Frequently Asked
Questions

earnest answers to the questions most clients ask about working with me

Don't see your question? Ask during your free consultation

Addressing Common Concerns

Let me address the questions you might be hesitant to ask directly

🤔 "You're too old for AI/modern development, aren't you?"

I've been continuously learning for 43 years—that's exactly why I'm effective with AI tools. I adopted AI development tools early in their evolution and use them daily in production work.

Age brings pattern recognition. I've seen every technology hype cycle and can distinguish between genuinely transformative tools and temporary fads. AI development tools like Cursor and Claude Code are genuinely transformative—I use them because they work, not because they're trendy.

⏰ "Won't you retire soon?"

I'm a solopreneur by choice, not necessity. Many clients have been with me for 20+ years because I provide consistent, reliable service. I plan to continue as long as I'm effective and clients value what I provide.

The beauty of being established is that I don't need to chase growth or scale. I can focus entirely on doing excellent work for a manageable number of clients. That sustainability actually makes me more reliable than developers trying to build empires.

đź’° "$250/hour is expensive, isn't it?"

You're paying for 43 years of experience that prevents costly mistakes and project failures. My clients save money by avoiding the typical pitfalls that plague web development projects.

Consider the alternative: hiring someone cheaper who needs to learn on your dime, makes architectural mistakes that cost months to fix, or disappears mid-project. The software I built 25 years ago is still running today—that's the value of experience.

🏠 "Is remote work really as effective as in-person?"

I've worked remotely for decades with clients across multiple continents. Weekly Zoom meetings, screen sharing, and incremental code delivery create better communication than sporadic in-person meetings.

Remote work eliminates travel time and allows for more flexible scheduling. You get recorded sessions for reference, shared screens for clarity, and the ability to review progress at your own pace. It's not just as effective—it's often more effective.

🔄 "What if you get hit by a bus?"

Fair question. I document everything, use standard technologies, and provide complete code ownership. Your project doesn't depend on proprietary knowledge locked in my head.

That said, I've been asking and answering this question for 43 years. The consistency of my service is actually a feature—many clients choose me specifically because I'm not going anywhere, not building an agency, and not chasing the next big thing.

Choosing Between Services

"How do I know if I need full development or AI coaching?"

Ask yourself: Do you want to learn to fish, or do you just want fish? If you need a professional solution and don't want to become a developer, choose full development. If you want to build capabilities within your organization, choose AI coaching.

Quick test: If your budget is under $10K or you want to learn the technology, start with AI coaching. If you need it done professionally without learning curve, choose web development.

"Can I start with coaching and switch to full development?"

Absolutely. Many clients start with AI coaching to understand the technology and their requirements, then transition to full development for complex features or when they realize the scope is larger than expected. There's no penalty for switching approaches.

"Do you offer payment plans or financing?"

For web development: You purchase hour blocks in advance ($125-$250/hour depending on block size). This gives you cost control and ensures budget alignment. For AI coaching: monthly retainers or smaller hour blocks make it very manageable.

I don't offer traditional financing, but the pay-as-you-go structure with pre-purchased blocks gives you complete control over spending and timing.

Technical Questions

"What technologies do you use?"

I choose technologies based on your needs, not my preferences. Currently, my go-to stack is modern web technologies: React/Astro for frontend, Node.js or Python for backend, and cloud platforms like Cloudflare for deployment.

For AI coaching, I teach whatever tools are most relevant to your project: Cursor, Claude Code, Bolt.new, Replit, and others. The key is using the right tool for the job, not forcing every project into the same mold.

"Do you work with existing code/systems?"

Yes, both for takeovers and improvements. I can evaluate existing systems, identify issues, and create migration or improvement plans. Many clients come to me when previous developers have left them with incomplete or problematic code.

"How do you handle security and data protection?"

Security is built into the architecture from day one, not added as an afterthought. I follow industry best practices for data protection, use secure authentication methods, and can work within your compliance requirements (GDPR, HIPAA, etc.).

"What about ongoing maintenance and support?"

I build software to last, but all systems need occasional updates. I provide ongoing support for systems I build, and many clients maintain small hour block retainers for updates and improvements. I'm available for the long haul—some clients have been with me 20+ years.

Working Together

"What's included in the free consultation?"

A 45-minute Zoom call where we discuss your project, goals, timeline, and budget. I'll provide earnest advice about the best approach—even if that means recommending someone else or a different solution entirely. No sales pitch, just useful information.

"How often do we communicate during projects?"

For web development: Weekly Zoom meetings are standard, with email updates between meetings. For AI coaching: Weekly check-ins plus unlimited quick questions. I'm responsive to urgent issues and maintain regular communication without being overwhelming.

"What if the project scope changes significantly?"

"I will change direction at ANY TIME, provided there is budget remaining." This is a feature, not a bug. Your business evolves, and rigid requirements lead to irrelevant solutions. We'll discuss the implications and adjust course as needed.

"Do you provide training for our team?"

Yes, especially for AI coaching clients. I can train your team on maintaining and extending systems we build together. The goal is to make you self-sufficient while remaining available for complex challenges and strategic decisions.

"What time zones do you work in?"

I'm based in North America but have worked with clients globally for decades. I'm flexible with meeting times and can accommodate different time zones for regular check-ins. Asynchronous communication works well for most project management.

Still Have Questions?

The best way to get specific answers is to talk directly. I'm happy to discuss your situation and provide earnest advice about the best approach for your needs.

Send Your Questions

No obligation • No sales pitch • Just earnest conversation about your project

Quick Answers to Get Started

Free Consultation

45-minute Zoom call to discuss your specific situation and get personalized recommendations.

Email Questions

Send specific questions about your project or situation via the contact form.

Send Message

Learn More

Read detailed information about services, process, and working approach.

How I Work