Translation and Interpreting Agencies vs Freelancers: Which is Better?

 

When you need to hire an interpreter, what exactly is your best option? Should you hire a freelance interpreter? Or is it better to always hire interpreters through interpreting agencies like Languagers? 

 

As it stands there are pros and cons to each side of the freelancer vs agency debate. Here, we’ll therefore look at what these are, as well as which option might be right for your business. 

 

 

 

Interpreting Agencies vs Freelancers - What is the Difference? 

 

 

As a rule, when you hire an interpreter through interpreting agencies in NYC like ourselves, you are hiring a freelancer. The vast majority of translators and interpreters in the U.S. are freelancers. However, finding work independently isn’t always easy. This is why many interpreters choose to work with interpreting and translation agencies like ourselves. 

 

When interpreters choose not to work with agencies, they usually do so because they already have a strong network of regular clients. However, it can also be the case that agencies refuse to work with some interpreters, due to them not being able to satisfy certain minimum skill level requirements. 

 

 

What are the Pros and Cons of Interpreting Agencies? 

 

 

Do you need to hire an interpreter who you can be 100% sure has the skills and experience you need to ensure a job well done? If so, it will usually be best to hire an interpreter through an agency.  

 

At interpreting and translation agencies like ourselves at Languagers, we only work with interpreters who have a minimum of 3-years professional interpreting experience. We also verify that all our interpreters satisfy several basic quality standards. 

• Every Languagers interpreter must be 100% fluent in the languages they say they can interpret. 
• When interpreters apply to work with us as interpreters in specific industries, we go to lengths to verify their industry knowledge and experience. 
• All Languagers interpreters must sign strict confidentiality agreements that work to protect the privacy of each of our clients.  

As a leading interpreting agency in NYC, our team can also connect businesses with interpreters of over 300 different languages in a matter of minutes.  

 

 

 

Interpreting Agency Negatives  

  

 

As it stands, there are very few real negatives for businesses that choose to work with interpreting agencies.  

 

Often, it is commented that agency fees are higher. However, agency fees are taken from interpreters (not end clients) in the form of commission. It is also the case that genuinely skilled independent interpreters usually charge higher fees than most agencies.  

 

The only real drawback to hiring an interpreter through an agency rests with the fact that businesses might not always be able to work with the same interpreter repeatedly. This is because an interpreter might have already been booked by another client. Alternatively, they might be temporarily unavailable as they work on projects with other agencies. 

 

 

On-Demand vs In-House Interpreting 

 

 

Would you prefer to always have access to the same interpreter, rather than a different interpreter every time you need something interpreting or translating?   

 

As a rule, when businesses do want to work with the same interpreter on a regular basis, the best option will be to hire an interpreter in-house or on a retainer basis. However, this can significantly increase interpretation costs. As a result, when businesses only need to hire interpreters occasionally, using agencies like ourselves at Languagers is usually the best and most cost-effective option.