On Swiss construction sites, planners, contractors and suppliers from different language regions work together – and in the documents, every word matters: for liability, for deadlines, for safety. UniTranslate translates tenders, construction contracts and project documents for construction companies, engineering firms, architects and property developers into more than 100 languages, with specialists who master the language of construction and contracts.
When the tender’s submission deadline is non-negotiable
Tenders brook no delay: whoever gets the tender documents into the project language too late does not bid. That is why, during office hours, you receive a quote from us with a binding delivery date within 30 minutes – and when things get tight, an express translation within 12–24 hours. Tell us your submission deadline, and before you place the order we will tell you whether the date can be met.
From the bill of quantities to the safety plan: typical project documents
- Tender and bidding documents, specifications and bills of quantities for international bidders
- Construction and works contracts including addenda, in which warranties, deadlines and contractual penalties must be transferred precisely
- Documents referring to SIA standards and regulations, whose references we keep unchanged so that the contractual basis remains unambiguous
- Texts accompanying construction plans: legends, title blocks, technical descriptions, building specifications for buyers and investors
- Safety and emergency plans, site rules and instructions, which every person on the site must understand in their own language
- Real estate documentation: sales documents, condominium regulations, tenancy agreements, condition reports
Safety documents in particular deserve special care: site rules that part of the workforce cannot understand protect no one. Many construction companies therefore have their instructions translated into the languages of their teams – possible with us in more than 100 languages, from Portuguese and Albanian to Tamil, clearly worded and understandable for the target audience on the site.
Construction language is regional – we translate for the destination country
A “devis” means one thing in French-speaking Switzerland and another in France, and anyone who transfers “Bauherrschaft” literally into English produces frowns instead of clarity. Our translators work into their native language and know the construction practice of the destination country: they choose the terms that contractors, authorities and planners there actually use. For your project, we set up a glossary – once terms are agreed, they apply to every addendum, every set of minutes and every further stage, even over years.
Your route to the finished translation in four steps
- Send your documents: Upload your files – a scan or the original file is enough, even for plans and large file packages.
- Quote with a date: Within 30 minutes during office hours you receive a quote with a binding delivery date.
- Specialised translation with revision: Native speakers with construction experience translate, and a second specialist checks figures, measurements, item numbers and terminology.
- Delivery in the format you want: Reusable in your file formats or – for contracts for authorities, for example – certified on request, by post, by registered mail or as a PDF with a qualified electronic signature (QES). The final, binding decision on form, type of certification and recognition always rests with the official receiving authority – we advise you on this free of charge.
One partner across the whole project lifetime
Construction projects last years, and the documents come in waves: first the tender, then the contract, then addenda, minutes and the acceptance. More than 6000 satisfied customers – including general contractors, planning firms and property developers – appreciate that with us, the same specialists accompany their project across its entire lifetime. You are looked after from our office in Küsnacht ZH, with a permanent contact person who knows your project and your terminology and treats your documents confidentially.
Send us your tender, your contract or your plans – you will receive a quote with a binding delivery date within 30 minutes: Request a free quote →
FAQ
Do you translate tender documents under deadline pressure as well?＋
Yes. Submission deadlines in tenders are fixed – which is why, during office hours, you receive a quote with a binding delivery date within 30 minutes, with express delivery within 12 to 24 hours if needed. Tell us your submission deadline and we will confirm in advance whether it can be met.
Are your translators familiar with the world of SIA contracts?＋
For construction projects we use specialist translators with experience in construction and works contract texts. References to SIA standards and regulations are preserved as such and are not replaced by foreign sets of rules, so that the contractual basis remains unambiguous.
Can you work with plans and CAD-related texts?＋
Yes. We translate legends, title blocks and accompanying texts so that they can be reinserted into your plans – on request directly in your file formats or as a clear bilingual table for your planning team.
How do you ensure consistent terminology across a construction project lasting years?＋
We maintain a glossary for your project with the agreed terms – from building components to contract clauses. All follow-up orders, addenda and minutes are checked against this glossary, even if they arrive months later.
Do you treat tender and bid documents confidentially?＋
Yes. Calculations, bills of quantities and award documents are transmitted in encrypted form, with access restricted to the assigned project team. On request we sign an additional non-disclosure agreement – including towards your client.
