Ask HN: Does it bother you salary negotiation is the last step of interviewing?

You should use the same time to judge the company. It's not a one way conversation. The interview process should give you an equal opportunity to gather enough information to determine whether or not what they offer is reasonable. I've gone into interviews thinking I want to work at a specific company, then exited the process because they don't meet my standards.

I have worked as a contractor all my working life (Australia, over 25 years now) and if they won't give me a likely range of rates up front I tell them not to waste my time and theirs.

No matter how "interesting" or "promising" their project might be I am in it to feed my family.

Typically you know a ballpark right?

Without interviews and evaluations of the company and candidate, how would either decide on the worth of the other.

Or are you saying that you typically do not even know the ballpark range?