Questions and answers
What people usually ask before working with us. If your question isn’t here, get in touch and ask it directly.
Getting started
- How do I start a project with Base Foundry?
- Book a free systems assessment. It’s a phone conversation about how your business runs today and where it gets stuck. You can book a time online at basefoundry.ca/book or call +1 204-770-0005.
- What happens during the free assessment?
- You walk us through how the work gets done now, and we ask questions. We look at repetitive admin, tools that don’t share data, slow reporting and anything at risk, such as an old server or untested backups. At the end you get next steps, starting with the first thing we’d change.
- Do I need to know exactly what I want built before I get in touch?
- No. Most people start with a problem, not a specification. Describing how the work happens today is enough, and working out what to build is part of our job.
- Will you tell me if I don’t need custom software?
- Yes. An off-the-shelf product, a small change to how you use your current tools, or leaving things alone is sometimes the better answer, and if so we’ll say so.
Cost and timing
- How much does a custom website or custom software cost?
- It depends on what the project involves, so every project gets a fixed quote after the free assessment. The main things that drive cost are the number of pages or screens, how many other systems it has to connect to, how many kinds of users need different access, how much existing data has to be moved, and whether the content is ready.
- Why don’t you publish prices?
- Because two projects with the same name can differ a lot in effort. A booking page for one location and a booking system across several locations with payments and staff rules are both “booking systems”. A fixed quote based on your situation is more useful than a range that might not apply to you.
- Do you work to a fixed price?
- Yes. If there’s something worth building, we write a fixed-scope proposal in plain language, so you know what you’re paying for before any work starts.
- How long does a project take?
- It depends on the scope, and the proposal sets out the schedule. We build in stages, so you can use working parts of the system early rather than waiting for everything at the end.
Ownership and support
- Who owns the code and the website when the project is finished?
- You do. Once the project is paid for, the code, design and content belong to you, and you get full access to the code repository, hosting accounts and domain.
- What happens after launch?
- We can keep looking after it. Maintenance covers security and software updates, uptime monitoring, backups and a set number of hours each month for small improvements, with one person who knows your system.
- Can you host my website or application?
- Yes. We host sites and applications on modern infrastructure and take care of SSL certificates, DNS, backups and monitoring. Because you own everything, you can move it elsewhere whenever you want.
Working together
- Do you use AI in the software you build?
- Only where it does a task reliably. Good uses include searching your own documents, drafting first versions of replies and sorting incoming requests. Anything an AI produces that reaches a customer goes past a person first.
- Who will I deal with during a project?
- A named person who knows your project, from the first call through to support after launch. You won’t be passed between departments.
Tell us what you’re working with
Book a free assessment and we’ll talk through your current setup. You’ll come away with next steps.
Prefer the phone? Call Amarjot Gill at +1 204-770-0005.