This is spot on. If you know he's your guy, offer him $$ up front or guaranteed billable hours per week for a lower rate. As a former freelancer for 10 years, I

This is spot on. If you know he's your guy, offer him $$ up front or guaranteed billable hours per week for a lower rate. As a former freelancer for 10 years, I'd often dropped my rate if I was guaranteed $$ or hours.