How Is the Cost of a Translation Calculated?
By Konstantinos Menyktas*
Most professional translators have heard this sentence at some point in their careers: “You’re too expensive. I found someone cheaper.”
While it’s understandable that clients are looking for affordable services, it’s important to clarify that the cost of a translation is not randomly calculated. It reflects a combination of several key factors each of which contributes to the quality and reliability of the final result.
1. Complexity of the Text
Not all texts are created equal. Translating a legal contract, medical report, technical manual, or financial document is very different from translating a restaurant menu or a casual email. Specialized fields require in-depth research, deep knowledge of terminology, and high accuracy, especially when the stakes are high.
The translator’s expertise, often backed by years of study and professional experience, comes at a cost, just like you’d expect from a lawyer, doctor, or engineer.
2. Deadline and Format Requirements
Tight deadlines often mean that translators must rearrange their schedules, pause other projects, and work evenings or weekends. A 25-page document needed in 48 hours? That’s not just “urgent”, as the translator needs to pause everything else to take on the project. Naturally, this affects the price.
Additionally, if a document has a complex layout (tables, footnotes, formatting), or if it’s a scanned file that’s not editable, the extra time needed to work on it is also calculated into the cost.
3. Not All “Translators” Are Professionals
Some clients compare professional translators to people who are simply bilingual or offer cheap services online. But speaking two languages doesn’t make someone a translator, just like owning a stove doesn’t make someone a chef.
Unqualified translators may miss nuances, make terminology errors, or deliver a product that needs to be redone, which ends up costing more in the long run.
But there are also professional translators who undercharge, often undervaluing their own skills. This hurts both the quality of the market and the sustainability of the profession.
4. Other Factors That Influence Cost
A fair translation quote takes into account:
- Text difficulty and length
- Required delivery time
- Quality and format of the source material
- Language pair (some combinations are rarer or more in-demand)
- Subject matter expertise
- Whether the client is a regular or long-term partner
Let’s also not forget that professional translators are business owners too. Their rates must cover:
- Taxes and VAT
- Social security contributions
- Professional association fees
- Software licenses and continuous training
- Cost of living
5. You’re Not Just Paying for Words. You’re Paying for Value
A professional translator will always explain the breakdown of a quote and what you’re paying for. If your first reaction is “You’re too expensive, I found someone cheaper,” we kindly remind you that quality work comes at a price, as in any profession.
If you value clarity, accuracy, and cultural relevance, especially for important content, then investing in a professional is not a luxury, but a necessity.
Want to keep your translation costs down without compromising quality?
➤ Check out our related article: “3 Ways to Make Your Translation More Affordable”
If you’re looking for reliable translation or localization services in Greek, English, French, Russian, Spanish, Italian, German, and more, feel free to visit our websites:
🌐 konstantinosmenyktas.com
🌐 linguisticbridge.com
Who we are
We are a small team of three certified translators offering personalized language services tailored to your specific needs. With a focus on collaboration and quality, we work closely with you to ensure every detail is just right. Your satisfaction is our priority, and we’re here to make the process smooth and effective.
Our motto: “Language services are more than a job. It is human communication.”
*A few words about the author…
Konstantinos Menyktas is a freelance translator, proofreader, and interpreter with expertise in law, economics, article translation & writing, and subtitling. He runs his own freelance business, partnering with individual clients and medium-sized companies in Greece. Outside of work, Konstantinos enjoys attending theater plays, watching films, and staying active through regular workouts. He is also a dedicated volunteer with the Panhellenic Association of Professional Translators Graduates of the Ionian University (PEEMPIP).
