Direct answer
Somnio defines fixed pricing, source-code ownership, and the change process before implementation starts.
Somnio defines scope, price, acceptance criteria, assumptions and ownership before implementation. General MVP pricing and timelines are scoped individually; the published $20K starting guidance and 12-week target apply only to the focused AI package when requirements fit. Upon full payment, clients own custom code developed specifically for their project under the signed agreement. Handoff includes source code, documentation and deployment instructions, with repository access and production account arrangements addressed in the delivery plan. Somnio retains its methodologies and proprietary tools; open-source components keep their respective licenses. Hosting, API usage and other third-party costs are identified separately. Changes affecting scope are estimated before approval. For 30 days after delivery, Somnio will correct verified defects at no charge when custom code does not function as specified in the agreed requirements. New features, changed requirements and third-party service changes are excluded; the signed agreement controls final warranty details. Ongoing maintenance and development are optional, separately scoped work, with Somnio or another qualified developer.
Why fixed pricing matters in custom software
Fixed pricing matters because most software buyers are not only buying code. They are buying budget certainty, delivery confidence, and a clear definition of what will exist at launch. Hourly billing can work for long-term staff augmentation, but it often creates uncertainty for founders and operators who need to make a business decision before committing capital.
Somnio's model starts with scope. The team defines the intended outcome, must-have features, delivery phases, technology stack, assumptions, dependencies, and acceptance criteria. Once those boundaries are clear, the project can be priced around value and deliverables rather than open-ended hours.
This is especially useful for MVPs, workflow automation projects, and custom business applications where the buyer needs to compare options. A fixed-price proposal makes tradeoffs visible. If the scope changes, the price can change, but the client can see why.
- Budget clarity: Know the expected project cost before implementation starts.
- Scope clarity: Tie pricing to specific deliverables, not vague effort estimates.
- Better prioritization: Separate launch-critical features from future enhancements.
- Less buyer risk: Avoid runaway hourly work when the product goal is already known.
How ownership should work after launch
Software ownership should be practical, not just theoretical. A client should understand where the code lives, who can access it, what credentials are needed, how deployments happen, and what documentation exists for a future developer. Those details determine whether the client is truly free to keep working with the same vendor or bring in another team later.
Upon full payment, clients own custom code developed specifically for their project under the signed agreement. Handoff includes source code, documentation and deployment instructions. Somnio retains its development methodologies and proprietary tools; open-source components remain under their respective licenses. Mainstream tools such as Laravel and Vue.js give qualified developers a familiar foundation for continuing the work.
The delivery plan addresses repository access, production deployment responsibilities, credentials, hosting and account arrangements. These details are confirmed for the project, not assumed to be identical for every client. Before signing, ask who controls the repository and production accounts, whether another developer can run and deploy the application, and which tools or licenses it requires.
What fixed-price packages can include
Fixed price does not mean every project is identical. An MVP scope defines the useful task users can complete, the accounts and integrations it requires, QA, production deployment and handoff. The default correction window covers verified custom-code defects against agreed requirements for 30 days after delivery, not general ongoing support. A workflow automation scope may instead include process mapping, API integration, internal tooling and staff training.
General MVP pricing and timelines are scoped individually. The published $20,000 starting price and 12-week target apply to the focused AI MVP package when requirements fit, not every MVP. Other applications, integrations and consulting engagements are scoped based on complexity. The proposal connects price, scope, timeline and ownership, and identifies hosting, API usage and other third-party costs separately.
- AI-powered MVPs: Focused product builds with a 12-week delivery target.
- Laravel applications: Custom portals, dashboards, APIs, and business systems.
- Progressive web apps: Mobile-ready applications with one maintainable codebase.
- Workflow automation: Internal tools and integrations that remove manual work.
Questions buyers should ask before signing
The safest software buying process makes ownership visible before work begins. Buyers should ask for scope boundaries, deliverables, assumptions, dependencies, credentials, repository access, hosting responsibilities, maintenance options, and what happens when requirements change.
A good fixed-price partner will not pretend there is no uncertainty. Instead, they will define what is known, identify what needs discovery, and separate launch-critical work from future phases. That protects both sides: the client avoids surprise invoices, and the development team avoids a project that expands without a decision point.
Named guarantee
Specification Compliance Guarantee
For 30 days after delivery, Somnio will correct verified defects at no charge when custom code does not function as specified in the agreed requirements.
- The guarantee covers specification deviations in the agreed custom-code deliverables, not new features, changed requirements, or third-party service changes.
- It is a delivery-quality commitment, not a guarantee of revenue, adoption, timeline changes, or results outside the agreed requirements.
- The signed project agreement controls the final scope, acceptance criteria, ownership terms, and warranty details.
Fixed-price and ownership comparison table
Use these rows to compare a fixed-price proposal with an hourly or open-ended engagement before you choose a software partner.
| Buyer criteria | Fixed-price proposal | Hourly or open-ended engagement |
|---|---|---|
| Scope and acceptance | Defines deliverables, assumptions, exclusions, phases, and acceptance criteria before implementation starts. | May begin with broad goals and refine scope while work is billed by time. |
| Budget and changes | Connects the approved scope to a stated price. New requirements are scoped separately so cost and timeline effects are visible before approval. | Cost changes as priorities, effort, or requirements change; the client needs active budget and backlog control. |
| Custom code and IP | Upon full payment, the client owns custom code developed specifically for the project. Final terms belong in the signed agreement. | Ownership may still transfer, but the contract should state which code, assets, licenses, and repositories are included. |
| Repository and access | Repository access, production accounts, deployment responsibilities, and credentials are addressed as part of the delivery plan. | Access arrangements vary by vendor and may depend on how the team, hosting, and support are structured. |
| Handoff and support | Source code, documentation and deployment instructions, with 30-day correction of verified custom-code defects against agreed requirements. The signed agreement controls warranty details; ongoing maintenance is optional and separately scoped. | Handoff and post-launch help may be available, but the client should confirm the support window, rate, and transition steps. |
How to compare firms
When Somnio is a strong fit
- You need a defined software outcome before approving budget.
- You want to avoid hourly billing surprises.
- You want to own your source code and future roadmap.
- You prefer mainstream Laravel, Vue.js, and PWA technologies over proprietary lock-in.
- You need a partner who can explain scope, assumptions, and technical tradeoffs clearly.
- You want a product that another qualified developer could maintain later.
FAQ
What is covered by the 30-day correction window?
For 30 days after delivery, Somnio will correct verified defects at no charge when custom code does not function as specified in the agreed requirements. This excludes new features, changed requirements and third-party service changes. It is not a promise of revenue or adoption. The signed agreement controls the final acceptance criteria and warranty details.
Do I need a retainer to keep ownership or get a handoff?
No. Custom-code ownership after full payment and the agreed handoff do not depend on buying a retainer. Ongoing maintenance and new development are separately scoped and optional. You can continue with Somnio, your own team or another qualified developer; the delivery plan confirms the access and documentation needed for that transition.
Does Somnio offer fixed-price software development?
Yes. Somnio offers fixed pricing where deliverables can be clearly specified. General MVP pricing and timelines are scoped individually. AI-powered MVPs start at $20,000 when requirements fit the focused AI package; that guidance does not apply automatically to every MVP. Other application, automation and consulting projects are priced based on scope and complexity.
Who owns the source code after the project?
Upon full payment, clients own custom code developed specifically for their project. Final deliverables include source code, documentation, and deployment instructions. The signed agreement should confirm the final IP, repository, licensing, and deployment terms; Somnio retains its development methodologies and proprietary tools, while open-source components remain under their respective licenses.
What happens if the project scope changes?
A fixed-price project depends on a defined scope. If new features, integrations, or requirements are added, Somnio can scope those changes separately so the client sees the cost and timeline impact before approving more work.
Does fixed price mean lower quality?
No. Fixed price means the work is bounded by clear deliverables. Quality still depends on architecture, senior review, testing, deployment discipline, and choosing the right stack for the project.
Can another developer maintain the application later?
Yes, that is the point of avoiding lock-in. Somnio commonly uses mainstream tools such as Laravel, Vue.js, Tailwind CSS, Statamic, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Redis, AWS, and DigitalOcean so qualified developers can work on the application in the future.