I don't think remote subcontractors are a good plan to start with. The main challenge when moving from a single freelancer to an agency is not the salary payme

I don't think remote subcontractors are a good plan to start with. The main challenge when moving from a single freelancer to an agency is not the salary payments, but becoming the manager responsible for other people's work. * The entire point of starting an agency is taking on more, larger projects. This means more discussions, negotiations and planning with clients. * With more than yourself working on the project, suddenly you need to start communicating and planning among the developers. You need to start estimating the complexity and time required based not on your own, but other people's skills and experience. * You take the risk of having to deliver the project to the customer on time and on budget even if your employees or contractors fail you. * You take the risk of paying out to employees or contractors, even if the client does not pay you. This means that you need to dedicate a significant portion of your time to "management" rather than billable work. Even with a part-time remote contractor, all these issues are present, and you will get less rather than more work done at first. All friends who I have seen starting successful agencies have used the "partnership of 2-3 freelancers in one office" as the starting point. You work together daily, so that you can quickly solve any planning and estimation issues. You work as partners not employees/subcontractors, and take the risk of not getting paid equally. Once that partnership is going smoothly, then you can start scaling out by hiring employees or subcontractors. Having 2-3 senior, trustworthy people is important for that - then you can afford to split risks, split management overhead, and cover for each other when someone goes on holiday or sick leave. Doing it alone is very difficult.