The verdict in three sentences
A good nearshore agency is chosen on a weighted scorecard where the day rate counts for only 20 %: sector references, stack, methodology, code ownership and SLA matter more. In 2026 a rate of 250 to 450 EUR ex. VAT is the market; paying less often hides a junior team or high turnover. Protect yourself by contract: full code assignment, reversibility and quantified late penalties.
Weighted selection scorecard
Score each agency 0 to 5, multiply by the weight, compare totals.
| Criterion | Weight | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Sector references | 20 % | 3 comparable delivered projects |
| Code ownership / reversibility | 18 % | Full assignment, client Git repo |
| Methodology & rituals | 15 % | Sprints, CI/CD, tests > 70 % |
| Real team seniority | 15 % | Named CVs, no bait & switch |
| SLA & support | 12 % | Response time, bug guarantee |
| Communication / language | 10 % | Time overlap, responsiveness |
| Rate & contract model | 5 % | Fixed-price vs T&M clarity |
| Financial stability | 5 % | Track record, recurring clients |
Questions to ask and red flags
| Question to ask | Good answer | Red flag |
|---|---|---|
| Who actually codes? | Named, stable team | "Assigned at kickoff" |
| Do I own the code? | 100 % assignment on delivery | Licence or lock-in |
| What if we stop? | Documented reversibility | No exit plan |
| How do you handle bugs? | 3-6 month guarantee | Immediate billing |
| Can I speak to a client? | Reference provided | Systematic refusal |
| Where is the Git repo hosted? | Client account | Agency private account |
Contract structure: fixed-price vs T&M
| Element | Fixed-price | Time & materials (dedicated team) |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Frozen, spec-driven | Evolving per sprint |
| Price | Fixed (e.g. 35,000 EUR) | Rate x days (e.g. 320 EUR) |
| Overrun risk | Provider | Client |
| Flexibility | Low | High |
| Ideal for | Scoped MVP | Evolving product |
| Reversibility clause | Mandatory | Mandatory |
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Mini case study
Sophie, IT director of a mid-market distributor in New York, hesitates between two nearshore agencies. The cheaper one quotes 240 EUR ex. VAT but refuses to name the team or assign the code without a surcharge. Applying the scorecard, she scores it 2.9/5 versus 4.3/5 for the second at 330 EUR ex. VAT. On a 40,000 EUR budget, the 15 % premium (6,000 EUR) secures code ownership and reversibility: an insurance cost far below the risk of an unrecoverable project.
FAQ
Is the lowest day rate a good sign? Rarely. Below 220 EUR ex. VAT in 2026 you mostly find junior profiles or cascading subcontracting that erodes quality and responsiveness.
Should I demand named CVs? Yes, to avoid bait & switch where the agency shows seniors then assigns juniors. The contract should list profiles and forbid replacement without approval.
What bug guarantee should I expect? Require a free correction guarantee of 3 to 6 months after delivery, separate from evolutionary support. It should cover any gap versus the spec.
How do I verify reversibility? Ask for a document describing handover of code, documentation and access, plus a deployment test on a third party. Without a written exit plan you are locked in.
Fixed-price or T&M for a first project? Fixed-price reassures on a clearly scoped MVP; T&M suits an evolving product. A scoping phase settles it in one or two weeks.
Let's scope your project. Send us your need, an indicative budget and your priority criteria and we'll answer the scorecard point by point. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
