to add to this - I pay exactly what the freelancer asks, and not a single person I've worked with has ever asked me for an increase in rates, even when I would have gladly accepted. When I offer more money proactively, it's usually when they're dropping the project and I really want them to continue. Unfortunately money doesn't seem to be the issue in these cases - the two instances were "got a job" and "personal issue".

apart from that:

- hourly rates don't correlate with total cost, lower hourly rates = they'll bill you more hours

- higher hourly rates isn't necessarily better. The best, most reliable person I've worked with charged $60/hr. The worst was well over 100.