I guess we are talking about different kind of projects. I had few very short limited scope projects (shortest one 3 days I think) but generally I design and de

I guess we are talking about different kind of projects. I had few very short limited scope projects (shortest one 3 days I think) but generally I design and develop products from ground zero (some I own, some made for corporate clients). It could take me a month sometime to write first line of code. And no one in their right mind would expect me to start coding big product with no design in place on a first day. As for trust - I have big portfolio and stellar references from satisfied clients and some of my products can be seen on the web. In my case this is normally what counts, not me banging on keyboard from the first hour. You do not start coding major project without without first having a clear and documented picture of what exactly is being built. Doing it other way is a recipe for major disappointment.