Choosing the wrong AI development partner can waste months and hundreds of thousands of dollars. This checklist — based on patterns we've seen across 100+ AI projects — helps you evaluate vendors objectively.
The 12-Point Evaluation Checklist
Key criteria: (1) Senior engineer ratio, (2) AI-specific portfolio, (3) Transparent pricing model, (4) Direct tech lead access, (5) Code ownership from day one, (6) Weekly demo cadence, (7) SOC 2 or equivalent compliance, (8) Realistic timeline estimates, (9) Clear IP assignment, (10) Reference clients in your industry, (11) Defined escalation process, (12) Post-launch support plan.
Red Flags to Watch For
Watch out for: vague 'AI expertise' claims without specific project examples, account manager buffers between you and engineers, unusually low rates that indicate junior-heavy teams, no code review process, and firms that promise delivery timelines under industry norms.
📥 Free Download: Vietnam Offshore Dev Cost Guide 2026
Real developer rates, project cost breakdowns, and a budget planning template. Used by 200+ startup founders.
Ready to build?
NKKTech delivers AI Development projects from $30K.
Fixed scope. Senior Vietnam engineers. 14-day kickoff.
Questions to Ask Before Signing
Ask: 'Can I interview the engineers who will work on my project?' 'What happens if a key engineer leaves?' 'How do you handle scope changes?' 'What's your QA process for AI model outputs?' 'Can I see your CI/CD pipeline?' These separate serious partners from body shops.
📥 Free Download: Vietnam Offshore Dev Cost Guide 2026
Real developer rates, project cost breakdowns, and a budget planning template. Used by 200+ startup founders.
Ready to build?
NKKTech delivers AI Development projects from $30K.
Fixed scope. Senior Vietnam engineers. 14-day kickoff.
10+ years building AI systems for Toyota, Sony, and Rakuten in Japan. Founded NKKTech in 2018 with a senior-only engineering model.
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