If you don't know the contractor well, you don't know how hours worked translates into productivity. The programmer could be a 10x programmer or string you alon

If you don't know the contractor well, you don't know how hours worked translates into productivity. The programmer could be a 10x programmer or string you along saying things took longer than expected and suddenly your budget is bloated. I like a happy medium of fixed price with variable scope or a budget range with variable scope and finer details discussed in the contract.