Frequently asked questions
These are the same answers you'd get in a first call, just faster. Missing a question? Write us: benjamin@outecho.com
Working together
How fast can an engineer start?
Typically within 2 weeks of first contact, in the fastest case under a week. The flow: profile within 24 hours on business days, interview the same week, contract and start right after.
How do the two free weeks work?
The engineer works as a regular part of your team: real tasks, your tools, your meetings. The agreement is signed before day one and carries a zero-fee clause: opt out at the end of the two weeks and you pay nothing, no invoice, no justification needed. If you stay, the contract simply continues, cancellable at month's end.
Is the engineer exclusive to us?
Yes. Full-time engagements are dedicated to your engagement. The engineer works to your priorities and your cadence.
What happens if the engineer is out long-term or leaves?
Then it's our problem, not yours: we typically provide a vetted replacement within 15 working days, onboarding at our cost. For context: our co-founder's last client engagement ran 5 years without interruption. Our engagements are built to last years, not months.
Can we hire the engineer permanently later?
Yes. Direct hiring is possible, for a pre-agreed placement fee. We don't block. Just talk to us when the time comes.
Contract & legal
Who do we contract with?
With Outecho, Sarajevo, as your single counterparty. One invoice, one contact, one accountable party. The engineers are under contract with us; equipment, security policies and confidentiality are guaranteed by us. Happy to send you our contract template upfront.
How is GDPR covered?
We work on your paper: send us your data processing agreement and Standard Contractual Clauses and we will review and sign them. Our technical and organisational measures, sub-processor list and AI-tool policy are ready to send today. All engineers are bound by NDAs.
How flexible is the contract?
Open-ended agreement, cancellable at month's end, no minimum volume, no hidden costs. Billed twice monthly for hours actually worked, payable within 14 days. What you owe never runs more than two weeks ahead of the work delivered.
What currency do you bill in?
In EUR, twice monthly, by invoice, payable within 14 days. No exchange-rate risk, no surprises.
Quality & team
How does Outecho vet engineers?
In stages: technical interview, code review of real work, English check, and reference calls with previous clients. Only a fraction of applicants get listed. Nobody is listed who has not passed that vetting, and you interview them yourself before the start.
Why are real hourly rates on the website?
So you can run the numbers before ever talking to us. Nobody else in our industry shows prices. We think that's a mistake. Transparency isn't a slogan here, it's how we work: real profiles, real availability, real rates.
Why not just hire in-house?
You can, if you're ready for 3–6 months of searching, recruiting costs, and full termination risk. Many of our clients use us precisely as a bridge until the permanent hire lands. Some find the bridge holds, and stay.
Why not Toptal or Upwork?
Upwork means you vet, manage and carry the risk yourself. Toptal brokers freelancers through a US platform, at rates from roughly $90/hour. With us: engineers under long-term contract with Outecho, same time zone, one accountable counterparty, about half the rate, and you talk to the founders, not an account manager.
Other
Does Outecho only work with companies in certain countries?
No. We work with companies across Europe. EUR billing, the CET time zone and our contract structure work anywhere in Europe. Write to us wherever you are based.
Question not covered? Write us.
Get in touchLast updated: Sep 11, 2026