| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Poll: Do you charge a surcharge for translation of PDF to Word converted documents? 投稿者: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Do you charge a surcharge for translation of PDF to Word converted documents?".
This poll was originally submitted by EN/ES>DE. View the poll results »
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It depends if a CAT tool is required, but usually I don't.
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Depends. If the source text is in PDF and my CAT tool works OK with it or if it can easily be converted to Word by say NitroPro, then I don't charge extra and apply source document word count.
However if it's a scan copy that can't be properly converted or can be converted with major defects only, then I apply word count based on the target text. And things also depend on the quality of the source copy.
| | | | neilmac
スペイン
Local time: 01:11
スペイン語 から 英語
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Nowadays, I can usually convert most PDFs into a workable word-compatible format, either with Nitro Pro or MS Office/Word. As long as I can modify the text without having to waste time fiddling about with formatting issues, I don’t see any reason to charge extra.
However, if the job does involve any faffing about other than basic translation, I might propose a hike, which usually ends up with the client providing the text in a more accessible format, or deciding to do the DTP/formatting ... See more Nowadays, I can usually convert most PDFs into a workable word-compatible format, either with Nitro Pro or MS Office/Word. As long as I can modify the text without having to waste time fiddling about with formatting issues, I don’t see any reason to charge extra.
However, if the job does involve any faffing about other than basic translation, I might propose a hike, which usually ends up with the client providing the text in a more accessible format, or deciding to do the DTP/formatting themselves. ▲ Collapse
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If it is something simple like a Danish baptism certificate (which is used as a birth certificate) I probably do not charge extra, as I have a template and can easily fill in the details about as effectively as using a CAT.
Otherwise I ask for the PDF, because the conversions often make a real hash of the extra Danish letters, æ, ø and å, and the OCR or conversion has trouble with other combinations too.
However, these PDFs sometimes come from private individuals who... See more If it is something simple like a Danish baptism certificate (which is used as a birth certificate) I probably do not charge extra, as I have a template and can easily fill in the details about as effectively as using a CAT.
Otherwise I ask for the PDF, because the conversions often make a real hash of the extra Danish letters, æ, ø and å, and the OCR or conversion has trouble with other combinations too.
However, these PDFs sometimes come from private individuals who have to pay VAT on top of my rate... and the documents are small, so I tend to keep the rate moderate if possible.
With agencies I point out that it takes extra time and effort, and negotiate some kind of payment for it if I can. Some say they will find another translator! Which makes me feel guilty, but I hope the next translator wants to be paid too, and the agency goes along with it when they run out of time. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Ana Vozone 
Local time: 00:11
2010に入会
英語 から ポルトガル語
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the conversion is not 100% perfect and editable.
My translation rates are for translation work, and so I usually charge the extra time it took me to (re-)format the text. I let the client know in advance that I will be charging extra for this.
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And they get back the same format as I get.
If the text is really untranslateable, then I just send it back.
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But I'm starting to think I should.
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DianeGM
Local time: 02:11
2006に入会
オランダ語 から 英語
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| Sometimes ... | Oct 5, 2016 |
I do a fair quantity of handwritten medical notes which come to me in pdf/jpg format.
When I know the formatting and deciphering will take longer than regular translation, I do charge extra.
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Because I don't accept scanned PDF documents. In my book, PDF = Pretty Dead Format.
Besides, clients in Japan provide text in digital editable format. Otherwise, it would be a very laborious task to figure out the total number of source characters, and almost impossible in the case of big documents 100's of pages long. FYI, clients in Japan are obligated by law to provide this info in PO's.
Small edits
[Edited at 2016-10-05 12:35 GMT]
[Edited at 2016-10-05... See more Because I don't accept scanned PDF documents. In my book, PDF = Pretty Dead Format.
Besides, clients in Japan provide text in digital editable format. Otherwise, it would be a very laborious task to figure out the total number of source characters, and almost impossible in the case of big documents 100's of pages long. FYI, clients in Japan are obligated by law to provide this info in PO's.
Small edits
[Edited at 2016-10-05 12:35 GMT]
[Edited at 2016-10-05 23:11 GMT] ▲ Collapse
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I turn them down if they are not provided in editable format... not worth the hassle... 
| | | | Katrin Bosse (X)
ドイツ
Local time: 01:11
オランダ語 から ドイツ語
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Ana Vozone wrote:
My translation rates are for translation work, and so I usually charge the extra time it took me to (re-)format the text. I let the client know in advance that I will be charging extra for this.
Same here. If the conversion is straight-forward and if practically no formating is necessary, I don't charge for it.
In other cases, when the converted WORD file is a multi-layered mess of texts, inserted graphics and text fields, I usually leave it to the client: re-formating the translated document is an extra service that they can either do in-house, or pay me to do it. Either way works for me.
[Bearbeitet am 2016-10-05 12:38 GMT]
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Like Diane I have been working for some time with a medical doctor from whom I receive handwritten notes in pdf format. At first, I charged extra because I did spend a lot of time trying to decipher what she had written, but not any more… On the other hand, one of my best clients (a direct client who pays very good rates and gives me work every month) always sends non-convertible PDFs, so we agreed on charging according to the target word count.
| | | | | Not applicable | Oct 5, 2016 |
I don't use Trados so it's fine translating the original PDF
Old skool, innit?
| | | | Ilan Rubin (X)
ロシア連邦
Local time: 02:11
ロシア語 から 英語
| I normally refuse to translate PDFs | Oct 5, 2016 |
It's the client's job to send me a text in editable format. If there was some good reason why that was impossible I would translate the pdf subject to a heavy surcharge (I would think about 50% as it would be a much slower job) but that hasn't happened as yet.
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