How Do Contract Translation Companies Charge?

Contract translation is an important service in legal translation, requiring not only linguistic skills but also knowledge of legal terms and contractual language. Therefore, the pricing for contract translation is influenced by several factors. Here are the main considerations for how contract translation companies charge:

1. Charging by Word Count

Most translation companies charge based on the word count of the contract. For Chinese contracts, they typically charge per thousand words, while for languages like English, they may charge per word or per character. The pricing may vary based on the volume of the contract; larger or more complex contracts might come with discounts or additional fees.

2. Charging by Language Pair

The pricing can also depend on the language pair being translated. Common language pairs, such as Chinese to English, usually have stable pricing. However, less common language pairs (e.g., Chinese to French, Chinese to Japanese) may incur higher fees due to the limited availability of qualified translators and the increased difficulty of translation.

3. Charging Based on Specialization

Contract translation often involves legal, business, or financial terminology, which can make the translation more complex. Therefore, contracts requiring specialized knowledge or expertise are typically priced higher. Legal translations, in particular, require a high level of accuracy, as any errors can lead to legal disputes, which justifies a higher rate.

4. Translation Quality Level

Some translation companies offer different levels of service. For example, basic translation, refined translation, or proofreading by a native speaker. For legal contracts, especially those with clauses and legal implications, refined translation and expert proofreading are often necessary. These services are usually priced higher.

5. Urgency Fees

If there is a tight deadline for the contract translation, companies typically charge an additional rush fee. For example, a contract that needs to be completed in one day might incur a surcharge of 20%–50% over the normal rate. Different companies may have varying rush fee policies.

6. Additional Services

In addition to standard translation, some companies offer extra services such as formatting, creating a glossary, or proofreading the translated contract. If clients request these additional services, the charges will increase depending on the complexity and scope of the work.

Summary

The pricing for contract translation is not fixed and varies depending on factors such as language pair, specialization, service level, and urgency. When choosing a translation company, businesses should consider not only the price but also the professional capabilities, translation quality, and after-sales service provided by the company to ensure the accuracy and legal validity of the contract translation.

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