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You’d think hiring one expert would be better than managing three average developers.
You’d be wrong, at least from the outsourcing company’s perspective.
Let’s unpack the real reason behind bloated teams, inflated timesheets, and why the expert path is often the one no one wants you to choose.
1 Expert = Efficiency, but Also… Autonomy
A real expert:
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Questions bad decisions
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Understands end-to-end architecture
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Moves fast, without constant check-ins
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Doesn’t ask for permission – just delivers
And that’s a problem for traditional vendors.
Because experts don’t play the "resource" game.
They cut through layers and eliminate dependencies.
Outsourcing companies sell structure, not efficiency.
A senior who removes blockers also removes the need for other billable roles.
And that's just bad for business - their business.
The Real Math – 2025 IT Rates
Let’s compare realistic Eastern European outsourcing numbers (2025):
| Role | Vendor Cost | Billed to Client | Margin |
| Junior Developer | ~$2,500 | ~$6,000 | $3,500 |
| Mid-Level Developer | ~$4,500 | ~$8,500 | $4,000 |
| QA Tester | ~$3,000 | ~$7,000 | $4,000 |
| Project Manager | ~$5,000 | ~$9,000 | $4,000 |
| DevOps Engineer | ~$6,000 | ~$10,000 | $4,000 |
| Senior Expert | ~$9,500 | ~$12,000 | $2,500 |
So, three mid-level devs = $25,500/month billed
One expert = $12,000/month billed
The team looks “bigger” on paper.
But often, delivers slower and with higher long-term cost.
1 Expert vs 3 Mids – What Actually Works?
| Dimension | 3 Mid-Level Devs | 1 Senior Expert |
| Speed of delivery | Slower (sync overhead) | Fast (end-to-end control) |
| Communication | Needs PM layer | Direct |
| Code quality | Inconsistent, patchy | Unified, strategic |
| Ownership | Shared ( = diluted) | Full accountability |
| Cost per result | High (hidden in tickets) | Lower (direct outcome) |
| Vendor revenue | High | Low |
And that’s the real tension:
Vendors optimize for revenue, not delivery.
The Hidden Overhead No One Mentions
Large outsourcing vendors don’t just bill you for the developer.
They’re also covering:
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1,000m² offices in city centers
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HR teams, talent acquisition, employer branding
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Company cars and “Tech Lead of the Month” parties
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Internal tools, unused licenses, bloated Slack channels
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Internal projects that no one ships
You? You’re funding all that.
How?
By hiring 3 devs instead of 1 expert.
Spotting a Bloated Proposal
If your quote includes:
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1 PM for 2–3 developers
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A QA for every frontend dev
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DevOps for a static website
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Daily stand-ups and refinement calls (with no delivery)
Stop.
Ask: Are we paying for output or organizational comfort?
Why Vendors Push "Safe" Teams
Vendors love:
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Predictable billing (4 people x 160h = easy math)
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Multi-month contracts
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Roles that justify each other (PM needs devs, devs need QA, etc.)
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"Managed services" as a layer of insulation
And above all:
Avoiding accountability.
Because when things move slowly in a 5-person team, it’s no one’s fault.
But when 1 expert owns the outcome, the truth becomes visible.
The UmbraCare Way
We don’t sell you a stack of job titles.
We solve your actual problem.
No fluff. No noise. No PM bloat.
Just:
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Senior Umbraco experts
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Fast delivery
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High ROI
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Brutal clarity
We get in, fix what matters, and leave you in control.
Can It Work in Hybrid Mode?
Of course, there’s another path.
Some companies ask:
“Can we combine both approaches? Have one expert and 2–3 regular developers?”
Yes – in theory.
An expert can guide others, review their code, and help them grow.
But here’s the catch:
1. It requires extra time.
Coaching, explaining architecture, and maintaining quality adds real effort.
Often more than people realize.
2. Regular developers might not understand long-term design trade-offs.
You can’t teach systems thinking in a week.
Many mid-level developers are skilled at writing code, but struggle to maintain system cleanliness after 6-12 months.
3. It demands constant code reviews and refactoring.
Otherwise, the expert ends up fixing their mistakes anyway.
4. It only works if the team respects the expert’s authority.
Without that, it becomes political.
The expert is seen as “demanding” or “slowing down” the team.
Friction builds. Trust breaks.
So yes, hybrid setups can work - but only if:
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You give the expert real authority
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The mids are coachable and humble
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Everyone is aligned on outcomes, not ego
Otherwise, it’s a frustrating exercise in damage control.
Final Thought
If 1 expert can replace 3 developers…
…then why do vendors still push the 3?
Simple:
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3 devs = more revenue
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More coordination = more billable hours
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Slower delivery = longer contract
Choosing the expert path poses a threat to their entire business model.
But it might just save yours.
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