I would obviously pay them if/once the idea took off, but I don't have the capital to do so now.
Actually, you don't really have the choice unless you start to learn coding.
You have to understand that alone you won't be able to do much to succeed in your business. Therefore you have to give away some share of your idea. An idea is worth nothing until it becomes reality.
Don't forget that in this world, you are not the only having this idea. The difference comes from what you make out of it.
Smartphones and Tablets existed before the iPhone and iPad came in. There were many social networks already in place when Facebook took off.
I hope this small advice will help you somehow...
