How to Hire a Developer to Fix Your AI-Built App

You used Cursor, Lovable, Bolt, or Replit to build your app. It works, mostly. But you know it's not ready for real users — there are bugs, security concerns, and features that need polishing. You need a developer. Here's how to find the right one.

Know what you need first

Before you start looking, be specific about what your app needs. "Fix my app" is too vague. Most AI-built apps need work in three categories:

Security hardening — Fixing vulnerabilities that AI tools don't address: exposed API keys, missing input validation, authentication gaps, unprotected database tables.

Stability and reliability — Adding error handling, loading states, edge case handling, and monitoring so the app doesn't crash when real users interact with it in unexpected ways.

Launch readiness — Analytics, SEO, landing page optimisation, and the technical foundations needed for your first marketing push.

Knowing which of these you need helps you find the right person.

Where to find developers

Freelance platforms

Upwork and Toptal are the most common options. You'll find developers at every skill level and price point. The challenge is vetting — the best developers on these platforms are expensive, and cheaper options often lack the security expertise that AI-built apps specifically need.

Pros: Large pool of candidates, flexible engagement, escrow protection. Cons: Time-consuming to vet, quality varies wildly, you're managing the project yourself.

Agencies and specialist teams

Some teams specialise in specific types of work. For AI-built apps, look for teams that understand the common patterns and pitfalls of vibe-coded software. They'll be faster because they've seen the same issues dozens of times.

Pros: Structured process, predictable timelines, broader expertise (design, marketing, security). Cons: Higher cost, less flexibility on scope.

Your network

Ask in founder communities, Twitter, and relevant Discord servers. A recommendation from someone who's worked with a developer is worth more than any portfolio.

What to look for

Security knowledge

This is non-negotiable for AI-built apps. Ask candidates:

• "What would you look for in a security audit of a React + Supabase app?" (For reference, here's our security checklist — a good developer should cover most of these.)
• "How would you handle API key management in a Next.js application?"
• "What's your approach to input validation?"

If they can't give specific, concrete answers, they're not the right fit for this work.

Experience with your stack

AI tools generate code in specific frameworks — and each tool has different strengths, as we cover in our comparison of AI coding tools. If your app is built with React and Supabase (Lovable), you need someone who knows both well. If it's a Next.js app (Cursor), they need to understand the App Router, server actions, and deployment.

Communication style

You'll be working closely with this person for 1-4 weeks. They should be able to explain technical decisions in terms you understand, push back when you're wrong, and give honest timelines.

A clear process

Good developers don't just start coding. They:

1. Review the existing codebase
2. Identify and prioritise issues
3. Propose a plan with clear deliverables
4. Execute in phases with regular check-ins

If someone says "just give me access and I'll fix everything," that's a red flag.

What to expect

Timeline

For a typical vibe-coded app, expect:

• Security audit: 1-2 days
• Critical fixes: 3-5 days
• Full hardening + launch prep: 1-3 weeks

These timelines assume the developer is experienced with AI-generated codebases. A generalist developer who's never seen Lovable output will take longer.

Cost

Rates vary enormously by geography and experience:

• Junior freelancer: $30-60/hour
• Senior freelancer: $100-200/hour
• Specialist agency: Fixed project pricing, typically $2,000-10,000 depending on scope

Cheaper isn't always better. A $50/hour developer who takes 3 weeks costs more than a $150/hour developer who finishes in 5 days — and the faster developer probably delivers better results.

What you should receive

At minimum, expect:

• A documented list of issues found in the audit
• All critical security vulnerabilities patched
• Error handling and monitoring configured
• A working deployment pipeline
• A brief handoff document explaining what was changed

Red flags

Watch out for:

• No questions about your app — A good developer asks about your users, your goals, and your constraints before touching code
• Unrealistically low estimates — If someone says they can fully harden your app in 2 hours, they're not planning to do thorough work
• No mention of security — If security isn't the first thing they bring up when reviewing an AI-built app, they don't understand the problem
• Refusal to explain changes — You should understand what's being done to your codebase and why

The alternative: specialist teams

If managing a freelancer feels like too much overhead, teams that specialise in vibe-coded software handle the full process: audit, fix, harden, and launch. You hand over the app and get back a production-ready product.

This is what we do at Last Hurdle. Request a free audit and we'll send you a 5-point security snapshot within 48 hours — no commitment, no sales pitch. You'll know exactly what your app needs before spending anything.