Big generalization here, but if you only need one specialized dev and have nobody on board who can judge them, then you probably don't need the best dev possibl

Big generalization here, but if you only need one specialized dev and have nobody on board who can judge them, then you probably don't need the best dev possible anyway. I'm imagining a non-tech company that just wants a functional website. If you're not looking for the best possible person, and just want to make sure you're not wasting money on some schmo, then this approach is probably fine. The responses you're getting are from the point of view of a tech-based company. Because your approach has no advantage for the top-notch dev, who at the moment is in a white-hot market and able to write their own ticket at a company that IS able to judge their ability and isn't going to try to get some cheap work out of them.