Frequently Asked Questions

Our clients choose us because we have extensive experience that consistently proves our ability to deliver technically complex projects. We also offer innovative ways of working, unavailable from any other development company we know, which enable us to deliver new products quickly.

We have over fifteen years of experience in solving all kinds of problems, such as working alongside existing development teams, working with legacy systems to support new app developments, building technically complex features, and bringing together systems, processes and applications with seamless integration.

If you have big ideas, find yourself with complex problems and want the very best from an agency, then Scorchsoft can help.

Yes, absolutely! We speak with customers from all backgrounds and levels of technical ability, so if you’re unsure whether now is the right time to reach out to our team, please don’t hesitate. We’ll respect where you are in your current journey and will see whether we can help.

If you’re not quite ready to get in touch, we have other resources available. For example, we've written an entire book on this topic called Execute Your Tech Idea. It contains 18 chapters covering everything from finding ideas, qualifying them, raising money, prioritising your project, project management, and even marketing. Our founder and MD, Andrew, has written the book to be easily understood, even if you aren't technical. The content applies to creating internal tech tools, products, apps, web services, databases, IoT, web apps, and more; It's also relevant to Managers, Professionals in established teams, and Startups. Get our book on Amazon UK, Amazon US, or other Amazon territories.

Contact us or request a quote when you feel ready (or now if you are already ready).

Yes, we can.

We offer several options to start your project. Some focus on cost certainty, while others prioritise speed and help you reach a minimum viable product as soon as possible.

If you have a preference, we can accommodate it. We carefully tailor our approach based on what matters most to you and what you value in working with us.

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Yes, we will always try and give you a ballpark or approximate price as early as possible; normally on your first call or email. Having a rough idea of expected costs as soon as possible helps you to qualify whether what you have in mind is commercially feasible and if you would like to investigate further.

Ballpark estimates are educated guesses based on our experience, so please remember that the actual final cost may go up or down as we take the time to explore your requirements in more detail. The more information you can provide us with about what you need, the more accurate our ballpark estimate is likely to be.

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Talk to us. If you share your idea via this form, one of our team will respond within one working day by email or phone.

If you’d prefer to speak to us right now, call 0121 7240447, and one of the team will talk through your ideas and project.

Scorchsoft is a collaborative business, we look to build a relationship with you and are happy to help.

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Most of the time, yes.

Most of the apps we make support both iOS and Android mobile platforms. It’s common for people to want their applications to work across web and mobile devices, so we use development frameworks such as React and React Native or Flutter by Google that enable us to support both platforms quickly.

That said, we sometimes develop apps natively for specific platforms. We base this decision on the project's requirements, its technical capabilities, and your priorities. We can help you decide which framework best suits your needs. If you have a preferred framework for cross-platform development, please let us know and we will confirm whether we can support it.

Scorchsoft has extensive experience in building web applications. We can develop new web applications or support existing ones.

Often, clients approach us with specific ideas about how their web app or progressive web app should function, or particular technologies they want to use. If you have preferences for your web app project, please share them with us when you get in touch. We will let you know if we can accommodate your requirements.

We achieve this either by iterating quickly—so you see rapid progress as we go and the project stays on track through strong process and communication—or by creating clear project documentation, such as technical specifications, wireframes, and acceptance criteria.

We have extensive experience delivering technically complex projects; it’s what we do every day. This experience has enabled us to establish a reliable way of working that consistently meets expectations.

We support our customers in many ways, from regular meetings with the project team to status reports and updates. We want to keep you informed at every stage of the project, so you can have confidence in both the process and the delivery.

If you have specific expectations regarding project management—such as how often you’d like to receive status reports, your preferences for project documentation, or particular requirements for post-project support and maintenance—please let us know. We’ll do our best to accommodate your needs.

We have worked with several customers who have done exactly that. They have vibe-coded their ideas into a basic prototype but have reached a wall when the requirements become functionally complex. We find that people can create visual versions of their app quite easily without a back-end but often struggle to develop their applications beyond that.

If you have vibe-coded something and would like us to review it to see if we can take it to the next level, send it over. We will take a look and let you know how we can help. Sometimes, what you have created can serve as a prototype, or if we need to recode certain elements, we will at least have a clear baseline understanding of what you want to achieve and your vision for the project. This helps to ensure your project's success.

We also have specialised project management methods for picking up vibe-coded projects, and we offer a dedicated app project rescue service for situations like these.

You will typically be assigned appropriate copyright or license rights for the bespoke code we write for your project. We are transparent with intellectual property rights, and you will have the opportunity to review our code ownership terms before the project begins.

Scorchsoft follows Cyber Essentials guidelines to make sure our people, passwords, systems, and networks meet recognised security standards.

To keep your data safe, we don’t share every detail of our security setup publicly. However, here’s an overview of key measures we take:

• All server code runs over HTTPS with a secure SSL certificate.
• Passwords are stored as hashed strings with a unique salt per user. In some cases, sensitive data is protected using two-way encryption. Even if compromised, the data would be difficult to decrypt.
• We use secure development frameworks like Laravel, Flask, ExpressJS, which help prevent common threats such as SQL injection, XSS, CSRF, and unauthorised file access. Debugging is only enabled on test servers, not live ones.
• Our code is regularly scanned for vulnerabilities using third-party security tools.
• Developers use SSH keys for secure access when deploying code.
• Hosted servers are backed up daily—both on-site (bare-metal backups) and off-site in a secure UK-based location—ensuring quick recovery if needed.
• We offer integration with secure content delivery networks like Cloudflare or Akamai to guard against DDoS attacks, improve performance, and hide server IP addresses.
• Payment handling uses PCI-compliant systems to protect cardholder data.
• Staff receive security training, follow strict policies, and are under NDA. 
• For enterprise projects, we offer security and vulnerability audits using industry-standard penetration testing tools.

These steps help ensure your project is protected at every level.

Please note that, although we have mentioned some technologies above, Scorchsoft works with a wide range of technologies and has a diverse team. If you have specific technologies in mind or particular approaches to security you would like us to follow, please let us know and we will confirm whether we can accommodate your requirements.

We offer a variety of approaches to building an app. Some methods are slow and methodical, taking between three and six months. Other options move more quickly, allowing us to deliver a first version of your app in as little as four to eight weeks.

The approach we choose will depend on how quickly you want to move and how much support you can provide for a rapid, iterative process. I recommend speaking with our team to discuss these options and find the best fit for your needs.

We offer a range of support and maintenance options. Baseline support provides essential updates and remedial work, while our advanced packages include comprehensive support, maintenance, agile project retainers, provisions for changes, and ongoing product development.

We likely have an option to suit your needs. If you are unsure which to choose, please let us know your requirements. We will either recommend a suitable package or work with you to create a tailored solution.

Just because we've built something for you doesn't mean it can't be changed. For example, we can make elements of your app editable through a content management system, so you can update them yourself. If you have additional features in mind for your product roadmap, we can often extend the application over time to include those as well. These changes would be treated as additional work after the initial project is complete.

Sometimes, architectural decisions affect how we programme certain features. We may need to build something in a particular way to support future extensions that you might want. It's always best to speak with our technical team early on. This way, we can make sure we’re heading in the right direction to support your plans for the application.

The more you tell us about your goals for the app, the better we can advise you on how to architect it for future growth.

Scorchsoft has a large team of developers with experience in a wide range of technologies. For example, we use front-end frameworks such as React Native and Flutter to build mobile applications. We have supported apps built with Flutter and can also develop using native languages if required.

We commonly use Python, PHP (Laravel), and Node.js on the back end. However, our team has worked with many other back-end languages as well. Just because these are our usual choices does not mean we cannot support other languages.

We follow best practices to ensure both the scalability of your project and that there is not unnecessary technical overhead for its size. We aim to recommend the approach best suited to the size, scale, and purpose of your application.

If you do not have a preferred technology stack, we are happy to advise you based on your project requirements. If you already have a particular stack in mind, just let us know and we will confirm if we can support it.

We have extensive experience integrating with third-party systems to enhance functionality. However, it's important for us to understand your requirements and what you want to achieve with these systems to ensure compatibility.

We follow a process to audit the systems we plan to integrate with, which allows us to double-check that we can support them. While we have a long track record with third-party integration, we take these steps to make sure everything works effectively for your needs.

Please contact us about your requirements, and we will advise on what we think is possible.

Payment handling often seems straightforward, but there are some challenges you may need to address. For instance, if you have a mobile app and want to accept in-app payments, the type of product or feature you are selling—such as unlocking app features—can heavily influence your choice of payment provider.

This will determine whether you can use open-market options like Stripe or PayPal, or if you must use a proprietary system such as Apple's in-app payment service. Our team can offer guidance on the best approach for your situation when you get in touch with us.

We have extensive experience working with internal teams, including both design and technical departments. Our ability to collaborate effectively depends on your team's working culture, how you prefer to interact with us, and the technologies you use and need support for.

If you are unsure about how we can work together, one of our team members can discuss our different approaches with you and help determine whether we would be a good fit.

Scorchsoft has an in-house graphic design team that creates design assets, from logos to user experience-optimised interfaces for complex applications.

We can often work with third-party designs if they are production-ready. If not, we can create production-ready designs from them as part of our service, taking inspiration from the graphics you have provided.

If you are unsure, please show us what you have created so far. We will advise you on the best way forward and let you know if we can work with the assets you have supplied.

Almost certainly. The GDPR regulations will affect your business if you have a website, or store customer data. If you ignore the new rules then you may be liable for fines of up to 4% of your revenue, or €20 million, so you don't want to get this one wrong.

We appreciate this is a complex topic, so, if you want to know more, we have written an article all about how to prepare for GDPR that's full of actionable tips.

Yes. 

If you have a site or app with small resource requirements, then we can host your project on our managed servers. If you have specific hosting requirements, intensive resource demands, or require something more specialist, then we can set you up with your own dedicated, cloud, or load balanced hosting environment. 

For example, if you need to handle high volumes of processing and traffic globally then we may opt for a bespoke multi-server hosting setup using Amazon’s EC2, Cloud Front, Elastic Load Balancer and S3 storage facilities.

Should you be unsure of what you require, one option is to start with a simple hosting package first, and then move to a more advanced configuration if your needs grow.

The project management method we choose for your project will depend on your goals. For example, do you value a fixed cost with an extended upfront planning phase, or would you rather dive in and work quickly to deliver a minimum viable product as soon as possible?

We also offer an innovative approach called velocity sprints, where we optimise everything for speed and rapid updates. However, fast does not mean out of control—regardless of the project method, we always ensure careful management.

If you speak with our team and share your aims, a bit about your project, and what matters most to you, we can explain the differences between these approaches. We will then help you decide which method best suits your needs, provided we are the right fit for your project.

You can also find more information about our various services on our services page.

Scorchsoft follows several approaches to ensure the robustness of our app and testing processes. We write unit tests, conduct development testing, regression testing, and carry out internal release testing before we hand over the product to you.

At the end of a project, or at a suitable point during the process, we will give you the opportunity to conduct user acceptance testing. This ensures you are satisfied that we have met your requirements. Our approach to user acceptance testing depends on your chosen project management methodology, whether that is waterfall, agile, or velocity sprints. Some approaches require you to review the app only at completion, while others involve you incrementally throughout development.

In short, yes, we involve you in testing. We value having our customers contribute feedback and be actively involved in assessing the delivery. However, we also aim to ensure you do not need to spend a lot of time raising obvious issues. Our team’s focus is to optimise for robust and reliable delivery.

Yes we have a team of approximately 20 people who are based in the UK. 

Yes, we can include automated unit testing in our development process and follow Test-Driven Development (TDD) principles where appropriate. The level of testing depends on your preferences and the needs of the project, balancing thoroughness with cost.

We usually structure payments in phases that match project milestones.

While Scorchsoft' team of app developers specializes in simplifying complex app projects, we are not qualified to offer legal advice, including advice on patenting. For patent-related inquiries, it's crucial to consult with a specialist patent solicitor with software expertise. They can provide detailed guidance based on your specific plans and the unique aspects of your project.

Patenting can be complex and costly, especially if protection is sought globally. The process requires a solid case for the patent, significant financial resources for application and enforcement, and considerable time from application to grant. Additionally, software patents pose particular challenges due to their technical and innovative nature, often requiring a detailed audit of the software and its design. Therefore it is important to consult a qualified patent law specialist.

That said, we may be able to assist by providing your patent specialist with the information they need. If you decide to pursue a patent and require specific technical documentation or support related to your software project, please inform us of your needs. We are ready to assist by providing the necessary technical specifications, wireframes, and any other relevant information to help your patent solicitor assess the patentability of your innovation. However, please be aware preparing this info is likely to carry a cost.

If you are wondering about alternative ways to protect your ideas, many tech startups find that securing competitive advantages through other means—such as trademarks, copyright protections, non-disclosure agreements, network effects, and ongoing innovation—can be more affordable, feasible and immediate (see the Doblin ten types of innovation). These methods also help protect and enhance your market position without the extensive patenting requirements. Though granted, these do not provide the same nature of protection as what would be granted by a patent.

If you engage with a patent solicitor and they identify specific requirements from us, please reach out. We will then provide an estimate of the work involved on our end to support your patent application process.

Absolutely! Our Managing Director, Andrew, has written technology books to help you on your journey.

Execute Your Tech Idea

Execute Your Tech Idea gives you everything you need to find, qualify, implement, and launch your tech idea. Discover your ‘aha!’ moment in this plain-speaking, easy-to-read guidebook suitable for non-technical readers.

Enjoy learning about the essential concepts you need to succeed, covered in enough detail for you to be effective without getting overwhelmed. Each chapter builds on the last, enabling you to gradually grow your confidence in a way that feels clear and easy.

The ChatGPT Guide for Business

iscover the power of AI for your business with this essential guide to ChatGPT with this Quick-Start Guide to Effective AI Use and Prompt Engineering In Work and Business

Full of practical applications & techniques, learn how to harness AI to boost productivity, enhance your work & gain a competitive edge. From business communications to project management, marketing & more, you'll learn how to use AI responsibly without compromising your values.

A must-have guide for you or your team!

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We also recommend the following books (not written by our MD):

The lean start-up

This book isn’t just aimed at start-up entrepreneurs; it also applies to existing businesses launching new products. It covers the most effective way to launch and test a new tech product, helping you to eliminate waste and maximise success.

Traction

So you’ve just build your new start up or product now comes the hard part – marketing it to get major traction! Traction shows you how businesses, both new and old, have identified and exploited one or more of the 19 marketing channels that exist to achieve explosive growth.

The start-up funding book

If you’re a startup in the UK wondering how you may self-fund your venture, then this book is for you. It covers all sorts of finance options from loans to accelerator programs, Angel and equity investors.

Please, let us hear it!

Ask Scorchsoft a question >

We don’t offer formal in-person work experience placements. As a small, busy team, we receive more requests than we could ever accommodate, sometimes several every day, so unfortunately we can’t support ad-hoc placements either. 

Instead, we’ve created a Work Experience Guide to help students build practical experience independently — often a faster and more effective route. If you complete a project using the guide, you're welcome to send it to us, and we’ll provide constructive feedback in lieu of an in-person placement and write a letter giving feedback that you can show to your school and potential employers. This approach enables us to support far more people than we otherwise could.

You’re likely here because you’ve got an idea—or a business challenge you need to solve. If you’re still exploring, you might want to look at our capabilities or browse a few case studies to see how we’ve helped others.

If you're serious about moving forward, the best next step is a short conversation. No pressure, no pushy sales talk—just a chance to understand what you’re working on and see if we’re a good fit.

Use the contact form or call us on 0121 724 0447. We’ll get back to you within one working day.

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