A good MVP does one valuable job end-to-end for a real user. Everything else waits for version two — that discipline is what keeps builds near the $12k–$18k band.
Must-have before you write a line of code
- Who is the primary user?
- What painful job do they hire the app to do?
- What does “success this quarter” look like (bookings, jobs closed, retention)?
- Which platforms are required on day one?
- Which integrations are non-negotiable vs nice-to-have?
Usually cut from v1
- Admin dashboards that mirror every mobile screen
- Five user roles when two would do
- Custom animations before retention exists
- AI features without a clear data or time-save win
Bring this checklist to your quote call or paste answers into the instant quote.
Natalie Oppenheimer
Founder & CEO, Equestro Labs — building mobile apps with western grit and modern craft.