Poll: Do you charge rush rates for overnight work? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Do you charge rush rates for overnight work?".
This poll was originally submitted by Terejimenez
View the poll here
A forum topic will appear each time a new poll is run. For more information, ... See more This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Do you charge rush rates for overnight work?".
This poll was originally submitted by Terejimenez
View the poll here
A forum topic will appear each time a new poll is run. For more information, see: http://proz.com/topic/33629 ▲ Collapse
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Firstly, whether I would accept 'overnight work' in the first place would depend on what time the job came in and how large the job was (i.e. the feasibility) and also on what I had on the next day - I always try to get a good night's sleep if I know I have a lot to get throught the following day.
Whether I charged a higher rate for such work would depend on all of the above and also on the client and whether or not it was a regular client, as opposed to a new one, for example.
... See more Firstly, whether I would accept 'overnight work' in the first place would depend on what time the job came in and how large the job was (i.e. the feasibility) and also on what I had on the next day - I always try to get a good night's sleep if I know I have a lot to get throught the following day.
Whether I charged a higher rate for such work would depend on all of the above and also on the client and whether or not it was a regular client, as opposed to a new one, for example.
All in all, then, a rather vague answer I'm afraid!
Vicky ▲ Collapse
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If it is one of my major clients then I probably wouldn´t. If it is a client who always wants something done very urgently and if the job is very difficult and thus more difficult to take on after office hours as there are fewer places to consult about specialised words then I will usually charge a rush rate, about 50% higher than my regular rate.
During times when I do not have a lot of other work (this spring this year was one such occation) I might not ask for rush rate despite... See more If it is one of my major clients then I probably wouldn´t. If it is a client who always wants something done very urgently and if the job is very difficult and thus more difficult to take on after office hours as there are fewer places to consult about specialised words then I will usually charge a rush rate, about 50% higher than my regular rate.
During times when I do not have a lot of other work (this spring this year was one such occation) I might not ask for rush rate despite of the above.
I am a night person so it is probably easier for me to do an over-night job than it is for someone else. The added rate is because I might have to reorganize regular jobs (to the extent that it is possible) and that is a factor which makes me want compensation for my flexibility. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Interlangue (X)
Angola
Local time: 10:55
English to French
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| Do not accept | Nov 7, 2009 |
No more rush jobs for me... I work 12+ hours a day and need nights to rest and be fit for the next day.
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I often work at night and work late at night, so it's not unusual. I charge rush rates for jobs where they want it in the same working day,if i get a job in the morning and they want it before the end of office hours, or if they specify RUSH.
| | | | Robert Forstag 
United States
Local time: 04:55
Spanish to English
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| I could not imagine *not* doing so... | Nov 7, 2009 |
...given the disruption having to do such a job would cause. In fact, to my mind, any work that requires a turnaround of, say, 18 hours or less merits a "rush rate," given the disruption, anxiety, sleeplessness, etc. involved in having to meet the deadline. I would apply the same kind of premium to any work presented on weekends.
The only exception would be a very short and easy job for a regular client (e.g., a 200-word letter that involves no research).
Along with doi... See more ...given the disruption having to do such a job would cause. In fact, to my mind, any work that requires a turnaround of, say, 18 hours or less merits a "rush rate," given the disruption, anxiety, sleeplessness, etc. involved in having to meet the deadline. I would apply the same kind of premium to any work presented on weekends.
The only exception would be a very short and easy job for a regular client (e.g., a 200-word letter that involves no research).
Along with doing a good job, meeting deadlines, etc., it is important to set limits as well. They are not paying you to be on retainer and you are not contractually obliged to accept every job a client offers you. Yet some clients do behave as if this were the case.
[Edited at 2009-11-07 14:19 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Jenn Mercer
United States
Local time: 04:55
Member (2009)
French to English
I would be more likely to not accept an overnight job rather than charge rush fees. On the other hand, if I'm in the mood to pull an all-nighter, I will. I would then make a decision on whether there would be rush fees on the number of words needed in the time available, the complexity of the job, and my existing relationship with the client.
Then again, I am a bit of a night owl. I would say no if it would have a negative impact on a family event the following day.
| | | | Sheila Wilson
Spain
Local time: 09:55
Member (2007)
English
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| Look professional at all costs | Nov 7, 2009 |
Robert Forstag wrote:
Along with doing a good job, meeting deadlines, etc., it is important to set limits as well. They are not paying you to be on retainer and you are not contractually obliged to accept every job a client offers you.
I feel this is a very important point. We must be seen to be professional at all times, in the eyes of our clients.
Some have answered that they are "night owls". Fine, but are they "professional" if they let their clients pay the same rate for an overnight job? I think not. Of course, they are lucky that they can make a killing at 150% or even 200% of their normal rate, whilst "day .. whats???" like myself lose out while getting their much needed beauty sleep.
PLEASE, stop looking at my photo! And, no, I'm not fishing!
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| Quite surprised... | Nov 8, 2009 |
... to read that 25% of those who answered do not charge a rush fee!
I would have guessed the percentage was less, and there would be more people in the "sometimes" slot. I do add a surcharge, and clients have no problem with it; I would say they even expect it when they are asking for rush jobs. I have made very few exceptions, and all because of a compelling reason.
Sheila, why stop looking at your pic? You do look quite professional, maybe just a bit sleep-deprived...![]() ... See more ... to read that 25% of those who answered do not charge a rush fee!
I would have guessed the percentage was less, and there would be more people in the "sometimes" slot. I do add a surcharge, and clients have no problem with it; I would say they even expect it when they are asking for rush jobs. I have made very few exceptions, and all because of a compelling reason.
Sheila, why stop looking at your pic? You do look quite professional, maybe just a bit sleep-deprived... (Hope you do not mind the joke. I just could not resist...) ▲ Collapse
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I charge a 10% premium for more than 2,500 words a day because I know that above that level I will end up working through the night. I'm a night owl, but that's of my own choice; if someone wants me to work through the night, they are going to have to pay extra for it.
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