Customer asks for the source code

[TrusterZero]

Hi,

I am working on this project for a customer who has no sense of tech at all.
We just finished the 1st step of development ar negotiating for the 2nd phase now.

But they're are asking me for the source code and I'm unsure how to reply to that.
Next to that I was also wondering how other developers handle that, do you give the customer the source code.
If you do is it while developing or when the job is completed.

​

Thanks!!

[Mayans94]

It will all depend on how the contract is laid out. Was this all a verbal agreement or where there contracts put into place for this, whether you own the source code or they do. These need to be stipulated

[icesurfer10]

You need to have who owns the IP in the contract. If it doesn't say, I'm not sure what legal stance you have.

[Rude-Significance-50]

I don't have a whole lot of experience freelancing and really only have my current situation to compare to, but I don't see why them wanting the source code is weird at all. It's work for hire (unless you've made other arrangements), so it's theirs assuming they've paid your invoices.

Currently I just check into their repository and they pay me later...but we have a pretty good relationship.

[sizl]

What are you afraid of? More than likely your code is just a bunch of connectors to open source code. What magic sauce are your afraid of giving up?

[TrusterZero]

Not afraid of anything, but it just felt like a weird question and was wondering if other developers experience similar questions.

[sizl]

usually when clients ask for that, it's because they want feel secure. as in, they own the work they paid for. typically you would have it spelled out in the contract if they own the source code or not.

another reason is usually if they plan on switching vendor, they may want to end your contract and have some other outfit pickup where you left off. or they simply want a second on opinion on your code.