Hello.....
Read your project description, and i think you started it a bit wrong with main menu...it looks way better on original theme, and shoud be kept that way, even if i have to draw the logo from scratch. Anyway, theme is good, works nice, but as any theme can be customized as you want. I suggest we load theme demo content and work on it till we get desired layout, so we do not waste time on my ideas you might not like, this is a start that can be easily adjusted using custom css. Original css file can be cleaned, and we will be using a child theme anyway with custom css you will be able to continue updates as they come out.
Now, one thing regarding hourly rate- i think we should talk this like a fixed price project, and divide it into 3 phases, eash to be worth 150AUD, and thats it. Your demands are not high or unexpected, but if we chat on daily basis there is no need to measure time. It will cost you a lot and you will get same result, maybe even worse if me or someone else rushes things more then needed.
I understand you want quality work and thats why you are probably willing to pay more. But, this way its better for both of us. You can see progress and i can do work properly. Per stage it gives me time to think a bit about layout, do more testing, do proper job, like you want, i assume.
Time zone difference is no issue, i usually work for Australians anyway....so i am used to it.
Feel free to ask any question you might have.
Regards
Stoyan Vasic, IT engineer