FAQCommon questions.
Couldn't find an answer? Email hello@thenodenest.com — we reply within one business day.
How do I pick the right service?
Start with the outcome you need. New brand or selling online? Websites. Custom product or internal tooling? Applications. More qualified traffic? Marketing and SEO. Better-looking, more consistent feed? Social. We are happy to scope a 30-minute call and recommend the smallest path to your goal — without padding.
Can you do design only, without the build?
Yes. We run design-only sprints (4–8 weeks) where we hand off Figma files, a component library and a written spec to your in-house engineers. Many clients use this when they have a strong dev team but limited design capacity.
Do you work with our existing in-house team?
Often. We embed designers and engineers into your sprints, work in your repository, follow your code-review culture, and move out cleanly when the engagement ends. We do not require you to switch tools or replace your team.
What does an ongoing retainer cost?
Retainers start at KES 150,000 / month for design-and-development support, KES 250,000 / month for SEO, and KES 350,000 / month and up for embedded product teams. Every retainer has a written scope and a 30-day exit clause — no long lock-ins.
Do you work with clients outside Kenya?
Yes — we ship for clients across Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, the Middle East and the diaspora. The studio is in Nairobi but our delivery is fully remote when needed, and we are comfortable working across time zones.
How long from first call to a signed statement of work?
For most engagements, 5 to 10 business days. We do an introductory call, send a written proposal within 48 hours, and refine until you sign. We don't pitch — we cost the work honestly and let it stand on the proposal.
Do you sign NDAs?
Yes. We sign your NDA on request, before the first call. Standard mutual NDA on our paper otherwise — and every team member signs an internal IP and confidentiality agreement.
Who owns the work?
You do, fully, from day one. Code is in your GitHub organisation, design files in your Figma team, accounts on third-party services in your name. Our contract assigns copyright to you on payment.