Video Remote Interpretation Services - How Much Does VRI Cost?

Interest in Video Remote Interpreting is booming. Thanks to Covid-19, more businesses than ever before are racing to embrace remote working. As a result, interest in video remote interpretation services is spiking. More importantly, businesses are starting to realize major cost savings by embracing VRI.

Could your business save by working with a Remote Video Interpreter? Here, we’ll look at what average cost savings you can expect from VRI.

What is VRI Interpreting?

Video remote interpretation services are ideal for businesses that need to hire interpreters for client consultations and conference calls.

In the past, you might have hired an interpreter to be physically present in meetings or non-English speaking client consultations. Now, though, you might be hosting meetings and consultations 100% virtually using apps like Skype or Zoom.

When hosting meetings virtually, it makes no sense to have an interpreter be physically present in your office. Video remote interpretation services, therefore, see interpreters join meetings virtually, just like other clients and employees.

l  VRI interpreting is often used when it is necessary to translate spoken English into American sign language.

l  In many cases, business associates and customers prefer to use video remote interpretation services over standard telephone interpreter services.

l  Getting started with VRI is simple. At interpreter agencies like Languagers, you can hire a VRI interpreter the same day that a virtual meeting will take place.

How Much Can Video Remote Interpretation Services Help You Save?

When it comes to how much you can save with VRI interpreting, this will always depend on what language is being translated, industry categories and how many hours you need to hire an interpreter. However, it is possible to put a rough estimate on savings.

l  On average, hiring interpreters to be physically present during meetings and client conversations can cost $50 to $145 per hour.

l  Travel costs are additional costs paid by requestors.

l  In most cases, it is necessary to book an interpreter for a minimum period of 2-hours.

l  American sign language interpreters typically charge higher rates of (approximately) $75 to $125 per hour.

By comparison, video remote interpreters typically charge a flat hourly fee of $35 to $100. Alternatively, phone and VRI interpreters can be hired on a per-minute basis, with rates starting at as little as $0.99 to $3.

How Can You Make Sure You Hire the Right Interpreter?

Given the average cost of hiring in-person interpreters, most businesses can expect to save up to 50% when hiring video remote interpreters. However, when hiring interpreters, it is important not to choose the cheapest interpreter available.

l  While some language VRI interpreters may charge as little as $18 per hour, there will usually be a reason why rates are so low.

l  In many cases, low-budget interpreters will be freelancers with minimal industry experience.

l  In some cases, interpreters might be based overseas and/or not be as proficient in English or other languages as you might hope. 

Thankfully, at Languagers, we rigorously vet the credentials of all the interpreters we work with. This being the case, if you are looking to save by using VRI, we are ideally suited to help you get started.