4 things that increase translation quotes. Avoid them!

This article has been translated from Spanish by Elisa Orellana.

Nobody wants to pay more if they can pay less (for the same quality, that is).

This is a universal truth.

Today I am going to explain what could increase the price of your translations more than necessary, i. e., you will be paying more for a same-quality translation.

1. Providing a draft, instead of the final text, and then sending updates

 

It is best if you submit the final text from the beginning.

This seems obvious, but it is more common than you’d think.

Haste is the devil’s work, and it can make you see “patch fixes” in a new light.

Especially when a deadline is coming up or a presentation is due. You need the text in two languages and you haven’t even finished the original.

You are pushed for time and you think: “I’ll just send what I have, so that the translator can start working and I’ll have more time to finish the original”.

Far from saving time, you’ll just lose money.

When you provide a draft to the translator, they will work on that text. The translator cannot read your mind, they do not know what changes you will make, unless you clearly indicate them.

If the translator works on a draft, they will be wasting their time if, in the end, you modify or eliminate parts that they have already translated.

Therefore, their work will have been in vain (however, it will be billable).

In the end, you will pay double: for the draft and for the update.

 

2. Translating the text yourself and then hiring a reviewer

 

Thinking of translating the text yourself so that the translator “only” has to review it is also common. The logic behind it is that it will be cheaper and it will take less time.

As a matter of fact, it just makes things worse. Hiring a reviewer is not recommended unless the translation was done by a translator.

In those cases, translations have so many errors (be it terminology, grammar or style) that they must be rewritten.

It is harder to undo and redo, than to start from scratch. It would be like trying to sew a suit yourself and then taking it to the tailor for them to fix it. Not good.

It is easier to start a translation from scratch than trying to clean up a mess. And, moreover, the quality of the style and writing will be better.

If you translate yourself, it might be more expensive than expected, since the translator might apply a rate similar to their translation rate if they think they will have to retranslate.

 

3. Providing the file in PDF format, instead of an original editable format

 

As I already mentioned in this entry about how long it takes to translate a text, PDF format (and other non-editable content) has the added difficulty of the translator having to reproduce charts, tables and other necessary details to imitate the original format.

Also, PDF files are not compatible with many tools and software used by translators to do their job; thus, they have to convert the files to an appropriate format.

Often these conversions and format edits take longer than the translation itself and some translators might charge extra for it. This is not always the case, as every translator has their own criteria, but you should know.

Therefore, we recommend that you deliver the original editable file from which the PDF was created.

You will avoid surcharges, the translator will be more productive and, therefore, the job will be ready sooner.

 

4. Lack of planning: urgent deliveries, and working on holidays and weekends

 

We agree that this is inevitable sometimes, especially regarding sworn translations, where you do not set the deadlines.

But, in other cases, for example, translations in the company for the launch of a product or submission of administrative documentation, there is a lack of planning.

The deadline is suddenly here and the 20,000-word annual accounts are due translated on Monday! (This usually happens on a Friday).

You think that two days is enough time. Wrong.

Mistake no. 1: Thinking 20,000 words are easily translated in that amount of time.

Mistake no. 2: Thinking that the translator has the whole weekend to work.

In truth, that word volume requires 10 days of work. Maybe less, depending on the translator. But, certainly, not 2 days.

On the other hand, even though freelancers have more flexibility in their work schedule, they also want to rest during the weekend and make plans with friends and family.

Due to that, they will possible add a surcharge for working during holidays and weekends, and for urgent translations.

These surcharges could increase the cost of your translation up to 50%.

It would have been easier (and cheaper) to plan ahead!

 

If this information was useful, you can complete it with these 4 tips that will save you trouble when requesting a translation.

Have you ever been in these situations?

Have you paid a surcharge on your translation for other reasons?