Costs that are hard to plan
The bill depends on how much work comes up along the way, and is only known at the end.
Software development · Monthly retainer
TELOS
From hours to results.
A simple, predictable way to grow your software: a fixed monthly fee, a request queue, continuous releases.
Book a call$ new request "Order export"
spec approved
tests 12/12 passed
review ok
release complete
The name
Chronos · χρόνος
Time passing, measured in hours.
Telos · τέλος
The ultimate purpose, the finished result.
Time still matters. But the value lies in what gets delivered.
Why change
Hours measure time, not value
Time spent estimating
Every change goes through an estimate and an approval: time that doesn't turn into software, for either of us.
Talking about hours, not goals
The conversation ends up on time spent, instead of on what your product needs.
What has changed
For years, time was the most honest measure of software development.
Today the way we work has changed, and the right measure is the result.
More structured processes and modern tools make us faster. With a retainer, that change works for both of us: more releases and a predictable cost for you, better organized work for us.
Side by side
Hours and retainer, point by point
| Aspect | Hourly | Retainer |
|---|---|---|
| What is measured | Time spent | Work released |
| Budget | Known at the end | Fixed and known in advance |
| Starting a request | Estimate and approval | Joins the queue and starts |
| Technical surprises | Change the cost | The cost stays fixed |
| Visibility | Summary of hours | Status of every request |
| Collaboration | Work on demand | An ongoing tech team |
The process
From request to release
Request
Describe what you need from your client area.
Spec
We turn it into clear, testable criteria.
Approval
For major changes, you decide before work starts.
Development
Code, automated tests and review.
Release
Acceptance testing, preview and release notes.
Small, clear requests, like a bug fix, skip approval and start right away.
The method
Quality is guaranteed by the process
Spec first
Not a line of code until it's clear what it must do, with written acceptance criteria.
A test for every criterion
Every agreed behavior is checked by automated tests, which also protect future changes.
Double check
An automated code review and acceptance testing by a senior developer before every release.
Modern tools, out in the open
We use AI-assisted development, transparently. Nothing is released without human review.
Transparency
You always know where things stand
- The status of every request
- Written specs, to read and approve
- The history of decisions and answers
- Clear release notes with every delivery
- A monthly summary of the work done
- #142Order exportIn progress
- #141New reportTo approve
- #139PaymentsIn review
- #137Mobile loginReleased
The key idea
We don't count hours. We work on a fixed number of requests at a time.
Open queue
Add as many requests as you like, whenever you like.
Shared priorities
We decide together what comes first.
Continuous flow
As soon as one request is released, the next one starts.
Who it's for
TELOS is for you if your software needs to grow
It's the right choice if
- you have a digital product that keeps evolving
- you want a fixed, predictable budget
- you need a tech team without hiring one
- you want frequent, regular releases
A quote is better if
- you have a one-off, closed project with no planned evolution
- you need an isolated, occasional job
Next step
Let's talk.
A no-commitment intro call to see whether a retainer fits your project.