Howdo I find the best codeigniter development company?

It is true, you have to be able to manage the freelancers which becomes a job in itself. In truth in took me years to build a network of reliable freelancers that I could trust and work with smoothly. The problem with a single company is their job is to get the biggest budget for the smallest workload and complete and get a sign off as quickly as possible. A freelancer (well good ones) just want their hourly rate and will do whatever you ask as best they can as quickly as they can. So if you cannot block off your requirements into short self contained units that are easily managed by freelancers, then perhaps it is not the best route.

Paul.