Once the indexer has seen the proofs, this estimate may have to be revised. The indexer should return the index to you within the specified period. If you expect an index to be done particularly quickly, involving evening or weekend hours, expect a higher fee for the job. The Society of Indexers recommends a minimum hourly rate for indexing. Those who offer a specialist knowledge and some years of productive indexing will request and should receive more.
Most indexers are happy to negotiate a lump fee on sight of the proofs.
Renegotiation may be necessary if the work proves to be taking longer than first thought. Difficult texts that require time to formulate entries, the words of which may not actually be in the text itself, will also take more time and deserve higher reward. The fee should be commensurate with the type of index required, i.e. level of detail, readership, length and when it is needed. Your publishing house may require the indexer to sign a contract. The editor should also use this list as a quick guide to checking the quality of the index.