Separate the cost categories
Editorial support may cover language, structure, references or formatting. Statistical work can involve data preparation, analysis and outputs. A journal or publisher may separately charge for submission, publication or an open-access option. Keep these items in distinct lines in your comparison.
Check the journal’s current terms
Read the official fee page for your article type and chosen publication route. Note the currency, taxes where applicable, waiver or discount process and whether institutional arrangements may apply. Do not rely on an old fee list or assume that every journal from the same publisher uses the same model.
Ask for a scope-based quotation
For support services, state the draft length, condition, file format and deadline. Confirm what happens if you add data, change journals or request extra revision rounds. A per-word price is not comparable with a full-project price unless the included tasks are clear.
Plan for uncertainty without buying promises
Keep contingency time and budget for legitimate revisions or a new submission package. Verify payment instructions before paying a publisher. Acceptance, indexing and citation outcomes are independent of the amount paid for editorial support.