Developing is my passion, but this isn't "ask and you shall receive."
I love what I do, but it is also how I pay my bills. When you ask for a "quick fix" or a "small app" for free, you're asking someone to do their job for you, FOR FREE.
12:32 you: Hey, quick question... 12:32 dev: What's up? 12:34 you: Can you just build this feature real quick? It's simple. 12:35 dev: ...
Try this approach instead:
12:32 you: Hey, are you taking freelance work right now? 12:33 dev: I am! Here are my rates.
Why this matters:
It is rarely "just 5 minutes." Context switching, environment setup, and testing all take time. If the project is worth building, it's worth paying for.
Respect my time, and I will respect your project.