How much does it cost to fix an AI-built app?

It is the first question almost everyone asks, and the honest answer is: it depends. But it does not depend on luck. The same few things decide whether a fix takes an afternoon or a month.

What makes a fix small

• The problem is in one place, like logins or one broken feature
• The app uses common tools that many developers know
• You can describe the problem clearly and show how to repeat it
• There is a working version saved somewhere

Settings problems, like a login redirect or a missing environment variable, often take a few hours at most.

What makes a fix bigger

• Security gaps across the whole database
• The same bugs coming back after every change
• Real users and real data that must not be lost during the work
• A move to another backend or platform

A full cleanup of a small app usually takes days to a few weeks of work. A migration off a platform can take longer.

How to keep the cost down

1. Stop asking the AI for more fixes on top of a broken state. Each round can make the job bigger.
2. Write a clear brief. Our guide on briefing a developer shows what to send.
3. Start with a review. A short code or security review tells you what really needs work before you commit to more.
4. Fix safety first, polish later.

Fixed price, not open-ended

Whatever the size, insist on a fixed estimate before work starts. Every request sent through Handfixed gets one, free and with no obligation. Describe your app here.