Verify Laravel depth, not just PHP
Many "PHP developers" know a little Laravel; fewer know it deeply. The difference shows up in specifics. Ask how they'd avoid N+1 query problems with Eloquent (the answer is eager loading), when they'd push work onto a queue instead of running it inline, and how they structure tests with Pest or PHPUnit. A strong candidate talks fluently about migrations, form requests, service classes and middleware without prompting. For agencies, an Official Laravel Partner credential signals vetted depth a generic shop can't claim.
Concrete signals to look for
Beyond the interview, a few things separate solid hires from risky ones. Shipped, live Laravel apps you can actually open — not just private repos you're told about. A GitHub history with real commits, ideally a package or two they maintain. Comfort with testing and version control as defaults, not afterthoughts. And clear, plain-language answers when you ask why they made a technical choice — if they can't explain a decision simply, they probably didn't reason about it. Vague "I'm full-stack, I do everything" answers are a yellow flag.
Common hiring mistakes
Three errors cost people the most. Hiring on rate alone — the cheapest developer who needs three rewrites is the expensive one. Skipping the reference and portfolio check because someone interviewed well. And handing over the full build before testing the working relationship, then being locked in when communication turns out to be the real problem. The fix for all three is the same: start small and pay for proof before you commit.
Freelancer, agency, or in-house?
Each model fits a different stage. A freelancer suits a small, defined feature or a short fix, and you carry the management overhead yourself. An agency gives you a team, a process and continuity for a full build, and usually staff-augmentation (you rent developers per month) or fixed-scope project options — fixed scope protects your budget, staff augmentation gives you flexibility when requirements shift. In-house fits when the app is core to the business and needs ongoing iteration that a contractor can't sustain. Match the model to the stage, not just the day-one cost.
Vet with a real task
Code samples and CVs only tell you so much. A small, paid trial task — a real feature or a focused code review — reveals more about quality and communication in a few days than any interview will. Watch how they ask questions, handle ambiguity and write commit messages, not just whether the code runs. And confirm code ownership and IP assignment in writing before the main build starts, not after. So treat the trial as the interview that actually counts.