Services
Consulting
Advice from someone who actually ships
I've shipped 13 production apps solo: web, Discord bots, AI systems, games platforms, CRMs. When I give you advice on architecture, stack, or AI strategy, it's grounded in what I'd actually do. Not what sounds good in a slide deck.
Areas I cover
Architecture Review
I read your codebase and tell you what's going to break under scale and what's already broken. Not a report. A direct conversation about what I'd change and why.
- Database schema and query patterns
- API design and auth flow audit
- Dependency and bundle risk assessment
Stack Selection
I've built across Next.js, Python, Rust, Go, and a dozen third-party integrations. When you're choosing a stack, you want input from someone who has shipped across them, not a benchmark chart.
- Framework selection for your specific use case
- Hosting and infrastructure recommendations
- Tradeoffs explained in plain language
AI Strategy
Most teams add AI to things where it doesn't help and skip the places where it would make a 10x difference. I'll tell you the difference. I've shipped real AI systems, and I know where the hype ends.
- Where AI actually saves time in your workflow
- Build vs. buy decisions for AI tooling
- Agent architecture for your specific domain
Technical Due Diligence
If you're buying, investing in, or acquiring a software product, I'll evaluate the codebase, infrastructure, and technical risk. I give you a plain-language assessment, not a 90-page report.
- Codebase quality and maintainability scoring
- Security and compliance surface review
- Rebuild risk and cost estimation
How it works
01
Intake
You send me the context: repo access, architecture docs, or a written description of the problem. I review it async before we ever get on a call.
02
Deep Dive
For audits: I spend 4-8 hours in your codebase. For strategy calls: I come prepared with specific questions. Either way, you're getting someone who did the homework.
03
Deliverable
You get a clear, prioritized list of what to fix, what to keep, and what to build next. Written deliverable plus a live walkthrough call. No 90-page report that collects dust.
Who this is for
Startup CTOs & founders
You're making stack decisions, planning architecture, or evaluating AI feasibility. You need a second opinion from someone who has shipped, not a consultant who only advises.
Teams without senior engineers
Your team is building fast but needs architectural guidance. You want a senior voice for code reviews, design decisions, and tech debt prioritization without a full-time hire.
Investors & acquirers
You're evaluating a software company and need an honest technical assessment. Codebase quality, rebuild risk, security posture, and scalability, all in plain language.
What clients say
“Most developers give you a template and call it custom. David actually listened to how we recruit agents, understood the dual-path model, and built a site that converts. The design feels premium without looking like every other real estate site.”
“I've worked with agencies that take months and deliver less than what David ships in a week. He built our Discord bot architecture for a server with Gilbert Arenas and Jeremy Lin as members: role management, content moderation, anti-spam, all running 24/7 without a single outage.”
Why it matters
13 apps shipped
Solo. No agency, no team
4 platforms in production
Serving real users daily
0 abandoned projects
Every engagement delivered
3+ industries
Real estate, esports, SaaS, entertainment
How to engage
Strategy Call
60 minOne focused call. You bring the problem, I give you a direct take. Architecture question, AI roadmap, stack decision, anything technical.
Codebase Audit
Async + 60 min debriefI review your repo, document the issues, and walk you through everything on a call. You leave with a clear prioritized list.
Ongoing Retainer
MonthlyWeekly check-ins, async Q&A, and code reviews. For teams that need a senior technical voice available without a full hire.
Pricing
Strategy calls are $150/hr. Architecture review packages run $1K to $3K depending on codebase size and complexity, and that includes async review, a written deliverable, and a debrief call. Monthly retainers for ongoing guidance start at $1.5K. I only take on engagements where I can actually move the needle.
Related case studies
Frequently asked questions
What does a consulting session include?
A 60-minute focused call where I give you a direct take on your problem: architecture question, AI roadmap, stack decision, or anything technical. For codebase audits, I also spend 4-8 hours in your repo beforehand and deliver a written prioritized findings doc.
How much does web development consulting cost?
Strategy calls are $150/hr with a one-hour minimum. Architecture review packages run $1K to $3K depending on codebase size, including async review, a written deliverable, and a debrief call. Monthly retainers start at $1.5K.
Can you review our existing codebase?
Yes. I spend 4-8 hours reading your code, document the issues, and walk you through everything on a 60-minute debrief call. You leave with a prioritized list: critical issues, architectural risks, quick wins, and a recommended roadmap.
Do you offer ongoing advisory retainers?
Yes. Monthly retainers include weekly check-ins, async Q&A, and code reviews. It's for teams that need a senior technical voice available without committing to a full-time hire.
Book a call. Tell me the problem.
Book a 60-minute call. Bring your problem. I'll tell you exactly what I think. No upsell, no vague frameworks.
// AUDIT ME FIRST
Pick any surface. Inspect it before you book.
Pricing, risk, and regressions all live in public tools. The answer to 'is this person worth paying?' is searchable.
From the blog
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