The Agency Horror Stories
Last month, a founder came to us with a $60,000 investment, a partially-built product, and six months of nothing to show for it. The agency had vanished. The code was spaghetti. The founder was starting from scratch.
This isn't rare. It's common.
We've taken over projects from agencies that disappeared mid-project, built features nobody asked for, produced code that crashed everywhere, and charged for work they never completed.
Red Flags Before You Sign
1. They Won't Do a Discovery Phase
Good agencies ask questions before they give quotes. Bad agencies give quotes before they understand your problem.
Discovery means understanding who your users are, your business model, technical constraints, and what's worked before.
Run from any agency that quotes without discovery.
2. Their Portfolio Has No Working Products
Anyone can create mockups. Real products work. Ask for:
- Live URLs you can use
- App store links
- Case studies with specific results
- References you can call
3. The Quote Is Suspiciously Low
An agency quotes $20,000 for something that should cost $60,000. The founder picks the cheap option. Six months later, they're paying $80,000 to fix what the cheap agency broke.
Quality software development has real costs. If the quote seems too good to be true, it is.
4. They Say Yes to Everything
Good agencies push back. They explain tradeoffs. They identify conflicts between features.
Bad agencies say yes to everything. They're not giving you expertise — they're just taking your money.
5. Communication Breaks Down Before Signing
If an agency takes three days to respond to your initial inquiry, that's how they'll respond when you have a problem mid-project.
Red Flags After Signing
6. No Clear Project Plan
If the agency doesn't provide a detailed project plan with milestones, regular check-ins, and a way to track progress, you're flying blind.
7. No Testing Process
Proper testing isn't optional. It's the difference between a product you can maintain and one that slowly becomes unmaintainable.
8. You Cannot See the Code
You own the code. Full stop. If an agency hesitates to give you repo access, there's a reason.
The Questions That Reveal Everything
"What happens if you discover something unexpected?" Good: "We flag it immediately, assess impact, propose solutions." Bad: "We handle it as it comes up."
"Can I talk to your developers directly?" Good: "Yes, here's how." Bad: "The project manager handles all communication."
How to Vet an Agency
- Portfolio Deep Dive: Actually use the products. Check page load times. Look for responsiveness.
- Reference Check: Call three past clients. Ask about delivery, communication, and would they work together again.
- Trial Project: Before a $100K project, try a $5K trial.
The Bottom Line
Most agency horror stories share a common thread: founders chose based on price or aesthetics instead of process and communication.
The best agencies share these qualities: ask more questions than they answer, push back when worried, communicate proactively, deliver on commitments, and care whether the product succeeds.
You can pay less and get a broken product. Or pay fair rates and get a partner.
If you're evaluating agencies, book a call. We'll tell you honestly whether we're a fit — and if not, point you to someone who is.
