15 questions to ask before hiring a freelancer or agency

Short answer: before you hire a freelancer or agency, ask about recent similar work, exactly what the price includes, how changes are charged, who does the work, the timeline and milestones, who owns the files, and what support you get after delivery. Ask every candidate the same questions so the answers can be compared.

A good professional is happy to answer all of these in writing. Hesitation on any of them is useful information.

About their experience

1. Can you show me two or three projects like mine from the last year? Recent and similar beats a long portfolio of unrelated work. For websites, open them on your phone.
2. What was the hardest part of one of those projects, and how did you handle it? A real answer shows real experience. A vague one is a warning.
3. Who will actually do the work? With agencies, the person who sells is often not the person who builds. With freelancers, ask whether any of it is subcontracted.
4. Can I speak to a past client? One short call with a reference tells you more than ten testimonials.

About the price

5. What exactly does the price include? Ask for line items. A single total hides what is missing.
6. What is not included that I might need? Hosting, content, stock photos, licences and training are the usual gaps.
7. How are changes charged? How many rounds of revisions are included, and what does one more cost?
8. How do you want to be paid? A deposit and payments against milestones protect both of you. The full amount upfront protects only them.

About the timeline

9. When can you start, and when will it be finished? Ask for the dates in writing.
10. What do you need from me, and by when? Most delays come from content or feedback arriving late, not from the professional.
11. How will we keep in touch, and how often? Agree a channel and a rhythm, such as a short update twice a week.

About ownership and after delivery

12. Who owns the finished work and the files? You should own the domain, the hosting account, the design files and the copyright once you have paid.
13. What happens if something breaks after launch? A short free fix period, often 30 days, is normal.
14. What will it cost to keep it running? Monthly fees for hosting, maintenance or software add up. Ask for a yearly figure.
15. What happens if either of us wants to stop part-way? A fair answer covers what you pay for work done so far and what you receive.

Red flags

• No recent work similar to yours, or work they will not let you open.
• A price with no breakdown, or a price far below everyone else's.
• Pressure to pay everything upfront, or to pay outside any written agreement.
• Reluctance to put scope, dates or ownership in writing.

Make the answers comparable

These questions work best when every candidate quotes for the same written brief. On VouchQuote you describe the project once, at most three freelancers or agencies send itemised quotes, and you compare them side by side before you speak to anyone. Start with a clear brief, then use how to compare quotes to decide.