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Translation - art & business » Interpreting »
How much to charge for interpreting
Thread poster: Evgenia Attebery
Evgenia Attebery
Evgenia Attebery
United States
Local time: 14:07
English to Russian
+ ...
Nov 22, 2011

Hi! My name is Evgenia Attebery. I live in US. I provide mostly written translations, but recently
I was asked to do a few interpreting jobs. My language pair is English-Russian-English. What is the reasonable amount I should charge per hour? How do I charge a client if they need me to go to a different state? Do they pay me for the whole day or just for the hours I work, because if it wasn't for them, I could be making money, translating something else? I would think the client pays for m... See more
Hi! My name is Evgenia Attebery. I live in US. I provide mostly written translations, but recently
I was asked to do a few interpreting jobs. My language pair is English-Russian-English. What is the reasonable amount I should charge per hour? How do I charge a client if they need me to go to a different state? Do they pay me for the whole day or just for the hours I work, because if it wasn't for them, I could be making money, translating something else? I would think the client pays for my flight and living expenses (lodging and food) in addition to the hourly pay. The last interpreting job I did, didn't go according to the schedule I was provided. It was supposed to be 3 hours a day for 3 days. It turned out to be more than that. In addition, on the very first day I worked for 6 hours in the morning, then my client cut me loose, and I was supposed to come back in about 3 hours for a business dinner. It wasn't discussed in advance. I can't be going back and forth every 3 hours or so. It basically takes up my whole day instead of promised 3 hours a day. What should I do in this case? I understand that things don't always work as planned. When a plan changes, should I discuss the new payment terms? I appreciate any help. ▲ Collapse
 
Edward Vreeburg
Edward Vreeburg  Identity Verified
Netherlands
Local time: 23:07
Member (2008)
English to Dutch
+ ...
get some more details Nov 23, 2011

It seems you've already asked yourself all those questions, now you should be able to answer them yourself...

What is the reasonable amount I should charge per hour?
Just think what you would make by translating from home, multiply that by 3, and charge by the day of 1/2 day

How do I charge a client if they need me to go to a different state?
- client pays all, meals, transport, hotel (and you don't advance it!)

Do they pay me for the whole da... See more
It seems you've already asked yourself all those questions, now you should be able to answer them yourself...

What is the reasonable amount I should charge per hour?
Just think what you would make by translating from home, multiply that by 3, and charge by the day of 1/2 day

How do I charge a client if they need me to go to a different state?
- client pays all, meals, transport, hotel (and you don't advance it!)

Do they pay me for the whole day or just for the hours I work, because if it wasn't for them, I could be making money, translating something else?
- whole dat or 1/2 day, possibly even travel time

I would think the client pays for my flight and living expenses (lodging and food) in addition to the hourly pay.
- yes

The last interpreting job I did, didn't go according to the schedule I was provided. It was supposed to be 3 hours a day for 3 days. It turned out to be more than that. In addition, on the very first day I worked for 6 hours in the morning,
- customer would need two interpreters, you're not really 'fresh' after 3 hours

then my client cut me loose, and I was supposed to come back in about 3 hours for a business dinner. It wasn't discussed in advance.
- make tight schedule, include overtime and dinner stuff

I can't be going back and forth every 3 hours or so. It basically takes up my whole day instead of promised 3 hours a day. What should I do in this case?
- charge a whole day

I understand that things don't always work as planned. When a plan changes, should I discuss the new payment terms? I appreciate any help.
- no you should make plans in advance about extra and unforseen issues, normal schedule from 09:00 to 17:00 , overtime and extra work +150% ▲ Collapse
 
Evgenia Attebery
Evgenia Attebery
United States
Local time: 14:07
English to Russian
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
thank you Nov 23, 2011

Thank you very much, Edward. It helped a lot.
 


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