A good translation quote starts with scope clarity. Share the source language, target language, word count, subject matter, deadline and file format before asking for cost or turnaround.
For technical, legal, medical or marketing content, include reference material, terminology preferences and any formatting requirements. These details help the team choose the right linguist and review workflow.
If the file is not final, say that early. A draft source file can still be reviewed, but final delivery timelines should be confirmed once the source content stops changing.