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Do You Own the Code When You Hire a Dev Shop?

What ShipInADay hands off after delivery — GitHub repo, database schemas, configs, and why we do not license your product back to you.

founder-tipssaas

TL;DR: Yes. You receive full source code ownership — GitHub repo, database migrations, env templates, and deployment scripts. No ongoing license fee, no hostage infrastructure.


This is one of the most common questions we get — and one of the most expensive mistakes founders make when they skip reading the contract.

What you get from ShipInADay

After delivery, you own:

  • GitHub repository — complete application source
  • Database schemas and migrations — not a black-box hosted DB we control
  • Stripe and auth configuration — documented env vars, webhook setup
  • Preview and production deploy paths — Docker and hosting notes you can rerun

We do not retain a license to resell your product. We do not require ongoing hosting through us.

What "work for hire" should mean

A legitimate MVP shop transfers IP to you on payment. Red flags elsewhere in the industry:

  • Code lives only on the agency's GitHub org
  • You get a deployed URL but no repo
  • "License" language that limits modifications or transfer
  • Hosting bundled with no export path

Our Terms of Service and FAQ state plainly: you own what we build for you.

Hosting is yours

We configure your Vercel, Railway, or VPS accounts. You hold the keys. If you part ways with any vendor later, the code and migrations move with you.

Support vs ownership

Post-delivery support (7–30 days by tier) covers bug fixes and minor adjustments — not a lease on the codebase. Custom tier work is quoted the same way: you own the output.

Before you hire anyone

Ask these three questions:

  1. Where does the GitHub repo live after handoff?
  2. Can I deploy without the agency's credentials?
  3. Is IP assignment in writing?

With ShipInADay, the answers are: your org, yes, and yes.

Start your project — fixed tiers from pricing, or Custom for quoted scope.

Ready to ship your MVP?

Start your project