This is a valid point. I agree it doesn't seem like an efficient way of conducting a business in the long-term, but for a one-off problem that they happen to b

This is a valid point. I agree it doesn't seem like an efficient way of conducting a business in the long-term, but for a one-off problem that they happen to be stuck on, it makes more sense. The feeling I got was that they weren't developers by trade (the code quality I mentioned was a red flag), very small, early-stage startup with no money and they needed expert help, fast.