Yes, but as both a contractor and someone who hires contractors, I would say the optimal approach for both developer and client would be to get a small task don

Yes, but as both a contractor and someone who hires contractors, I would say the optimal approach for both developer and client would be to get a small task done first then move from there. So, order the appetizer first, and if it's good, then go for the main course. (Or even better, go out for salad, and then come back next week for the main course if you didn't get food poisoning.)