FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How much do you charge?

  • It varies from project to project.

  • For architecture, I will estimate how long it might take me to accomplish specific tasks, and send you a proposal, to which I will adhere even if it takes me longer. If the scope of my work increases, we will arrive at a new written agreement. I will likely charge quite a bit more that you pay your average staff member, but probably much less than what you charge for your own time. If I have to give up many nights and weekends to meet your deadline, I will charge more. If the project is “fun”, I will charge less.

  • For translation and proofreading work, the traditional approach is to base the fee on the number of words of the document. I charge based on what you send me. If you ask me to translate from English to Spanish, I will base my fee on the number of words in the “source” document (English). If instead you want me to proofread someone else’s translation (NOT Mr. Google’s), I will base the fee on the number of words in the “target” language (Spanish.) If the deadline is very short (“tomorrow”) I will charge a third more (33.3%). If you want me to work directly on a PDF, PowerPoint, etc., I will also charge more. If the project is “fun”, I will charge less.

Do you design houses and buildings?

  • I can (and have), but at this stage in my life what I want to focus on is helping other architects who can benefit from my years of experience and my meticulous (OK..., “picky” or “persnickety”) approach.

Do you build them?

  • NO. I am terrible with a hammer.

Do you charge by the hour, by the drawing, by the page, by the word?

  • YES. See above.

How long will it take?

  • Impossible to know without having an idea of what you need. It also depends on how booked I am already. I do it all, without any staff. You get to work directly with "the boss".

Do you translate over the phone?

  • Most people think translators and interpreters are the same. I like to explain the difference by saying that translators "read and write", while interpreters "listen and speak". I have served as an interpreter a few times, but my focus is on translation.

What's your process, from A to Z?

  • When reviewing architectural construction documents, I usually ask for reduced 11x17 drawings, as well as PDFs of the drawings, and (if in the scope) a full set of specifications. I spend some time reviewing and redmarking the paper drawings, and then work directly on the PDFs using Bluebeam. The annotated PDFs are sent back to you, so you can decide which comments to address, and which ones to ignore.

  • When translating, if the topic is complex, I will first read through the entire original document and highlight terms and acronyms I am unfamiliar with. Then I will consult dictionaries (usually online) and proceed to type the translation.

  • When proofreading, I prefer to work on a MS Word document, using the “track changes” feature, so that the client or the original translator can decide whether to accept or reject my suggested additions or deletions.

Do you accept RUSH projects?

  • Yes, but usually at a higher cost.

What is your experience?

  • As an architect, I attended excellent schools in Venezuela and the USA. I have been licensed “since before you were born” (if you were born after 1981). I have worked for small and large firms, on projects ranging from a garage addition to a $40-million-dollar school.

  • As a translator, I have almost 30 years of experience, but no formal training. Please see the TESTIMONIALS so you can see how satisfied my clients are.

Do you offer guarantees?

  • I guarantee that I will do my best, and that I am rather good at what I do. But we are all human and make mistakes. I am just offering to reduce the number that YOU make.