[niggler]

"So you work for an entire year, working nights, weekends, and they will take %15 off the top? At 200/hr, if you gross 400K they're taking 60K?"

Your view is very myopic. If your best alternative without them is 100/hr or even 150/hr, then in fact you are still net ahead.

"If they find you the contract, offer to pay a finders fee that seems reasonable."

Who is assessed the fee and when? In this model, they are taking an "equity" stake so to speak. The developer bears lesser risk for a souring relationship.

[MoOmer]

Right, but the point being made elsewhere in the thread is that agencies usually can approach or exceed your goal rate, while not requiring you to share your secret sauce (ie: your leads).

[nilkn]

A year-long contract at $200/hour is going to be very, very hard to land for most freelancers.