How we work: free intake call to fixed price

Step 1: Free intake call

We start with your company: what it does, any industry specifics and how it runs today. Then we dig into the problem. Do you already know what you want built, or do you want us to design the answer? Ami leads this call, and it changes depending on what comes up. We also tell you early which parts of how you work may need to change, such as how you invoice, for the software to work.

Step 2: Internal review

Our three partners go over what we heard, list open questions and decide whether software can really help. If we need more, we come back to you. If the answer is no, we tell you, and point you somewhere better if we can.

Step 3: Door A or Door B

Door A, System Blueprint: for owners who know something's broken but not the fix. A fixed-price diagnostic, then a fixed-price Blueprint you own. How a System Blueprint works

Door B, Build: for owners who already have a system or an idea. We scope it for free.

Step 4: One fixed price

You get one price for the whole build, agreed before work starts, with an estimated timeline. We walk you through the proposal, including the risks, said plainly. No hourly meter, and no surprise invoices.

Step 5: The build

We build it. We use AI to help write code, and every part is reviewed and tested by our developer before you see it. You can see progress in your client portal at any time, and you get a weekly status update from Lipa.

If you want to change something mid-build, we price the change first and you decide.

Step 6: Support plans

Software needs looking after. Each plan is a fixed monthly price, so you know the cost before the month starts.

Keep it running

For systems that work and need to stay that way. Hosting, if we host your system, and a monthly report of what we did. If something breaks, we quote the fix and bill it by the hour.

Keep it improving

Everything in Keep it running, plus small improvements agreed with you each month.

Grow it with us

Everything in Keep it improving, plus new features planned with you as your business grows. Fixes are included, up to an agreed amount of time each month.

You may not need a plan. Small projects often don't, and we'll tell you. If something comes up later, email us and we'll quote the fix before we touch anything.

Prices and response times for each plan are in your proposal, or ask on your intake call.

What does a custom software project need from you?

Software depends on the people using it. We'll ask for your data, one person who knows how things really work, your time for questions and testing, and your commitment to use the system once it's built. If that isn't realistic, we'll say so before you spend anything.

Frequently asked questions

How is the price set?

We can't give a real price until we've scoped the work, because the price comes from what your system needs. Quoting before that would be a guess, and we'd rather not guess with your money. What we can promise: the intake call is free, and every Blueprint and every build gets one fixed price, agreed before we start.

How long does it take?

Your proposal comes with an estimated timeline. We'll be honest about what could slow things down, and the most common cause is waiting on data or decisions.

Who owns the software and the data?

The System Blueprint is yours. Your data is always yours, whoever builds the system. You own the code once the build is paid in full. We keep the right to reuse certain general features in other projects. In some projects, when it suits both sides, we may offer a lower price in exchange for keeping ownership of the code, and you use it under license. Whatever we agree is written into your agreement before the build starts.

Why not build it myself with AI?

You might be able to. If your time is better spent learning to build it, that's a fair choice, and a Blueprint gives you the plan to do it. Our clients are owners whose time is better spent running their business. We started with AI ourselves, so we aren't against it. We just know a business system takes hours of work and judgment to get right.

What if software isn't the right answer?

Then we'll tell you, and point you toward something cheaper or simpler if we can. Do you need custom software?

Do you work with companies outside New York?

Yes. We're based in Brooklyn and work with companies anywhere.

Is custom software risky?

Yes. It needs data, people who use it and changes to how you work. We walk you through those risks before you commit, and they're written into every proposal.