Yes, OP, I’ve noticed an uptick in my experience. The last two guys I hired asked me to put the cash on the table before we began. One was worth it, one was not. As someone else has said, though, usually the ones that ask are not worth it.
On a side note, I make sure they count it out in front of me. I had one guy I paid his full fee, left, and he texted me shortly after that I shorted him $40. Bullshit.