When you hire a freelancer, you are hiring someone who works on an as-needed basis for a number of clients. It is unlikely that you will be the freelancer's only employer and it is wise to make sure that the freelancer has enough time for your project. If the freelancer wavers while answering this question or is unable to commit to the timeline then you may want to look elsewhere.

With that said, you may find that the top tier freelancers are booked several months in advance. If your deadline can be extended or is not written in stone, then you should consider these freelancers. This is especially true for projects that require freelancers with more than a decade of experience.