Quotes and fees

We calculate the assignment.

A reliable quote does more than state a price. It specifies the material to be handled, the service agreed, the delivery date and format, and the assumptions on which the calculation is based.

To prepare it, we need to know the text and its context. A word count or page count alone says little about how much research, editing, coordination, and review a project will require.

What determines the effort

  • Length and subject-matter complexity
  • Source and target languages
  • Type of text, audience, and intended use
  • Quality and format of the source files
  • Research and coordination required
  • Terminology and formatting requirements
  • Revision and other checks
  • Delivery date and special additional services

Noneditable PDFs, incomplete source material, tables, complex formatting, or reference material supplied later can affect the effort, as can additional correction and layout rounds.

Fixed price, unit rate, or hourly fee

When the complete material is available and the scope is clear, we generally provide a binding fixed-price quote. Both the client and the contractor then know what to expect.

For comparable assignments that recur regularly, unit rates or hourly fees may be more appropriate. We charge by time in particular when the scope cannot be reliably determined in advance, such as for ongoing editing, consulting, or several rounds of corrections.

The quote states the agreed method of calculation and lists additional or optional services separately.

Schedule and planning

The delivery date is part of the quote. It takes into account the length and complexity of the material, the coordination required, and capacity already committed. Projects announced well in advance can be planned more effectively and usually handled more economically.

Rush assignments are possible if the necessary care and a realistic workflow can be maintained. Additional coordination may be reflected in the fee.

If the assignment changes

A quote applies to the documents and services described in it. If the amount of text, source material, schedule, service level, or requested additional services change, we agree on the effects on the fee and delivery date before incurring additional effort.

Our quotes are intended for businesses. All fees are stated net of VAT. Payment terms and other contractual details are set out in the quote and in our Terms and Conditions.