* Specialty Services: Tri-lingual, Tactile, and any recorded or streamed assignments are billed an additional $15/hour to rates listed above.
* Holiday Rates: All requests made on holidays will be billed a flat $130/hr with a two-hour minimum. These rates apply to New Year's Day, Easter Sunday, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving + Friday, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
* Note: Rates listed here reflect general service pricing. Actual rates may vary based on assignment requirements, interpreter qualifications, or contract terms.
Two Hour Minimum
In accordance with industry standards, our interpreting services include a two-hour minimum charge for every request:
- One Hour of Interpreting: The first hour covers our interpreting services
- Admin/Travel Fee: The second hour accounts for administrative tasks and travel expenses
Each assignment is billed for at least one hour of interpreting plus the admin/travel fee, and all services beyond the scheduled time are billed in 15-minute increments. Conferences are typically booked in half-day or full-day blocks, with extended assignments confirmed at booking. Early dismissal of interpreter(s) will be billed at the full scheduled time or the two-hour minimum, whichever is greater.
Admin/Travel Time
Admin/travel time is determined by the location of the assignment from Austin/Travis County:
| Location |
Minimum |
| Austin/Travis County area |
1 hour |
| Kyle, Buda, Cedar Park, Lakeway, Georgetown, Leander, Liberty Hill |
1.5 hours |
| Bastrop, San Marcos, Marble Falls |
2 hours |
The admin/travel rate for locations not listed above will be determined at the time of booking. For multi-day events or assignments outside the Greater Austin area, travel, mileage, lodging, and per diem may apply and will be quoted at booking.
Scheduling & Canceling Interpreters
Requesting Interpreters
Please submit all requests using the 3 Bridges Interpreter Request Form, which can be found on the 3 Bridges website. Once we receive the request, it will be processed, and a confirmation email will be sent, verifying your request and confirming the details. The confirmation email includes a cancellation link. Please use this link if you need to make any changes to your request.
Advance Booking & Deposit
We recommend booking conference interpreters at least two weeks in advance to secure availability, as qualified teams and specialized skill sets are limited. For multi-day events, large programs, or assignments requiring multiple interpreters, a deposit may be required to confirm the booking. Any deposit amount and payment schedule will be confirmed in writing at the time of booking.
Cancellations
Cancellations must be made on the 3 Bridges Cancellation page or by clicking the "Cancel Interpreter" button in the email confirmation. An email confirmation will be sent shortly afterwards. Cancellations cannot be made by phone or email.
Because conference assignments reserve a team of interpreters and dedicated calendar time, any assignment canceled or changed with less than three (3) business days (72 hours) notice will be charged for the entire block of time requested per interpreter, or the two-hour minimum, whichever is greater.
Service Policies
Client No Show
If the client or any person(s) related to the assignment fails to appear, the 2-hour minimum or the full-time scheduled, whichever is greater, will apply and the client will be billed accordingly.
Team Interpreters
Conference assignments are staffed with a team of two or more interpreters who work in shifts, typically rotating every 15 to 30 minutes. This is standard practice for conferences due to the sustained cognitive, physical, and linguistic demands of the work. The number of interpreters assigned depends on the length of the event, the complexity and density of the content, the number of concurrent sessions, and similar factors. Team and staffing requirements are determined at the time of booking.
Preparation Materials
To deliver an accurate interpretation, our team relies on advance access to event materials. Please provide the agenda, run-of-show, slide decks, scripts, speaker names and bios, any videos to be shown, and any technical or specialized vocabulary at least five (5) business days before the event. All materials are kept confidential and used solely for interpreter preparation. Late or incomplete materials may affect the quality of the interpretation.
Logistics, Placement & AV
Interpreters must have a clear line of sight to all speakers and presentation screens, adequate lighting, and a clean audio feed. Please reserve appropriate placement on stage or in the room and include the interpreting team in any AV checks, sound checks, or technical rehearsals. For hybrid or virtual sessions, please provide platform access, interpreter spotlighting where supported, and a brief technology test in advance.
Recording & Streaming
Any recording, broadcast, or live streaming of interpreted content must be disclosed at the time of booking. Recorded and streamed assignments are billed at the specialty rate noted above (an additional $15/hour). Reproduction or distribution of interpreted content beyond the agreed scope requires advance written consent.
Urgent Requests
Requests made within 72 hours of the scheduled assignment are considered urgent and are billed at $110 per hour. We encourage our clients to schedule in advance whenever possible, as we cannot always guarantee services on short notice.
Billing
Invoice
You will receive an emailed invoice shortly after completion of the assignment. Invoices will be sent to the email contact listed on your billing information.
Payment Methods
Our preferred payment method is ACH bank transfer. We also accept mailed checks and credit card payments. All credit card payments are subject to a 3% processing fee.
Late Fees
Payment is due upon receipt. Invoices not paid within 15 days are considered past due. Balances unpaid after 30 days are subject to a late fee of $50 or 10% of the outstanding balance (whichever is greater) every 30 days.