This is the way. I’m happy to do take home projects; I have a portfolio of past projects that I’d be happy to let you review before signing me as a contractor. Once we discuss the project’s scope, I can put together a bid for it.

Oh, you didn’t want to pay for the projects? You just wanted me to do them for free, so you could steal them and ghost? Well I’m not interested in expanding my portfolio, (as I mentioned previously, I already have a robust portfolio that I can give to prospective clients), so I’m glad this conversation has saved both of us some time. Please feel free to reach back out in the future, if you ever have any projects worth paying for.