Hiring a local full stack developer for a mid-size WordPress project is different from posting on a marketplace and hoping for the best. You need someone who understands WordPress internals, can implement custom PHP or JS where required, and also communicates clearly with your team. This checklist helps you evaluate candidates, spot red flags, and draft contract items that prevent scope creep and missed deadlines.
Define scope and success criteria before you interview
Start with a clear project brief. For mid-size WordPress projects that often means: custom post types, integrations with third-party APIs, a responsive/custom theme or block-based solution, performance targets, and a rollout plan for staging and production. Include measurable success criteria—page load budget, acceptable bug rate, and required integrations—so you and the developer have the same expectations.
Technical skills to test
- WordPress architecture: Can they explain actions, filters, the loop, and the REST API? Ask for examples where they used hooks to extend functionality safely.
- PHP & database: Look for experience with modern PHP (7.4+), prepared statements, and WPDB usage. Ask how they approach database migrations or custom tables.
- JavaScript & front end: Verify competence with ES6+, React (for block editor/Gutenberg), and progressive enhancement. Request a short sample or link to a repo.
- Performance and SEO basics: Can they describe server-side caching, query optimization, image optimization, and critical CSS strategies? These matter for mid-size sites.
- DevOps & workflows: Confirm they use version control (Git), can deploy to staging and production, and have a rollback plan. Familiarity with CI/CD is a plus.
- Security and maintenance: Ask about hardening WordPress, handling plugin vulnerabilities, and routine maintenance plans.
Practical hiring checks and small tests
- Request a portfolio with live examples and screenshots of the admin side. Prefer projects with similar complexity to yours.
- Run a focused take-home task (2–4 hours) that mirrors a real requirement—e.g., register a custom post type, build a simple Gutenberg block, or fix a deliberate performance issue.
- Ask for a brief code walkthrough. Good candidates can explain tradeoffs and recent decisions in a few minutes.
- Contact references and ask specific questions: Was the developer on time, did they document work, and how did they handle change requests?
Red flags to watch for
- Vague answers about architecture or reluctance to show code. That usually signals weak technical ownership.
- No version control or deployment process. Manual uploads to production are a maintenance and security risk.
- Promises of unrealistic timelines without clarifying scope or tradeoffs.
- Refusal to sign a basic contract or produce a scoped statement of work (SOW).
- Excessive reliance on many paid plugins instead of a reasoned mix of custom code and well-supported plugins.
Contract items and SOW essentials
A clear contract protects both parties. Include these items:
- Scope and deliverables: Feature list, integrations, and what constitutes ‘done’ for each item.
- Timeline and milestones: Deliverables tied to milestone payments with testable acceptance criteria.
- Change control: How change requests are estimated, approved, and billed.
- Code ownership and repository access: Specify that you own the final code and have access to the Git repository.
- Testing and acceptance: Define bug severity, response times, and a final acceptance period (e.g., 14 days) before final payment.
- Maintenance and warranties: Include a short warranty window (30–90 days) for defects and optional ongoing maintenance terms.
- Security and data handling: Expectations for secure credentials, backups, and compliance if you handle user data.
Pricing models and what they mean for you
Understand the tradeoffs:
- Fixed-price: Best when scope is tight. Requires detailed SOW and strong change control.
- Time & materials (hourly): More flexible for evolving mid-size projects. Budget estimates and regular reporting are important.
- Retainer: Useful when you need ongoing improvements and support after launch.
Onboarding a local hire
Plan a short onboarding sprint: share access to staging, document site architecture, provide design assets, and agree on communication cadence. Local hires are valuable for in-person workshops and rapid iterations—use that advantage to align quickly on priorities.
Conclusion and next steps
Hiring a reliable local full stack developer for a mid-size WordPress build means combining technical tests, clear contract terms, and honest reference checks. If you want practical development support or a second opinion on a candidate, I offer focused web development services and technical evaluations tailored to WordPress projects. Learn more about specific services and project examples at Edwin Quijada Web Development. Choose a candidate who communicates clearly, uses modern workflows, and agrees to measurable milestones—those traits predict a smoother project and fewer surprises.