Because every project is unique, our translation quote lists all the translation rates for every language pair you order.

 

What is included in LBP Translations’ final translation project fee?

 

To make translated content look like the original, multiple services are used. As a result, translation agencies calculate project costs around additional factors above and beyond only translation rates.

 

However, not every translation agency openly discloses these charges. Many prefer to lure clients by offering enticingly low translation rates only to add other fees to compensate when invoicing.

At LBP Translations, we feel that open communication with clients is key. That is why we do not charge for services that aren’t project critical. LBP Translations does not offer bargain translation rates only to inflate final project costs with unneeded or exaggerated service fees.

Professional translations are composed of complex processes that take many steps beyond basic translation. These steps and services reduce the time needed to complete all tasks, while often lowering project costs as well. Our translation quotes clearly list all steps taken and services used to compute the final project cost and translation price.

 

Our final project cost includes translation rates and:

• project preparation (source review, glossary creation, style guide preparation)

• translation rates per word

• DTP hours and/or localization engineering hours

• project management

• review and/or proofreading

• or other costs based on client’s specific requirements (eg. additional review, file conversion, etc.)

 

 

 

LBP Translations makes a clear distinction between translation rates and final project costs. We do not confuse clients by offering surprisingly low translation rates only to add on ‘hidden’ service charges.

 

Translation rates vs. additional project costs

Clients often make the mistake of assuming that translation rates are the single, most important cost factor to consider when choosing an offer. In fact, clients oftentimes assume that translation rates are synonymous with the final project cost.

While that is not the case and translation rates are only a part of the full project-cost equation, additional costs are also rarely computed in the same way by any two translation agencies. This creates a problem for potential clients, who wish to compare offers from different translation vendors.

 

What to look for?

Some translation companies attract clients by offering initially low translation rates, but then add on service costs to the final price at the end of the project, or to future projects. Other companies offer a higher translation rate but choose not to charge clients for superfluous services, or charge less for remaining services. Whichever is the case, it is important to note that when comparing translation quotes you should not base your decision solely on translation rates, rather on the final project cost and the itemized list of tasks and services it includes.

Reputable translation agencies disclose all the charges that compose the final project price, including services needed to preserve expected levels of quality. Clients should bear in mind that every translation project requires multiple value added steps beyond translation to ensure quality and accuracy.

So, when searching for and comparing pricing proposals, avoid focusing only on translation rates. Ask for a translation quote that clearly lists all the services and all the costs that will make up the final project cost/price/estimate. Remember that value added services reduce the total cost, time and energy needed to complete your project.

 

5 ways to reduce your translation costs

Usually, every translation project requires additional steps to prepare, extract or convert the delivered content into a format used for translation.

Most clients don't have the capacity or time to perform these steps, in which case LBP will perform them in-house. However, clients who are price-conscious can reduce additional service fees by following a few simple guidelines.

 

Before you send your project, we recommend that you:

• make sure that content is extracted. Delivering only software strings requires use of localization specialists to extract the text for translation. Afterwards, localization engineers need to embed the translated text back into appropriate software strings.

• make sure that marketing materials have images and graphs with ample space reserved for translated text, because text usually expands from source to target language. Otherwise, DTP specialists need to work on all images and adapt them for different translated-text lengths.

• make sure that the content delivered for translation is free from mistakes. LBP performs a source review step before every project is initiated. Proofreading picks up any critical errors that can cause costly rework if only noticed at the end of the translation process. This way, projects delivered with source mistakes are cleaned up before all work begins, rather than being boggled down with costly rework at the last stage.

• maintain consistent terminology throughout the content by preparing term glossaries. Term glossaries and style guides help speed up translation and review work across multiple projects. They can be used to reduce costs on future assignments by being stored and updated using Translation Memory tools.

• to avoid file conversion costs, deliver text in its source format. It is best to avoid sending content in PDF format as PDFs make it difficult to extract the content. PDF files also require further DTP work on the assignment.

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Use these simple tips to cut down your translation costs. Also, bear in mind that every translation project usually requires that part, or all of the above steps be performed.

Note: if your current vendor only charges you translation rates for the project neglecting the above tasks, then most likely the final quality is questionable and you are probably paying more in the end to correct it.

 

Low translation rates usually mean low quality work or hidden surcharges added-on after the project is completed. Translation companies that follow a multi-step workflow ensure that expected levels of quality are met.

We recommend that you always ask to see what you're being charged for and what quality-ensuring services were used during the course of your project.