One of the first questions we get from potential clients is "How much does it cost to hire a Private Investigator?".  Although its a very good question, it's a difficult one to answer.

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Like most things, you will find a wide cost range with investigators based on location, specialty or the complexity. However, beware of comparing one provider with another on the basis of fees alone. The lowest hourly fees may not indicate the best value; an inexperienced professional may take twice as long to complete a case as an experienced one will. Or you may not be comparing apples to apples.

 

A thorough, comprehensive, realistic, ethical investigation is what you should be looking for; not a cheap, partial or illegal one.  We will be happy to provide you with a free consultation and comprehensive rate quote. Please reach out to us via e-mail or phone and we will contact you within 24-hours.

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WHAT IS YOUR BUDGET?

 

One of the first questions we are going to ask you is “what is your budget.” It tends to make people nervous, but it’s really meant to get a sense of what type of solutions that are within your range. If you have a complex matter or you are trying to find someone you haven’t seen in 30 years and only have a budget for a few hundred dollars, that’s okay.  It’s better for us to help set expectations on what we can deliver considering your budget.  We want to be upfront and truthful will all of our potential clients.  

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HOURLY FEES

 

Hiring a private investigator is much like hiring a professional service provider like a lawyer, accountant or a marketing consultant. Hourly rates are the most common fee arrangement. A professional service provider gets paid an agreed-upon hourly rate for the hours worked and within an agreed upon budget.

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FLAT FEE

 

Many services are considered flat fee.  These are services that are simple in scope and well-defined such as an address or phone number lookup.  Maybe you are looking for a report on a parcel of property that you are wanting to purchase.  For example, something like a background check or locating a person may have a flat fee.

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RETAINER AGREEMENT

 

Large jobs that require significant amount of hours usually require a retainer agreement.  It is simply an agreement that states that before a service is performed, the client must pay a deposit towards the work.  Cases that require a large amount of surveillance often require a retainer or what can be thought of as a bank of hours.  Once the bank of hours get close to being used up, the Private Investigator will notify the client that additional funds will be required to continue the work.  The client always has the option to stop the investigation or to continue on.

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FEES

 

While no two jobs are alike, we have listed our normal rates below.  All jobs are subject to a different fee schedule based on scope, complexity and the amount of time spent.  Our goal is to work with customers and to be flexible.

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Hourly Rates:

Our flat hourly rate is billed out at a very competitive rate.  Research, report writing, customized investigations, etc... are usually billed out as a flat hourly rate.  Depending on the nature of the investigation, a retainer may be required as well as minimum hours. 

 

Surveillance Rates:

Surveillance rates are billed out at a slightly higher rate due to the complexity of the work as well as the risk involved.  Each additional resource is billed out at a discounted rate.  Expenses will be billed out at cost.  Drive time for each investigator will be billed out at a discounted rate.  Mileage will be billed out at $ 57.5 cents / mile.  There is a 4 hour minimum for Surveillance cases.  Expenses can include but not limited to hotel, rental car, tolls, restaurant, airfare tickets, etc...  Surveillance cases may require a retainer.

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Worker's Compensation Investigation Rates:

Worker's Comp rates are billed out at an hour rate for the first investigator and then a discounted rate if multiple resources are needed.  Expenses will be billed out at cost.  Drive time for each investigator will be billed out at a discounted rate.  Mileage will be billed out at $ 57.5 cents / mile.  There is a 8 hour minimum for Worker's Compensation cases.  Expenses can include but not limited to hotel, rental car, tolls, restaurant, airfare tickets, etc...  Worker's Compensation cases may require a retainer.

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Locate Report / Missing Persons Investigation Rates:

Locate reports are billed out at a flat rate.  They include names, address history, phone number history, alias history, associates, neighbors and family members (2 degree). 

 

A Missing Person investigation is billed out at an hourly rate based on client's budget and/or completing the case.  Missing persons cases can be very difficult especially if the person does not want to be found.  Typically a case can be completed in 1 to 3 days.  In difficult cases it could take days or even weeks to locate the person of interest.  There are extreme cases where the POI just cant be located due to a variety of circumstances.  There is a 8 hour minimum for Missing Persons cases.  Mileage will be billed out at $ 57.5 cents / mile.  Investigations may include expenses which could include hotel, rental car, tolls, restaurant, airfare tickets, etc...  Missing Persons Investigation cases may require a retainer.

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Asset Report / Asset Investigation Rates:

Asset reports are billed out at a flat rate.  They include a full background history plus a motor vehicle search, deed records, property assessor records, UCC filings, bankruptcy history, liens, judgments and eviction history. 

 

An Asset investigation is billed out at an hourly rate.  An Asset investigation involves tracking down records, hidden assets, collections, verifying addresses, deeds, motor vehicles, etc...  Typically a case can be completed in 1 to 3 days.  There is a 8 hour minimum for Asset Investigation cases.  Mileage will be billed out at $ 57.5 cents / mile.  Investigations may include expenses which could include hotel, rental car, tolls, restaurant, airfare tickets, etc...  Asset Investigation cases may require a retainer.

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Background History Report / Background Investigation Rates:

Background History reports are billed out at a flat rate.  They include names, address history, phone number history, alias history, associates, neighbors, family members (2 degree), UCC filings, bankruptcy history, eviction history and criminal history. 

 

A Background investigation is billed out at an hourly rate based on client's budget and/or completing the investigation.  Background Investigations include tracking down documents, verifying employment history, education degrees and much more.  Typically a case can be completed in 3 to 5 days.  There is a 8 hour minimum for Background Investigation cases.  Mileage will be billed out at $ 57.5 cents / mile.  Investigations may include expenses which could include hotel, rental car, tolls, restaurant, airfare tickets, etc...  Background Investigation cases may require a retainer.

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Other Flat Rate Searches (No Hit - No Fee):

• Property Search

• Business Search

• Social Media Search

• Phone Number Search / Reverse Phone Number Search

• Address Search / Reverse Address Search

• E-Mail Search

• Motor Vehicle Search

• License Plate Search

• SSN # and/or DOB Verification

• Criminal History Search

• Sex Offender Search

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Important: The Public Records and commercially available data sources used in this system have errors. Data is sometimes entered poorly, processed incorrectly and is generally not free from defect. Before relying on data with in a report, it should be independently verified. 

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