goingbananas

I got a client for 3 years and out of the blue they picked a more junior freelancer and did not renew my contract. The problem is that my code and architecure were really good there, so much so that adding new functionality was extremelly easy (due to the well architected code). The client most likely wanted a confirmation that my job could be done cheaper, and the easy to maintain and extend code I wrote made him think so. So I was dropped. In the end I was out of a gig for doing really excellent work. Any similar experiences or hints?

PS: I was the only developer and the client can't code, so they can't distinguish between a spaguetti and properly developed code. The client literally told me it was not due to performance. But that the work can be done by that other junior freelancer.

I'm a one man show on a startup for a SaaS I'm about to launch. I'm having the most trouble not with any of the technologies I'm delaing with, but with the work I can't do myself. I am not sure in other countries but in Spain, someone will adevrtise himself as master of its craft. Then he is hired to do 10, he will deliver 5 and not even with enough quality. This applies for lawyers, graphic designers, tax attorneys, etc. Then I will need to find another lawyer, to go after the initial lawyer for not delivering quality work, and the cycle could go on and on. Professionalism is totally lacking everywhere, and it is very difficult to draw the line and get serious about anything because no one expects that the work to be done should have better quality. It is gotten so bad that I delay reading new incoming emails from these kind of freelancers since I know it will be crap and will ruin my mood for the day. Anyone has similar issues, any advice?