TERMS OF SERVICE AND SAMPLE CONTRACTS

1.  All contracts will clearly outline client expectations as well as the nature of the services to be provided, including goals, deadlines, payment terms, and policies of privacy, cancellation, rescheduling, and refunds.

2.  All agreements are arranged during a free one-hour initial meeting or phone call and executed through an oral or written contracts.  

3.  Terms of contracts are flexible and may be modified by tutor or client, as long as both parties agree.  New terms go into effect at the start of the following lesson.  If the contract is written, a revised copy will be provided to the customer.

4.  Often companies hiring independent contractors (like me) will have contract templates of their own for independent contractors to fill out.  If I am a working on a job as a contractor for another company, you will know this.  The hiring company will inform you of their specific terms and conditions of service, in accordance with their policies.  Those policies will be similar if not identical to the ones I am providing on this web page.

5.  Types of contracts

     A. Oral.  Terms agreed upon verbally between client and company are spoken only. A type of business.  Although it can be difficult to prove the terms of an oral contract in the event of a breach, this type of contract is legally binding.

     B. Written.  All terms are clearly indicated in writing and signed by client and company prior to commencement of services.  Signed copies are distributed to both parties.

6.  Best endeavors:  TOM'S TUTORING & TRANSLATION will make every reasonable effort to achieve the desired objectives.

7.  Sample contracts:  These are included at the end of each section below.  The names have been changed in the samples, but wording is taken directly from actual contracts.

Section 1:  TUTORING

1.  Point of clarification:  Although the words "reschedule" and "cancel" are often interchanged, there is a difference.  Cancellation means complete termination of services and contractual obligations. Reschedule means continue service, but at a different date or time than originally arranged.

2.  Lesson Length:  Typically, lessons last one or two hours per session.

3.  Scheduling Lessons

     A.  Day-by-day or play it by ear:  Clients decide whether to schedule more lessons after each session, and notify the tutor within 3 days of their decision.  For clients on an shifting or tight schedule, the dates and times for subsequent lessons can be discussed each time we meet, but I recommend a consistent schedule to optimize learning.

     B.  Set time frame:  Clients sign up for a specific number of lessons (3-6 weeks typically).  

4.  Rescheduling Lessons:  Tutor must be notified of scheduling conflicts within one hour of a planned lesson.  Charges will be levied for the already scheduled session, if notification of intent to reschedule is not received on time.  This is not the same as a cancellation, since services continue, but at a different time or date than originally arranged. Exceptions may be discussed on a case-by-case basis.

5.  Location:  Lessons take place at a location that is mutually agreed upon by tutor and client to be safe and conducive to a good learning environment.

6.  Payments

     A.  No charges will be levied until client and tutor mutually concur (in writing or orally) that lessons have officially begun.  

     B.  No charges will be levied if sessions are rescheduled or service is terminated within established deadlines for notification of such changes. Exceptions may be discussed on a case-by-case basis.

     C.  Payment is due within four days of the completion of each lesson. Unless other arrangements have been made, payments not received within four days of services provided will constitute automatic cancellation of contracts.

     D.  Payment may be made online, via my web site, or in person or by mail for cash and personal checks only.  However, we caution that letters/payments can get lost in the mailing process.

     E.  The standard charge for tutoring is $35 per hour for each person.  

SAMPLE TUTORING CONTRACTS

1.  This written contract is established between TOM'S TUTORING, TRANSLATION, AND INTERPRETATION and MR. WILLIAM LEVINE on 25 June 2015.  Under the terms, TOM'S TUTORING, TRANSLATION, AND INTERPRETATION will provide MR. WILLIAM LEVINE with Spanish tutoring to improve his conversational skills. Lessons will be given every Tuesday from 30 June 2015 through 25 August 2015 at 10 am. TOM'S TUTORING, TRANSLATION, AND INTERPRETATION has supplied MR. LEVINE with lesson plans for each session in order to cover the client's specific goals and expectations.  Payment of $35 per hour is due immediately following each lesson.  Lesson summaries will be sent to Mr. Levine so that he may track his progress.  This is a day-by-day contract, and MR. LEVINE will decide when to discontinue services, based on progress reports and goals.  Cancellation notification must be provided to TOM'S TUTORING, TRANSLATION, AND INTERPRETATION within 4 days of the next lesson.  Any scheduling changes must be addressed no later than one hour prior to the next lesson.

2.  This written contract is established between TOM'S TUTORING, TRANSLATION, AND INTERPRETATION and MS. BONNIE MEYERS on 25 June 2015.  Under the terms, TOM'S TUTORING, TRANSLATION, AND INTERPRETATION will provide BONNIE MEYERS with 6 months of lessons in English as a Second Language for the STAFF OF LATOYA'S RESTAURANT IN BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.  The client's goal is to improve her staff's knowledge of English as it applies to the restaurant business.  TOM'S TUTORING, TRANSLATION, AND INTERPRETATION will develop one-hour sessions to be presented in an informal classroom at the restaurant on Tuesdays.  LATOYA'S RESTAURANT will provide the tutor with a white board, paper, pencils, magic markers, and a free lunch. TOM's TUTORING, TRANSLATION, AND INTERPRETATION will administer evaluations and issue progress reports to MS. MEYERS, and MS. MEYERS will provide feedback to ensure lessons remain on track.  Payments of $35 per hour per person are due immediately following each session. Since there are 5 students taking this class, the total cost to MS. MEYERS will be $175 per session.

Section 2:  TRANSLATION

1.  Location:  Translation takes place at a location that is mutually agreed upon by client and translator to be safe and conducive to yielding an acceptable product.

2.  Final product:  All translations will be completed by the established deadline, and customers will be notified as soon as documents are ready for pick up or delivery.

3.  Rescheduling your due dates:  As soon as you notify us of changes to due dates or times, we will make every endeavor possible to adjust to the situation and make the new deadline.  This will be discussed on a case-by-case basis.

4.  Payments

     A.  No charges will be levied until client and translator mutually concur (in writing or orally) that a project has officially begun.  

     B.  No charges will be levied for projects cancelled or rescheduled prior to established deadlines for notification of such changes.

     C.  Payment is due within four days of the completion of each project. Unless other arrangements have been made, payments not received within four days of services provided will constitute automatic termination of contracts.

     D.  Payment may be made online, via my web site, or in person, or by mail for cash and personal checks only.  However, I caution against making payments via mail, since letters/payments can get lost in the process.

     E.  The standard translation fee is $35 per typed page (or portion of a page) for projects that are 4 pages or less, or $27 per typed page (or portion of a page) for projects that are five pages or larger. Two hand-written pages are counted as one typed page.

SAMPLE TRANSLATION CONTRACTS

1.  This written contract between TOM'S TUTORING, TRANSLATION, AND INTERPRETATION and WILLIAM LEVINE is established on 30 June 2015.  Under the terms, TOM'S TUTORING, TRANSLATION, AND INTERPRETATION will translate a five-page document from English to Spanish for MR. LEVINE by 10 am on Friday, 3 June 2015.  This includes formatting the translated material into a PDF file using the same font as the original document and delivering the finished product directly to MR. LEVINE by the deadline. Payment of $27 for every typed page translated (total of $135) will be due within 4 business days following delivery.

2.  This written contract is established between TOM'S TUTORING, TRANSLATION, AND INTERPRETATION and MS. BONNIE MEYERS on 30 JUNE 2015.  The terms indicate that TOM'S TUTORING, TRANSLATION, AND INTERPRETATION will provide BONNIE MEYERS with a translation of a one-page document from Spanish to English for $35. The format and font of the translation will be the same as the original document.  The finished product will be picked up at our offices by MS. MEYERS by 10 am Saturday, 3 July 2015.  Since MS. MEYERS will deliver the document to the Department of Immigrations, an official certification of translator form approved by the USCIS will be completed and signed by the translator and included with the final product.

Section 3:  INTERPRETATION

1.  Session Length:  Typically, sessions last one or two hours.  Some contracts may specify a two-hour minimum. 

2.  Scheduling Sessions

    A.  Day-By-Day or play it by ear:  Clients decide whether to schedule more sessions after each session, and notify the interpreter within 3 days of their decision.

    B.  Set time frame:  Clients sign up for a specific number of days.

3.  Rescheduling Sessions:  Interpreter must be notified of scheduling conflicts within one hour of a planned session.  Charges will be levied for the already scheduled session, if notification of intent to reschedule is not received on time.  This is not the same as a cancellation, since services continue, but at a different time or date than originally arranged. Exceptions may be discussed on a case-by-case basis.

4.  Location:  Sessions take place at a location that is mutually agreed upon by client and employer.

5.  Best endeavors clause:  The interpreter will make every reasonable effort to achieve the desired objectives.

6.  Payments

     A.  No charges will be levied until client and interpreter mutually concur (in writing or orally) that sessions have officially begun.  

     B.  No charges will be levied if notification of intent to reschedule or cancel services completely is received within established deadlines. Exceptions will be discussed on a case-by-case basis.

     C.  Payment is due within four days of the completion of each session. Unless other arrangements have been made, payments not received within four days of services provided will constitute automatic cancellation of contracts.

     D.  Payment may be made online, via my web site, or in person or by mail for cash and personal checks only.  However, we caution that letters/payments can get lost in the process.

     E.  The standard charge for interpretation is $35 per hour for each person.  

SAMPLE INTERPRETATION CONTRACTS

1.  This written contract is established between TOM'S TUTORING, TRANSLATION, AND INTERPRETATION and MR. WILLIAM GONZALES on 25 June 2015.  Under the terms, TOM'S TUTORING, TRANSLATION, AND INTERPRETATION will provide MR. GONZALES with simultaneous interpretation services to help MR. GONZALES communicate his needs effectively to his doctors at KERNAN REHABILITATION CENTER.  Services will be provided every Tuesday from 30 June 2015 through 25 August 2015 at 10 am.  Payment of $35 per hour is due immediately following each session.  This is a day-by-day contract, and MR. GONZALES will decide when to cancel services, based on progress reports and goals and doctor recommendations. Cancellation notification must be provided to TOM'S TUTORING. TRANSLATION, AND INTERPRETATION within 4 days of the next session.  Any scheduling changes must be addressed no later than one hour prior to the next scheduled session.

2.  This written contract is established between TOM'S TUTORING, TRANSLATION, AND INTERPRETATION and MS. BONNIE MEYERS on 25 June 2015.  Under the terms, TOM'S TUTORING, TRANSLATION, AND INTERPRETATION will provide MS. MEYERS six months of legal interpretation services from Spanish to English.  MS. MEYERS is aware that MR. TRUITT is not certified as a legal interpreter, but she has viewed his resume and checked his references, and his skills are a fit for her needs. MR. TRUITT will remain on call from 10am until 8pm every day thIS contract is in effect, and MS. MEYERS will pay MR. TRUITT $35 per hour of services provided on an as needed basis.