Clear Quotes, No Surprises
Translation pricing should be easy to understand before you commit — not a surprise on the invoice. This page explains how Locstars quotes projects, what moves the price up or down, and why the number on your quote is the number you pay.
Most projects are priced per word of the source text, because word count is the fairest measure of actual effort. For documents where counting words is impractical — scanned records, official filings, files that arrive as images — we quote per page instead.
Either way, you receive a fixed, itemized quote before any work begins. Nothing starts until you approve it.
Several factors shape the final figure:
✓Language pair — some combinations require rarer specialists than others
✓Subject matter — legal, medical, and patent texts demand senior domain experts
✓Turnaround — rush deadlines can add a premium; flexible timelines can save you money
✓Volume and repetition — larger projects and repeated content qualify for translation-memory discounts
✓Extras — revision, proofreading, desktop publishing, or complex formatting are quoted as separate line items
The quote we send is complete. It lists every service it covers — translation, plus editing and proofreading whenever you add them — with final checks and delivery in your required format. If the scope changes mid-project, we tell you before the cost does.
Is translation priced per word or per page?
Usually per word of source text. Per-page pricing applies to scanned or official documents where word counts are impractical. Your quote states the basis clearly.
Is the quote free? Am I committed to anything?
Quotes are free and carry no obligation. You see the exact cost and timeline before deciding.
Can I lower the cost of a large project?
Often, yes. Volume, repeated content covered by translation memory, and flexible deadlines all bring the price down. Ask us to quote the options.
Does the price include editing and proofreading?
Only when you add them. Editing and proofreading are separate steps, each shown as its own line item on your quote.
Why do you not publish a rate card?
Because a fair price depends on your language pair, subject, and deadline. A generic rate would overcharge simple projects and underprice complex ones — a tailored quote costs nothing.
Free, itemized, and complete—the number on your quote is the number you pay.
Related: Quality Assurance · FAQ