Our rates were initially calculated based on time studies conducted before the popularity of off-site file storage systems and before restrictions on e-mail file attachment size returned (in the early days, there were many restrictions and then those lessened, but now they're back). Today, there are more charges, penalties, and restrictions than ever from service providers. Right now, we have to charge more for people who deposit extremely large files into our rented storage system. You can reduce your costs by using a different recording device that uses a smaller audio file format or by using software to convert those large files to a smaller format. If you want us to download from your site, let us know, however, please make sure that your download site is trouble-free or we will ask you to use our storage site.
Transcription
 | Medical transcription: $.13 per 65-character line including spaces. | ||||
| General transcription (nonmedical): One person dictating: $.13 per 65-character line, includes spaces. Rate applies to digital and high quality taped recordings. | ||||
| Interviews:
| ||||
| Focus Groups: $16.00 per hour (for OUR labor). Amount of labor depends on quality and other factors. | ||||
| Seminars, meetings, presentations: $16.00 per hour (for OUR labor). Amount of labor depends on quality and other factors. | ||||
| Media transcription: This includes video/audio combinations, files such as .mov. In many cases, the audio can be stripped from this media and converted to a smaller format without reducing audio quality. These can also be shipped to us on DVD and will probably be much less expensive than uploading to our file storage. Rate for just the transcription (not including storage charges) is $2.50 per recorded minute assuming original video format such as .mov. Your rate for just the transcription decreases if you convert the audio to a common smaller audio format such as .wma or even .mp3. The rate for media transcription is higher because it uses different software than other transcription and it takes longer to transcribe as the software is slower to respond. |
To estimate our final labor charge:
| For seminars and related hall and auditorium events, multiply actual recorded length by 5, then multiply by the hourly rate. |
| For cassette taped interviews with one guest, multiply actual recorded length by 4, then multiply by hourly rate. |
| Focus groups: Multiply actual recorded length by 6, then multiply by the hourly rate. |
| For digitally recorded interviews: Multiply the recording time by $1.35. |
Note: The above will only give you a very rough estimate of our labor time. We cannot quote end prices without hearing the actual recordings on our equipment. Our rates are subject to change without notice.
Additional Expenses (if applicable):
| Shipping: Includes FedEx, UPS, or US government priority mail. |
| Cost of floppies or CDs removed from this office. |
| Long distance phone calls to download recordings if no toll-free number is provided. |
| Printing expense and cost of paper. |
| File storage at our rented site - Applies to wave (.wav) and other large audio file formats as well as all video/audio media formats. We rent the storage site, and we will charge you the same rate as http//filestogo.com charges us. If you use these large formats, please consider switching to a more compact audio format such as .dss. mp3, .wma, and so on. |
| Pick-up and delivery. Local only. $15.00 per hour plus .37 (37
cents) per mile. |
Word Processing
$.13 per 65-character line - straight typing from print source document
$16.00 per hour - from handwritten legible source document
$16.00 per hour - document repair, updating, etc.
HTML Document Preparation
$16.00 per hour - FrontPage 2002
Internet Research
$16.00 per hour
File Storage
Only applicable to those submitting file to our rented file storage site, http://filestogo.com. We will use the same rates filestogo.com charges us. Your current privileges include uploads only. Do not open your own account at Files To Go as my customers will use my account. Please contact me and I will issue your own password. Please visit the demo at http://filestogo.com. The demo shows files submitted by anyone. In real life, I am the only person who will see your name and your files.
No prepayment required. Payments may be made by business or personal check, postal money order, bank draft, or via PayPal. Terms: Net 30 days. Accounts over 30 days will include a 1.5% monthly service charge.
We will notify a customer as soon as a major problem is discovered with any audio recording so you can decide if you wish us to continue or not. For example, if the audio quality of a taped recording is extremely poor and would cost too much to transcribe, we will tell you before continuing to work on the project. We definitely do not want to eat up your money. By the same token, if you just want part of a recording transcribed, let us know.
B. Krultz & Associates, N10334 Sidney Avenue, Greenwood, WI 54437
general office services ||
transcription services ||
pkbk@badger.tds.net
Rates FAQ
There may appear to be differences in rates between cassette tapes and digital recordings. Both rates are based on time studies and other factors, and both are based on the same base rate. In other words, if a tape and digital recording were equal in all factors, the end cost should be the same. To be fair to all our clients, we had to separate taped and digital recordings because tapes are generally poorer quality due to factors unique to that type of media. Tape quality varies significantly, which results in a high degree of variation in the amount of labor needed to transcribe taped audio recordings.
In addition, certain types of recording events can increase the amount of labor. If you have a focus groups with several participants talking at the same time, it takes more time to transcribe than, for example, one person dictating a letter.
There are a lot of factors that can affect the amount of labor needed to transcribe a project. We have an entire page devoted to these factors here.
