An editing estimate reflects the manuscript and the kind of work requested. Two quotes can look different because they describe different services, levels of intervention, or review stages. Before deciding which is suitable, establish what your draft needs and what each editor will deliver.
Name the service you are comparing
Developmental editing looks at structure and the larger reading experience. Line editing addresses the writing at sentence level, while copyediting focuses on correctness and consistency. Proofreading is a later check. A lower quote for a lighter service may not solve the problem that prompted you to seek an editor.
Use the current manuscript for the estimate
Word count, condition, complexity, and the amount of intervention affect the work. Send the version you intend to have edited, or explain changes still in progress. A sample can help establish the level of attention needed, but substantial later additions may change the scope.
Check what the deliverables contain
Ask whether you receive tracked changes, editorial notes, a style sheet, queries, or a separate assessment. Understand how feedback is presented and whether a discussion is included. A useful deliverable should help you apply the recommendations, not simply tell you that the draft needs improvement.
Account for review and follow-up work
Some projects require a further pass after the author revises. Others involve only the agreed original manuscript. Confirm how new material, reopened chapters, and additional rounds are handled. Final proofing after layout may need its own place in the budget.
Make the decision from a complete proposal
Compare timing, communication, service boundaries, and the intended outcome alongside cost. Ask for unclear items to be explained before authorizing work. An editing project should have a defined scope that makes sense for the book, not a promise that every draft can be made publication-ready through the same process.
Put It Into Practice
Write the three most important editorial problems in your draft. Use them to assess whether each proposal addresses the work you actually need.
