Laravel Development: A Walkthrough In 2024 - Part 3

Introduction

In the previous blog, we read about the advantages of Laravel Development and the best combinations to use with Laravel. Further, we also read about Laravel ecosystems to watch out for, its security features & the trends to watch out for. Lastly, we learn why choosing Laravel for your web & app development is important.

In this blog we’ll purely focus on the cost of Laravel Development, we’ll also figure its cost based on various aspects. So, keep your notes ready and let’s learn about Laravel Development cost in detail.

Moreover, if you missed out reading the first two parts of the series I would recommend you to have a read at it before heading into the third part.

Read Laravel Development: A Walkthrough in 2024 - Part 1

Read Laravel Development: A Walkthrough in 2024 - Part 2

Let’s get started and learn everything you need to know about Laravel Development Cost

Let’s first understand the responsibilities of a Laravel Developer before diving into understanding the cost of Laravel Development.

What are the responsibilities of a Laravel Developer?

Imagine you are looking to work with a development team that is an expert in Laravel & is a pro in developing web applications in such a case, you should look for specific technological & organizational skills of the hired professional team. Below are a few responsibilities of a Laravel Developer.

Knowledge of Coding

Every web development team member would definitely be  an expert in Laravel, Javascript, etc. languages. They need to showcase their expertise by showing their coding skills by developing systems for corporate, online & real-time contexts,

Database Knowledge

A database management ability is what makes a lot of difference in deciding whether your application would be accepted or rejected. To get the most of this, you should make sure you choose developers who have developed apps similar to you in the past. 

Moreover, they would also have a track record in successfully interacting with DBMSs which includes MySQL, Microsoft SQL & Oracle 12c, etc.

MVC & OOP Knowledge

Your development team members should be aware of OOP & MVC. Moreover, they should also possess knowledge about concepts like classes, methods, objects, etc. By setting an interview with them you can figure out if they possess knowledge on any of the above.

Proficiency in Developing websites

The cost of hiring a Laravel developer depends on various factors like their experience with various project management models. Moreover, it is necessary to find out about their experience with web development methodologies & their ability to handle ad hoc problems.

Soft Skills

The Laravel developer should possess a variety of skills, such as good communication, confidence, a positive outlook, etc. skills to complete the project in time. These skills also include the ability to work with others, reporting regularly & meeting deadlines, etc.

Now, let’s understand the Factors influencing the cost of Laravel Developers

Factors influencing the cost of Laravel Developers

Skill level & experience

The cost of hiring Laravel developers depends on their experience and skills. Expert developers charge more because they are better at their job and can work faster with fewer errors. Although they are more expensive, they can save you money in the long run by doing the job more efficiently. On the other hand, less experienced developers may cost less but might not work as quickly or accurately.

Offshore vs Onshore development teams

The cost of hiring Laravel developers can change based on whether you hire them as your own employees or use outside firms or freelancers. Hiring your own developers usually means consistent salaries and benefits, while outsourcing allows more flexibility in costs. Outsourcing might seem cheaper at first, but working with remote teams can have its own challenges. Hiring locally may cost more upfront, but outsourcing, especially to other countries, can be less expensive.

Type of Engagement

Based on the engagement being done, costs may vary. Hiring a Laravel Developer is based on three options. First is a retainer basis, the second one is a fixed-price contract or the last one is hiring them on an hourly basis.

For each kind of engagement, there are different cost structures available. For instance the cost of a fixed-price contract would contrast with that of an hourly rate structure.

Maintenance & support assistance

When planning your budget for a Laravel project, remember to include costs for future maintenance and support. Laravel apps need regular updates, bug fixes, and enhancements. Adding funds for after-launch care ensures your app stays secure and works well.

Project Timeline

The cash involved in the project may differ when your project is completed. When the developers need to fulfill an urgent deadline they might need to hire more Laravel developers. Not only this, if the need arises they might also need to put in longer hours of work which might lead to an increase in the cost.

Whereas, on the other side a more flexible timeline would help developers to work at their own desirable pace. Doing this will ensure your costs are possibly lower.

Location

The location of a Laravel developer would prove to be a significant point in the fluctuation of the costs. Laravel developers would charge higher for their services if they are located in high-cost areas In the contrast situation, developers would work at a lower cost if they are from a low-cost area.

Now, let’s understand what is the cost of hiring an in-house Laravel developer vs the cost of hiring a developer through outsourcing.

Cost Comparison: In-House Laravel Developer vs Outsourcing Laravel Developer

If your company plans to Hire Laravel developers, you should consider several important points.

Pay & perks

There are instances when you would have to keep some portion of money aside when hiring an in-house Laravel developer. This could include compensation for paid time off, recruitment contributions & health insurance. 

Extra expenses

An in-house recruitment would also incur overhead expenses like software licensing, buying an office space, etc. These fees would be relatively high, particularly when you need to provide some specialized tools & workspace.

Training & commitments

When you are employing and hiring an in-house developer there are some recruitment costs involved. Expenses like recruitment cost, job posting expense, interview time, etc. Moreover, there are also some costs like expenses for training the employee involved in the final costing.

Long-term commitments

While hiring an in-house developer would require a long-term commitment which might be only advantageous in long term projects. This recruitment might not sound an economical idea if implemented for a shorter duration.

Now, let’s get into the most important segment of this article the Cost of Hiring Laravel Developer based on different aspects

What is the Cost of Hiring Laravel Developers

In this section of the article we’ll learn about the various price structures that contribute towards the final cost of hiring a Laravel Developer. Let’s start with the first one

Cost of Laravel Developers: Based on Skill Level & Experience

The level and experience of the developer would impact the pricing greatly. An highly skilled developer would definitely charge a higher price as compared to the one with a lesser experience.

Their skills & expertise justifies the prices charged by them. Let’s find out the pricing of Laravel developers based on their experience.

The below table highlights the average charge based on the experience of the Laravel Developer. 

Do check that out!

Expertise of the Laravel Developer

Pricing

Junior Laravel Developer

$25-$60 per hour

Mid-level Laravel Developer

$60-$100 per hour

Senior Laravel Developer

$100-$150+ per hour

Cost of Laravel Developers: Based on Project Scope & Complexity

Simple Project

A simple project would require less expertise and the time required to complete the project would be relatively lesser. As less skill & less time is required the cost of hiring Laravel Developer for this project would be comparatively low.

Complex Project

A feature-rich application would require a set of specialized skills. Moreover, this project would also require more time & multiple integrations, thus the cost for hiring Laravel developers would be higher.

Cost of Laravel Developers: Based on Location

Based on location I’ve divided the cost of hiring Laravel developers by bifurcating it into two: first Cost of hiring In-house Laravel Developers & second Cost of hiring remote Laravel developers.

Below is a table comparing salaries of Laravel developers based on their location & experience level.

Location

Junior Laravel Developer

Middle Level Laravel Developer

Senior Laravel Developer

North America

$45000 - $60000

$60000 - $98000

$98000 - $160000

Western Europe

$35000 - $60000

$60000 - $100000

$100000 - $150000

Eastern Europe

$20000 - $42000

$42000 - $72000

$72000 - $100000

South America

$15000 - $20000

$30000 - $50000

$50000 - $80000

Asia

$8000 - $20000

$20000 - $40000

$40000 - $70000

Africa

$7000 - $15000

$15000 - $35000

$35000 - $70000

Australia

$50000 - $80000

$80000 - $120000

$120000 - $180000

Middle East

$20000 - $45000

$45000 - $75000

$75000 - $120000

Canada

$50000 - $80000

$80000 - $120000

$120000 - $180000

United Kingdom

$35000 - $60000

$60000 - $100000

$100000 - $150000

Now, let’s understand the cost of hiring remote Laravel developers based on experience & countries.

Location

Junior Laravel Developer

Middle Level Laravel Developer

Senior Laravel Developer

North America

$60000 - $80000

$80000 - $100000

$110000 - $150000

Western Europe

$40000 - $60000

$60000 - $80000

$80000 - $120000

Eastern Europe

$20000 - $40000

$40000 - $60000

$60000 - $90000

South America

$15000 - $30000

$30000 - $45000

$45000 - $75000

Asia (India)

$10000 - $20000

$20000 - $30000

$30000 - $50000

Asia (Philippines)

$8000 - $18000

$18000 - $28000

$28000 - $45000

Africa (Nigeria)

$7000 - $15000

$15000 - $25000

$25000 - $40000

Middle East

$15000 - $30000

$30000 - $45000

$45000 - $70000

Australia

$50000 - $70000

$70000 - $100000

$100000 - $150000

Canada

$50000 - $70000

$70000 - $100000

$100000 - $150000

Cost of Laravel Developers: Based on Hiring Model

Freelance Developers

Hiring a freelance developer is the most cost-effective option, but while managing a freelance developer can be costly. There are a few challenges like communication challenges and complicated project management.

Development Agencies

An outsourcing agency will provide a one-stop solution for meeting the project needs, mostly consisting of developers with diverse skills. Despite being so convenient, the approach typically is very costly.

Now, let’s understand some Cost Structures that can help you decide the best ways to meet your hiring needs.

What are various Cost Structures for Hiring Laravel Developers

When hiring Laravel experts, you'll encounter different payment methods, each with its pros and cons.

There are namely three cost structures available for Hiring Laravel Developers

Hourly Rates

• Clients pay Laravel experts an hourly rate for the time they work. 

• This method is flexible, letting clients adjust the project size as needed. 

• Hourly rates work well for projects where the scope isn't clear from the start, as clients only pay for the time the specialists work.

Fixed-Price Contracts

• In fixed-price contracts, the cost is set before the project starts. 

• Clients pay this set amount no matter how much time or effort the Laravel expert puts in. 

• These contracts are best for projects with clear, unchanging requirements.

Project-Based Pricing

• Project-based pricing means setting a total fee for the whole project, no matter how long it takes. 

• This method gives a clear cost from the start and is good for medium-sized projects with clear plans.

Now, let’s find out if there are any hidden costs behind hiring a Laravel Developer

Are there any hidden costs to analyze while hiring a Laravel Developer?

When hiring a Laravel specialist or starting a development project, be aware of hidden costs that can affect your budget and timeline. These include:

Recruitment Expenses

Money and time spent on advertising positions, interviewing, and checking candidates' backgrounds.

Onboarding and Training

Costs for training new staff, including materials and time spent mentoring them. New hires might also take time to get up to speed, affecting productivity.

Infrastructure and Tools

Costs for setting up development environments and buying necessary software or licenses.

Scope Creep

Extra costs due to project work expanding beyond the original plans, which can increase time and expenses.

Quality Assurance and Testing

Spending on detailed testing and fixing any issues found, which ensures the project's quality.

Legal and Compliance

Money spent on legal matters or meeting specific industry regulations, including data protection and accessibility.

Project Management

The effort and tools used to manage the project, like coordinating tasks and tracking progress.

Communication Overheads

Time used in meetings or on calls, and potential costs from miscommunication leading to extra work or delays.

Now, as we had towards wrapping the discussion up, let’s understand what are some tips you should keep in mind for hiring a cost-efficient Laravel Developer.

Tips for hiring a Laravel Developer in a cost-efficient manner

Hiring a cost-efficient Laravel developer for your project is very important. Below are some tips to find the right Laravel Developer for your project

Define Project Needs

Clearly state what your project requires, like specific features & Laravel skills, to get accurate proposals.

Use Freelance Websites

Look for Laravel experts on platforms like Upwork or Freelancer to compare prices and check reviews.

Consider Outsourcing

Hiring from areas with lower living costs, such as Eastern Europe or Asia, can be cheaper.

Check Portfolios

Choose developers with strong portfolios and good client feedback.

Join Laravel Communities

Post your job in Laravel forums to attract skilled developers.

Start Small

Try a short test project or trial period to evaluate the developer's fit without big commitments.

Hire Remotely

Remote Laravel developers can offer quality work at lower rates.

Interview Carefully

Assess technical and problem-solving skills with thorough interviews and practical tests.

Use Agile Methods

This approach lets you adjust the project scope and budget as you go.

Negotiate Payments

Discuss payment plans that suit your budget, like hourly rates or payments after reaching milestones.

Wrapping Up!

The final cost of hiring a Laravel Developer may vary depending on their level of experience, location & the complexity of the project. To a general extent, you can expect the charges to range in between $30 - $150/ hour for a Laravel Developer.

Though the budget constraints are crucial, it is still important to prioritize expertise, experience & the ability of developers to deliver high-quality work. A skilled Laravel developer may charge higher prices & it could be vice versa for a junior developer.