When a translation quote lands in your inbox, you probably check the total first. As a Language Service Provider (LSP), we get it. You have a budget, and you need to know whether this project fits. But before you compare prices, check that the quote covers everything you need.
Look at your files, the original language, and each language you’re translating into. Your audience matters, too. Spanish for customers in Mexico may need different wording from Spanish for customers in Spain.
That attention pays off. CSA Research’s 2020 survey found that 76% of online shoppers preferred products with information in their native language.
Our guide to choosing the language service you need can help you connect the scope to your business goals.
You’ll often see a word count multiplied by a rate. “Source words” means words in your original document. “Target words” means words in the translation. Check which count your LSP uses, because the length can change between languages.
For a made-up example, 2,000 source words at $0.15 per word would come to $300 for one language, before other charges. A second language adds another translation cost, potentially at a different rate.
Some tasks are billed hourly or as a flat project fee. Small jobs may have a minimum charge. Our article on translation service costs explains the factors behind pricing. Ask us to walk through any calculation that doesn’t add up for you.
If your quote separates “new words,” “repetitions,” and “fuzzy matches,” you’re seeing how much content may be reusable. This is especially relevant when your business updates the same manuals, product descriptions, or training materials regularly.
A translation memory stores previous translations. An exact match matches a saved segment, while a fuzzy match is similar but needs attention. Repetitions are passages that appear more than once.
These categories may carry reduced rates, depending on your LSP’s pricing. They still need appropriate checking for context. Ask what each discount covers and whether your existing translations can help. Our explanation of translation memory shows how that reuse works.
Two quotes can cover the same word count and involve very different work. Look for whether you’re buying human translation, machine translation with human editing, or another agreed approach.
Then check whether a separate linguist reviews the translation.
This deserves a clear answer. In the 2024 ALC Industry Survey reported by Slator, 29% of 70 companies using machine translation said they used large language models to produce it. You shouldn’t have to guess where technology fits into your project.
“Post-editing” means a person reviews and corrects machine-generated translation. Our article on the machine translation process explains the human work involved. We can help you match that approach to how your content will be used.
Your brochure may need more than translated sentences. Longer text can shift the layout, and words inside images may need separate handling. Check whether formatting, sometimes called desktop publishing, is included and what files you’ll receive.
A translated Word document and a finished brochure ready for printing are different deliverables. If your team expects the latter, get that written into the quote.
Sending editable files and settled copy helps us understand the work before pricing it. Our advice on preparing clean source content is useful here. Also check whether project management and any required certification are included or charged separately.
Before approving, check when the turnaround clock starts. It may depend on receiving your final files, approval, or deposit. Confirm whether the schedule allows time for your team’s feedback and whether rush charges apply.
Then check the currency, applicable taxes, payment deadline, and quote expiration date. Ask how revisions are handled, particularly if you change the original text after work begins.
Our guide to working with an LSP explains what to expect next. If anything feels unclear, send it back with your questions. LSPs would much rather talk through a line item now than have you discover an unexpected cost later.
Are you looking for any support with translation needs? If so, get in touch. Consultations are free and there’s no obligation.
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