Field notes

Hiring advice, without the guesswork.

Practical guidance for evaluating developers, running fair build challenges, and pricing freelance work.

4 August 2026

Freelance developer rates in the UK: what actually goes into pricing a small project

Freelance developer rates vary hugely depending on experience, project risk, and how the work is priced. Here’s what actually drives the number, without pretending there’s a single "average" figure.

28 July 2026

What is a build challenge? A faster way to vet developers before you pay

A build challenge gives a small group of developers the same brief and a fixed window to build a real, working slice of your project — so you can compare actual work, not just proposals.

20 July 2026

How to hire a developer without getting burned by a great portfolio

A polished portfolio and a confident pitch tell you very little about whether a developer can actually deliver your project. Here’s what to check instead.