Frequently Asked
Questions
Everything you need to know about working with First Epic.
Q01How is this different from Upwork/Toptal/Arc/Turing?
Upwork is freelancers juggling multiple clients. Toptal/Arc/Turing are marketplaces connecting you to individual contractors. First Epic provides a physical workspace with HR, IT, performance management, and daily oversight. Your talent is dedicated to you full-time, not splitting attention across projects.
Q02Where is the talent located?
We operate a physical studio in Islamabad/Rawalpindi with workspace, internet, IT support, HR, and daily supervision in a secure location. This gives you professional infrastructure with adult oversight—not random contractors working from coffee shops.
Q03Do you offer managed services?
No. We provide embedded talent who work as part of your remote team. You manage the work day-to-day (Slack, Jira, your workflow). We handle recruiting, HR, payroll, workspace, and performance management. Think: remote employee, not outsourced project.
Q04What if it doesn't work out?
Free replacements. If someone isn't working out, we'll find someone who will. No additional fees.
Q05How long does hiring take?
Typically 2-4 weeks for a new client. We source, screen, you interview, we hire and onboard. Timeline depends on role specificity and your availability for interviews.
Q06What roles can you fill?
We specialize in technical and creative roles: software engineers (full-stack, frontend, backend, mobile), designers (UI/UX, product), AI specialists, and hybrid creative+technical roles. If you're looking for dedicated remote talent in these areas, we can help.
Q07Do you charge per-hire fees?
No. Recruiting, screening, and onboarding are included. You pay a monthly fee for the talent, not separate placement fees.
Q08What timezone options do you offer?
We operate 24/7 and can accommodate your preferred schedule: (1) Overnight work for US teams—tasks completed while you sleep, (2) Partial overlap—available during your afternoon hours, (3) Full US business hours overlap—real-time collaboration during your 9-5. You choose what works best for your workflow.
Q09How do you enable team members with AI tools?
Your team gets access to cutting-edge AI development and productivity tools based on their role and your requirements. We equip them with what they need to work efficiently in modern workflows.
Q10Who is your typical customer?
Tech startup founders ready to graduate from Upwork/freelancer churn. Companies scaling their first remote team. NOT enterprise buyers. NOT companies looking for fully managed services.
Q11How much does it cost?
Custom quotes based on role, timezone, and experience level. Dramatically cheaper than US hiring, with zero headaches of going direct. Get in touch with Davis for specifics.
Q12Can I visit the office?
Yes, though most clients don't need to. We handle the physical infrastructure (workspace, IT, HR, daily oversight). You manage the work remotely like any other distributed team.