Buyer Q&A
Common Questions About AI Implementation and Custom Software
Direct answers to the questions buyers ask when evaluating AI implementation and software development vendors. Written for operations leaders and founders — no technical background required.
What does the Answers section cover?
The Code and Trust Answers section covers the six buyer question categories that arise in every AI implementation evaluation: cost and pricing, AI fundamentals, project timelines, vendor selection criteria, engagement process, and technology explanations. Every answer is written for a business decision-maker, not an engineer.
Cost & Pricing
What software development costs, how fixed-price works, and what determines the final number.
AI Basics
What AI implementation actually is, when it applies, and what "AI-ready" means for your operation.
Timelines
How long projects take, what the milestones look like, and when you see working software.
Vendor Selection
How to evaluate AI implementation firms, what questions to ask, and what red flags to watch for.
Process
How Code and Trust engagements work from audit through post-launch support.
Technology
Plain-language explanations of the technologies used — without requiring a technical background.
Common buyer questions
The questions below represent the most frequent evaluation criteria buyers raise when considering AI implementation or custom software development. Each links to a full answer page with expanded context, related questions, and — where relevant — specific examples from Code and Trust engagements.
Cost & Pricing
How much does custom software development cost?
Custom software at Code and Trust is fixed-price. Most projects run $35K-$120K. The workflow audit (2 weeks, $5K) is credited toward the final cost.
Read full answer →AI Basics
What is AI implementation?
AI implementation is the process of integrating AI capabilities into your existing business operations — not buying a generic tool, but building a system around your specific workflows.
Read full answer →Timelines
How long does software development take?
Most Code and Trust builds run 10-16 weeks from audit to production. You see working software at week 4, not a slide deck.
Read full answer →Process
What is a workflow audit and why does it come first?
A workflow audit maps your existing processes against current AI capabilities — identifying exactly where automation creates measurable ROI before any code is written.
Read full answer →Cost & Pricing
What is the difference between fixed-price and hourly billing for software?
Fixed-price means one number before work begins — no billing surprises. Hourly billing means the final cost is unknown until the project ends. We only do fixed-price.
Read full answer →AI Basics
Does my business actually need AI?
AI is worth implementing when it eliminates a repeatable, high-volume manual process. A workflow audit tells you whether that is true for your operation — before you spend anything on a build.
Read full answer →How these answers are written
Every answer in this section starts with a direct 40-60 word response to the question — the complete answer, not a preview. Expanded context follows. Specific numbers are used wherever accurate: cost ranges, timelines, percentage outcomes. Vague claims like 'fast' or 'affordable' are avoided because they do not help buyers make decisions.
Direct first
The answer appears in the first paragraph, not after three paragraphs of context. If you can only read one sentence, it gives you the core answer.
Specific numbers
Cost ranges, timelines, and outcome percentages are cited where accurate. "Faster" is not an answer. "3-6 months faster than hiring in-house" is.
No technical jargon
Written for operations leaders and founders — people who make buying decisions, not engineers who implement them. Technical terms are defined when necessary.
Do not see your question?
Schedule a 30-minute call. We will answer your specific questions about AI implementation, software cost, and project fit — and tell you honestly whether Code and Trust is the right option for your situation.