Also my experience after 15 years of contracting. The fixed-bid contracts were the worst because they attempting to squeeze as much as they could for that cost

Also my experience after 15 years of contracting. The fixed-bid contracts were the worst because they attempting to squeeze as much as they could for that cost. After a few of them I stopped even discussing them as an option. If someone loses their autonomy as a contractor that's all on them, not the contract. I was always very clear that it was a B2B relationship with my clients. Hourly rates also meant that if projects went long, or other work became avail, I would usually just continue to work on it, which can become quite lucrative. Fixed-bid contracts always gave the client a reason not to sign another contract. Time and Materials contracts meant a 3 month contract could easily turn into a 9 month contract, no new contract necessary.