How and Where To Hire Laravel Developers

Laravel is a modern, open-source PHP framework used for web application development. It stands out for its elegant syntax, robust features like Eloquent ORM, built-in authentication, and easy integration with mail services. Laravel simplifies complex web development tasks, making it quicker and more efficient, which explains its popularity among developers and businesses.

Hiring the right Laravel developers is crucial because their expertise directly influences the quality, scalability, and security of your web application. The right freelance Laravel developer can leverage Laravel’s strengths to create a tailored solution that meets your project’s unique needs, ensuring a competitive edge in the digital marketplace.

1. Understanding Your Laravel Project Needs

Before diving into the hiring process, it’s critical to understand your project’s needs. This initial step ensures you hire Laravel developers whose skills and experience align perfectly with your project goals.

1.1 Project Scope

Determining the scope of your project involves identifying the specific features, functionalities, and objectives you aim to achieve with your Laravel developers. This clarity helps in estimating the project’s size, timeline, and resources required.

For instance, “To create an online platform that connects local artisans with customers interested in handmade goods, facilitating seamless transactions and product discovery.” Then, itemizing the essential features and functionalities will help achieve your goal. For a marketplace, these might include user registration and management (for both buyers and sellers), product listings, a search function with filters, a shopping cart, and secure checkout process, etc.

Then, consider the technical and business requirements necessary to support the features listed. This may involve choosing Laravel for its robustness in handling complex databases and user management. Based on the features and requirements, estimate the resources (number of developers, budget) and timeline needed. For complex projects like an online marketplace, you may need a team including Laravel developers, front-end developers, and a project manager, alongside a realistic timeline based on the project’s complexity.

Finally, summarize the project’s goals, features, requirements, and estimates in a document for stakeholder approval.

1.2 Models to Hire Laravel Developers

Your project scope directly affects whether you will hire freelance Laravel developers or a dedicated Laravel developer team. Freelance Laravel Developer is ideal for short-term projects or single tasks that require specific expertise. Freelancers offer flexibility and are often a cost-effective solution for smaller projects or where the scope is limited and well-defined.

For longer long-term projects with a broad scope, a dedicated developer or team is preferable. Hiring a dedicated team of Laravel developers is also best for projects requiring ongoing maintenance and updates They can commit and understand projects better, leading to better continuity and consistency.

For the example of building an online marketplace above, hiring a dedicated development team of Laravel developers would be appropriate as the project will be complex and long-term. A dedicated team can offer the diverse skill set needed (from back-end logic with Laravel to front-end development and project management).

1.3 Skills and Expertise

When looking to hire Laravel developers, assessing their technical skills is crucial to ensure they can effectively contribute to your project. Here are the essential technical skills to look for in top Laravel developers:

• Proficiency in PHP and Laravel Framework: Deep understanding of PHP syntax and Laravel’s architecture, including its service containers, providers, and facades.
• Database Management: Experience with Laravel’s Eloquent ORM, migration system, and ability to handle database relationships effectively.
• Front-end Technologies: Familiarity with front-end technologies like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and front-end frameworks (Vue.js, React) is often necessary for a full-stack Laravel developer.
• RESTful APIs and Web Services Integration: Skill in creating and consuming APIs, integrating third-party web services, and managing data interchange between the server and users.

2. Where to Find Laravel Developers

Software Outsourcing Companies

Outsourcing companies can provide the right tech talent for various projects. They usually have a rigorous screening process to ensure their developers meet high standards. When you hire Laravel developers with them, you’re getting access to pre-vetted talent, which can save you time and provide peace of mind. Also, you can easily scale your team up or down based on your project needs, particularly useful for projects with variable workloads.

Hiring Laravel experts through an outsourcing company simplifies the legal and administrative aspects, as the outsourcing company takes care of contracts, taxes, and other HR responsibilities. Besides, employers don’t have to worry about cultural and communication training because outsourcing companies often prepare their developers for working in international settings already.

Freelance Websites

Freelance websites like Upwork, Toptal, and Freelancer These platforms are home to a wide range of freelance Laravel developers for hire with diverse skill sets and experience levels. You can review portfolios, read client reviews, and conduct interviews to find Laravel developers who meet your project requirements.

These platforms offer access to a vast pool of Laravel developers from around the world, so it’s easier and faster to hire Laravel developers. You can quickly post a job, receive bids, and start working with a developer. However, working with freelance Laravel developers, especially those in different time zones, can present management and communication challenges. Besides, employers have less control over freelancers compared to in-house employees. Freelancers may be working on multiple projects simultaneously, which can affect their availability and focus on your project.

Developer Community Platforms

Developer Community Platforms, like  GitHub and Stack Overflow Jobs are great places to look for Laravel developers.  Both platforms have vast networks of Laravel developers from all over the world. GitHub allows employers to review candidates’ actual work, contributions to projects, and involvement in the developer community. Stack Overflow Jobs, on the other hand, attracts professionals who are serious about their careers and often showcase their problem-solving skills through their participation in Q&A discussions.

However, finding Laravel developers through these platforms does not guarantee responses. Developers on GitHub, for example, might not be actively looking for new opportunities, and on Stack Overflow Jobs, the best candidates often receive multiple offers, making it a challenge to engage them.

3. How To Hire Top Laravel Developers

3.1 Evaluate your Laravel programmers

To hire top Laravel developers, employers must evaluate them thoroughly. Here’s a step-by-step guide to helping companies find a skilled Laravel developer who fits with your project and team culture.

• Review Portfolios and Work History

When reviewing portfolios, look not just at the finished projects but also at the developmental process they underwent. Ask for GitHub repositories or other code repositories to see their coding practices. Were there any unique challenges they overcame? How did they contribute to the project’s success? This helps assess their problem-solving skills and creativity.

• Conduct Technical Interviews

Prepare scenario-based questions that reflect situations the developer might face while working on your project. For instance, ask how they would optimize a Laravel application for better performance or secure a web application against common security threats. This helps you understand their technical depth and practical knowledge.

• Test Technical Skills

The test should mimic a miniature version of a task they would handle in your project, encompassing both backend (Laravel) and, if necessary, frontend aspects. This could be a new feature addition to a basic Laravel application, requiring them to demonstrate their coding standards, adherence to Laravel best practices, and efficiency in problem-solving. Offering a code review option allows you to gauge their ability to read, understand, and critique existing code, which is crucial for collaboration in development projects.

• Soft Skills Assessment

Utilize behavioral interview questions to uncover how they’ve navigated past team dynamics, handled deadline pressures, and communicated complex technical issues to non-technical stakeholders. For example, ask about a time they had to compromise on a technical decision for the greater good of the project timeline or budget. This can highlight their teamwork, leadership qualities, and adaptability.

3.2 Hire Laravel developers 

After finding Laravel experts, the focus shifts to ensuring a smooth transition into your project and team.

• Discuss and Agree on Terms

Beyond the basics (rates, hours, milestones), consider including clauses about ownership of code, non-disclosure agreements (if applicable), and the procedure for handling unforeseen changes in project scope. Transparency here prevents future conflicts with your remote Laravel developers.

• Onboard Efficiently

A structured onboarding process is crucial, especially for remote developers. Provide access to your project management tools, code repositories, and any internal communication platforms. Organize a virtual meet-and-greet with key team members to build rapport. Setting up a mentor or a buddy within the team can also help them navigate the initial days more smoothly.

• Set Clear Expectations

Clearly defined guidelines on work processes, reporting structures, and project expectations can significantly impact the project’s success. Establish KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) for their role and communicate how their performance will be measured. Also, outline how feedback will be given and received, setting the stage for open and constructive communication.

4. How much does a Laravel developer cost?

Laravel Developer Cost can vary widely based on several factors, including the developer’s experience level, geographic location, project complexity, and whether you’re hiring on a freelance, contract, or full-time basis. Here’s a general overview to give you an idea:

Freelance Laravel Developer’s Cost

• Entry-Level: $15-$40 per hour. Freelance Laravel developers in this range are typically starting their careers or are located in regions with a lower cost of living.
• Mid-Level: $40-$75 per hour. These remote developers have a solid portfolio of projects and can handle moderate to complex tasks with minimal supervision.
• Senior-Level: $75-$150+ per hour. Senior developers bring extensive experience and can lead projects, design architecture, and solve complex problems.

Full-Time Laravel Developer’s Cost

• United States: The average salary for a full-time Laravel developer ranges from $70,000 to $120,000 per year, with variations depending on experience, location, and the company’s size.
• Western Europe: In countries like Germany, the UK, and France, salaries range from €40,000 to €70,000 annually.
• Eastern Europe: Developers in this region may earn between $20,000 and $40,000 per year, offering a cost-effective option for companies willing to work across time zones.
• Asia: Salaries can range widely, from as low as $5,000 per year in some countries to $30,000 or more in others, depending on the country’s economic status and the developer’s skill level.

Contract-Based or Project-Based Laravel Programmers’ Cost

The cost of hiring contract-based Laravel developers here will depend on the project’s scope and complexity. A simple project might range from $1,000 to $5,000, while more complex applications could cost $10,000 to $50,000 or more.

5. Frequently Asked Questions on hiring remote Laravel developers

Taylor Otwell is the creator of Laravel, having developed the framework to provide a more advanced alternative to the CodeIgniter framework, lacking certain features such as built-in support for user authentication and authorization.