The following is a synopsis of a discussion on the Editors Guild listserv in
June 2002.
Question
Any thoughts on what is considered a "standard"
rush charge for copyediting? 25% extra? 50% extra? What experience have you had
with this?
Responses
For me, it depends on the type of client. Trade book
publishers and periodicals, my regular rate is $20/hour and my rush rate is
$25/hour. Corporate/advertising/web clients, my regular rate is $30/hour and my
rush rate is $40/hour. I usually don't take rush work because it jeopardizes my
ability to meet deadlines for clients who have planned better. I try to set my
rush rates accordingly.
* * *
It depends on how crazy it makes you and how disruptive it
is to your life. Also on how complex the project and how (un)reasonable
the deadline.
* * *
Why do rush work at all?
* * *
In answer to the query about why accept rush projects at
all, the obvious answer is *because you need the work*! If you don't need the
work and don't want to do it -- whether rush or not -- then hey, you can always
tell the client to get lost! That's why we're freelancers!
* * *
I'd charge 50% extra since it's a light copy edit. However,
if you get into it and find it needs more, I'd have another conversation with
the client.
* * *
I have marked up 50% on a rush writing project. I'm
not sure if copyediting would be any different--don't see why it would.
* * *
I get the feeling that in general editors/proofers don't
charge rush fees for just any job. There's always a sense of 'over and
above' about it, and one primary element is that the charge must not come as a
surprise to the client when they get the invoice; it needs to be on the table
from the start, or at least, if something goes haywire in a job that began in a
standard way, I would feel I'd need to contact the client right away to let them
know something unanticipated had come up.
It's a situation that tests the client's loyalty to you as
editor/proofer; if they know they've received first-rate work from you before,
and want it again now, they need to decide whether to pay for it or perhaps risk
calling in an unknown new wordworker.
* * *
My rate for rush and/or weekend work is 150% of my regular
rate (that is, I add 50%). A designer client actually suggested this formula,
and I was happy to accept his suggestion.
I *really* want to dissuade clients from calling me up at
the last minute, so I find it very helpful and appropriate to have such a policy
in place. When they know there is a penalty, they often plan better, but
otherwise they don't really have an incentive to do so.
Also, when you tell clients there is a penalty for asking
you to do rush/weekend work, they sometimes decide/realize that they don't need
it that quickly after all, which is all to the better in my view. We shouldn't
be working around the clock or on weekends. We should be livin' the life!
* * *
I sometimes find it necessary to keep a valued client. But
I concur that setting rates to discourage it really separates the wheat from the
chaff.
* * *
Question
If someone asks for 60 hours of work to be completed in one
week, should the editor apply a rush rate to the overtime hours or to all of the
hours?
Responses
I would refuse the work. Because I'm working on several
projects at any given time, I usually allow 10 hours/week per client/project. 60
hours in a week is ridiculous. No reason for that except a client that is unable
to adequately manage a schedule.
* * *
About the prospect of a 60-hour project to be done in one
week -- and assuming I wanted to do the work -- I would start high and ask the
client for 150% of my fee for the entire 60 hours. You can always back down from
there. Or the client can back off their unreasonable deadline.
Negotiate, negotiate, negotiate...
