--- title: "How we work" description: "How BlueField Digital works with clients: a free 30-minute intro call, scoping, a written proposal, milestones with regular demos, and support after launch. Pricing, timelines, NDAs and FAQs." canonical: https://bluefielddigital.com/how-we-work/ --- # How we work From the first call to launch, and what happens after. ## The process 1. Step 1 ### Intro call Free · 30 min We learn what you're trying to build, what exists today and any constraints. You leave with a clear idea of how we'd approach it. 2. Step 2 ### Scoping Days, not weeks A few days of back-and-forth for clear projects, or a short paid discovery when the scope is complex or unclear. 3. Step 3 ### Proposal In writing Scope, milestones and price, agreed before any build work starts. 4. Step 4 ### Build in milestones Demo every 1–2 weeks Working software early and often, so you can steer as it takes shape. 5. Step 5 ### Launch and support 30 days included Bug fixes for 30 days after launch, then an optional monthly retainer for monitoring, fixes and improvements. Pricing **No minimum** Focused work can start from around $500. Larger builds are scoped individually, with a fixed price or a monthly retainer. Timelines **MVPs in 3–7 days** Focused MVPs can ship in as little as 3–7 days, depending on scope. Larger builds run in milestones. ## Ways to work together Pick what fits now; it's easy to change as the work evolves. ### Fixed-scope project A defined outcome, a fixed price and agreed milestones. Best for Well-defined builds, MVPs, migrations ### Monthly retainer Ongoing development and support, including engineers embedded with your team. Best for Products that keep evolving, post-launch support ### Discovery or audit A short, paid look at your idea, codebase or infrastructure, ending in a clear plan. Best for Unclear scope, taking over an existing system ### Advisory hours Focused technical guidance from engineers who build these systems. Best for Architecture reviews, second opinions ## What you can count on ### A dedicated lead engineer From the first call through launch, with specialists in AI, data, infrastructure or frontend joining as the work needs them. ### You own what we build Code and IP are yours once paid for. We're happy to sign your NDA, or a mutual one. ### Least-privilege access We work in your cloud accounts and repositories with MFA, keep credentials in a vault, and remove access when we're done. ### Your data stays yours Never used to train public models. We use AI providers' business APIs and can keep everything in your own cloud. ## Questions people ask ## Ready to talk it through? Tell us what you want to get done. We'll tell you honestly how we'd approach it, and whether we're the right fit. [Send a message](https://bluefielddigital.com/contact/?tab=message) ## Questions people ask ### How much does a project cost? Pricing depends on scope, so we quote once we understand the work: a fixed price for well-defined projects, or a monthly retainer for ongoing work. There is no minimum. Focused pieces of work can start from around $500, and larger builds are scoped individually. Prices are in US dollars. ### How long does a project take? Focused MVPs can ship in as little as 3–7 days, depending on scope. Larger builds run in milestones, with a working demo every week or two. Start dates are confirmed on the intro call. ### Will you sign an NDA? Who owns the code? Yes, we're happy to sign your NDA, or a mutual one. You own the code and IP we build for you once it's paid for. We keep only general know-how and any pre-existing tools we bring. ### Who works on my project? Every project has a dedicated lead engineer from the first call through launch. Specialists in AI, data, infrastructure or frontend join as the work needs them. You'll meet your lead on the intro call. ### Can you take over an existing codebase? Yes. We start with a short paid code and infrastructure audit, usually one to two weeks. You get a clear list of risks and a plan. We don't assume a rewrite. ### Do you provide support after launch? Every project includes a 30-day period of bug fixes after launch. After that, many clients keep us on a monthly support retainer covering monitoring, fixes and improvements. Out-of-hours on-call can be arranged as part of that. ### Can you embed engineers in our team? We can embed engineers with your team as part of a retainer, working to goals we agree on together. We don't do pure placements. ### Will our data be used to train AI models? Your data isn't used to train public models. We use AI providers' business APIs, which don't train on your inputs, and we can keep everything in your own cloud when needed. ### How do you handle security on our systems? We work inside your cloud accounts and repositories with least-privilege access and MFA, keep credentials in a vault, and remove our access when the work ends. ### Which industries do you work with? We're not tied to one industry. Our work spans research and document intelligence, consumer apps, energy and mining operations, AI tooling and SaaS. We're used to sensitive data and compliance work like SOC 2. Specific requirements such as HIPAA are something to discuss on the intro call. ### Which technologies do you use? Our core stack is Python, Django, React and Node, on AWS, GCP and Azure with Terraform and Kubernetes. We've also used dbt, Airflow and Databricks in production. If you're on something else, ask: we'll tell you honestly whether we're the right fit. ### Where are you based? We're US-based, on Central Time, and work with clients across the US and internationally, with overlapping working hours. ### Do you take small projects? Yes for well-defined small pieces of work, audits and advisory hours. We're not the right fit for small website edits or WordPress-style work. ### How quickly will I hear back? We reply to messages within one business day. During working hours, a person can often join the website chat within minutes.