As we are often asked the same questions, we thought it might help to print some of these online.

How can I be sure my work will be treated confidentially?

Apart from the fact that we pride ourselves on our integrity, your work is protected in writing. For projects such as manuscripts, a standard confidentiality agreement is signed. For those clients who have ongoing work with us, a standard, simple agreement containing a confidentiality clause is signed.

How quickly can I expect to receive my work back? What type of extra charges are involved for rush work?

We try to get our clients' work back as quickly as possible, in most cases within a day or two. Through special arrangements and with a surcharge, clients can have jobs done during off-hours and on weekends.

I have 30 minutes of dictation. How long will that take you to transcribe?

Without actually hearing the tape, it is hard to give a definite answer. Generally speaking, though, if both the sound and dictation quality are very good, it should take about three times the length of the recording (one individual dictating). With poor sound quality, poor dictation, multiple speakers, or background noise, the time to transcribe can increase from four to six times the length of the recording. This is why the quality of the sound and dictation can make such a difference to the overall transcription costs.

You list proofreading as a separate service. Does this mean you don't normally proof your work?

All our clients' work is carefully proofed to meet our high standards. Our transcribers proof as they go along and then again very carefully after the work has been produced. Our proofreading service is for those who require existing documents or websites to be proofed.

Why do you charge for general transcription by the hour and not by the page?

After giving it careful consideration and through trial and error, we have elected to charge by the hour. On average, our hourly rate is comparable to most per page, per recorded minute, or per line rate. For jobs in which the sound and dictation quality is good, our hourly rate is probably more cost beneficial to clients than any other way of charging. Apart from a small, minimum charge, all jobs are charged to the minute. Regular clients receive a weekly printout showing how much time they have used that week allowing them to budget accordingly.