Service
System Design & Architecture
A clear technical plan before you commit months of build time
The architecture decisions that are expensive to get wrong — data models, service boundaries, scaling — thought through and written down before you build.
Before a line of code, I help you shape the system: data models, service boundaries, how components talk, where state lives, and how it all holds up as traffic and team size grow. You get a concrete plan — diagrams, trade-offs written down, and a stack chosen for your constraints rather than fashion — so the build starts with fewer unknowns and fewer costly rewrites later.
This comes from having built the real thing, not just drawn boxes: a multi-tenant SaaS backend with Row-Level Security across nearly a hundred tables, AI agent orchestration with usage-based billing, and systems tuned for cost and reliability in production. I can design a new system with you, or review an existing one and give you an honest map of what to fix first.
Starting from
$2,500
architecture engagement · one-off design reviews start lower
The figure above is a starting point, not a fixed tier. Your quote depends on scope and complexity — the number of features, integrations, and how much already exists. After a short scoping call you get one fixed price for the whole project, or, for ongoing work, a monthly retainer. Larger builds are billed by milestone: a deposit to begin and the balance on delivery.
What’s included
Architecture design: data models, services, and boundaries
Scalability, reliability, and cost planning for real growth
Multi-tenant and access-control design done safely
Technology and infrastructure choices matched to your constraints
Diagrams and written trade-offs your team can act on
Review of an existing system with a prioritised fix list
What you get
- An architecture document with diagrams and trade-offs
- A recommended stack and phased build plan
- A prioritised list of risks and what to fix first
Ideal for
Founders and teams about to build — or scale — something where getting the architecture wrong is expensive.
Typical stack
How it works
Scope
A short call to understand goals, users, and constraints, turned into a fixed plan, timeline, and quote.
Design
I shape the data model, architecture, and interface, with previews early so we agree before I build.
Build
Clear milestones with working previews throughout — clean, tested code and regular updates.
Launch & support
Deployment, monitoring, and handover, with post-launch support or a retainer when you need it.
Example work
Real projects where I did this kind of work — the problem, the build, and where it landed.
Ready to start your System Design & Architecture project?
Send me a short brief or just an idea. I’ll reply with a plan, a timeline, and clear next steps.
System Design & Architecture: common questions
Do I need this if I already have a developer?
Often yes — it's complementary. I set the architecture and the plan; your team builds it with fewer unknowns. I can also review what your team has proposed and pressure-test it before you commit.
Can you review an existing system instead of designing a new one?
Yes. I map what you have, find the bottlenecks and risks, and give you an honest, prioritised list of what to fix first — no rewrite required unless it's truly warranted.
What do I actually get at the end?
A concrete architecture document: diagrams, data models, the trade-offs behind each decision, a recommended stack, and a phased plan — something your team can build from, not a slide deck.