Freelancer, agency, or a no-code builder yourself?
A no-code builder
Cheap, fast, no developer needed. Fine for the simplest bots: three buttons and a request form. Beyond that you hit the limits fast, since complex logic, integrations, and AI are nearly impossible there. If the bot is just a box to tick, a builder will do.
Freelancer
Pros: cheaper, direct communication, fast replies. Cons: if the person disappears, no one else can make sense of their code, and there's no support. Works fine if you find someone reliable and accept that you'll likely need a rebuild once you outgrow it.
Team or agency
Pros: accountable for the result, documentation, support, won't vanish on you. Cons: more expensive, and you're often talking to a project manager rather than the person actually building it. Worth it when the bot is part of the business, not a side toy.
7 questions to ask before you start
- Who owns the code? The answer should be: you. If "the code stays with us," you're tied to that contractor forever.
- Where will the bot be hosted, and under whose account? The Telegram account and the server should be yours, with access under your control.
- What's included in the price, and what counts as extra work? This is where surprises show up. Wording tweaks and small changes shouldn't be billed as a new project.
- How many test questions will they run? Critical for an AI bot. A good answer is dozens, with results shown to you.
- Who's responsible for issues, and how long does support last? A minimum of one month's warranty should be written into the contract.
- Can I see examples of live bots? Not screenshots, but working bots you can actually try in Telegram.
- What happens if we want to expand the bot later? The answer will show whether the architecture was actually planned or it's a one-off script.
Red flags
- Price well below market rate. Either it's a no-code builder dressed up as custom development, or you'll be hit with extra charges later.
- No contract, vague terms. Even with a freelancer, you need a written agreement: scope, timeline, price, code ownership.
- They say "we'll build whatever you want." A good contractor asks about your task first and tells you what you do and don't need.
- No questions about your business. A bot built without understanding your process is a template that won't fit.
- Promises of top search rankings or a "flow of clients" bundled with the bot. A bot doesn't bring in customers, it works with the ones who already showed up.
- Full payment upfront demanded. A normal setup is milestones or a partial deposit.
What your contract must cover
A itemized scope of work: which scenarios and features are included. Timeline. Price and payment stages. Ownership of code and data. Warranty period and what support includes. Acceptance process: how you verify the work and what counts as done.
If a contractor avoids pinning down the scope, expect disputes later. "We'll make it nice" doesn't belong in a contract, and you'll have nothing to hold them to afterward.
How to sign off on the work
- Walk through every scenario yourself, hands-on from a phone, not just reading a description.
- Confirm that requests arrive where they should, with a notification.
- Try to break it: send nonsense, a sticker, leave a question unanswered. The bot shouldn't crash.
- Collect all access and the code right at handover, not "we'll send it later."
- Ask for a short guide: how to change text, prices, and where to check incoming requests.
How to tell you've found a solid contractor
They ask questions instead of jumping straight to a price. They say "you don't need this" and back it up. They show you live examples. They talk calmly about what happens after launch. And they don't promise the impossible, like a flow of customers out of thin air.
If you want a quote built around your specific task, clear and without the fog, message me on Telegram. I'll tell you what you actually need, and what you can skip.
Want a quote for your task?
Describe your task and get a clear estimate: what's included, what it costs, and how long it takes. No vague wording.
Frequently asked questions
How much does custom bot development cost?
From 290 euros for a simple lead-capture bot, and from 590 for a sales bot with a funnel. An AI bot with a neuro-assistant starts at 1480. The exact price depends on the scenarios and integrations involved.
Freelancer or team - which should I choose?
For a simple bot, a vetted freelancer works fine and costs less. If the bot affects revenue, involves integrations and AI, a team is the safer bet: you get a contract, documentation, support, and no one leaves you stranded halfway through.
How do I vet a contractor before paying?
Look at live bots you can actually try. Ask about code ownership, hosting, and how extra work is billed. Notice whether they ask about your task or jump straight to a price. You can tell within one conversation.
What if the bot is already built but doesn't work?
First, calmly write up the list of issues and send it to the contractor for a fix under warranty. If the contractor has disappeared, the bot can be rebuilt, but you'll need access to the account and server. Without the code, rebuilding the logic is difficult.
Do I need support after the bot is delivered?
Yes, a minimum of one month's warranty. After that you'll typically need occasional tweaks: new prices, text, scenarios. That's cheap if you hold the code and access and the contractor still knows the project.