Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Clear communication is part of my service delivery. I explain technical decisions in plain language and make sure you understand what you're getting.

It means taking workflows that aren't working well—whether that's paper-based processes, old software that's causing problems, or manual work that's eating up your time—and replacing them with modern, streamlined systems. Real examples: moving from paper forms to digital systems, replacing error-prone manual processes with automation, or switching from expensive proprietary software to reliable open-source alternatives. The goal is always less stress and more efficiency—systems that work for you instead of against you.

That's exactly where most people start—you know something needs to change, but not what or how. That's the "cold start" moment, and it's the hardest part. That's what discovery and planning work is for: figuring out what actually makes sense for your situation before building anything. Sometimes that means evaluating if you need new software or just better organization. Sometimes it means analyzing your current process to find what's broken. The goal is understanding your path forward before spending time or money on implementation.

When I say I run 70+ services in my homelab, I'm talking about self-hosted applications—things like file storage systems, invoicing services, workflow and automation tools, monitoring dashboards, databases, collaboration platforms, backup systems, and development tools. Each one is a separate application running on my servers. It's basically a test lab where I can evaluate technology before recommending it to clients. If you ask "what should I use for X?", I've probably already tested it, broken it, and know whether it's worth your time.

Rarely. My focus is on systems, websites, automation, and infrastructure projects. I don't troubleshoot personal computers or consumer devices.

Yes, through a consultative problem-solving approach. I help identify workflow bottlenecks, research equipment options, and figure out how to integrate physical work with digital systems. This isn't deep manufacturing expertise—it's about understanding your problem, researching solutions, and helping implement them. One example: helping a fabrication shop identify scanner equipment and integrate it with CAM software to speed up their R&D cycle.

It means working across boundaries that often separate consultants—software and hardware, digital and physical. Real problems don't respect these boundaries. If you need equipment that works with software, or workflow improvements that span physical operations and digital tools, I help figure out what makes sense and implement it—even if that crosses typical specialization boundaries.

Yes, when they meet your needs. I specialize in identifying proven open-source alternatives to expensive commercial tools. My homelab runs extensive testing of both open-source and commercial solutions, so I can tell you which open-source tools genuinely work as replacements. This helps you avoid vendor lock-in and unnecessary software costs while maintaining reliability. However, if a commercial tool is the best fit for your specific situation, I'll recommend it honestly.

Yes, when it solves real problems. I don't use AI for the sake of using AI. If it makes sense for your project, I'll explain how and why.

No. Except where ongoing costs must be incurred, I don't require mandatory ongoing contracts. Ongoing care and maintenance is available if you want it, but it's optional.

It depends on the project. Local business websites typically run $500-800. Infrastructure builds like storage servers are $2000-3000. Discovery services and consultations are billed hourly. I provide clear estimates before starting work.

Simple websites can be done in a week. Infrastructure builds take 2-4 weeks depending on complexity. Discovery services are typically a few days. I'll give you a realistic timeline upfront.

I work both locally (for hardware and infrastructure projects) and remotely (for websites, automation, and consulting). Location depends on the project type.

All systems I build are fully documented for clean handoffs. You can make changes yourself, hire someone else, or hire me for ongoing care. No lock-in.

If you have a clearly defined technical problem and prefer straightforward communication over sales pitches, we're probably a good fit. Contact me and we'll figure it out.