — just an honest, senior read on whether the money is about to be well spent.
Questions about this Set Piece.
What is The Sanity Check?
An independent, fixed-scope review of a development partner's quote: credentials, tech stack, cost, and scope/roadmap, with a clear red, amber or green verdict on whether to proceed, renegotiate or walk away.
How much does The Sanity Check cost and how long does it take?
From £3,500, delivered in about a week.
Who is The Sanity Check for?
Non-technical founders and SME leaders about to commit serious budget to an agency or freelancer, who want an independent senior read on the quote before they sign.
Book a discovery call.
Twenty minutes to talk through the quote you're weighing up.
Book a discovery call