T&M requires a great deal of trust between the customer and the contractor. It can only work after a long standing relationship has developed.
As for "flat rate," we ALL like to know ahead of time what we can expect to spend. Would you roder at a restaurant, without knowing the cost?
reck roh...:D
that being said, i've been to a bunch of restaurants in NYC that you do order without a menu and without pricing...some of the best italian restaurants are like that...