How much to charge for private investigation
Rates reviewed June 2026
Private investigators bill by the hour plus expenses, usually against a retainer paid up front. You are selling time and judgment, not a guaranteed result, so the quote is a range and the retainer protects you.
You should charge
$95
per hour · typical $50–$200
Why this number. Take a retainer up front and bill hourly plus expenses against it. You are paid for the work, not the outcome, so quote a range, never promise a result, and stop work cleanly when the retainer runs low instead of working for free.
Typical private investigation prices
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Hourly investigation | $50 – $150 |
| Surveillance (often two-person) | $80 – $200 |
| Background check (flat) | $100 – $500 |
Free · The words, not just the number
Get the private investigation pricing script
A short, calm script for quoting private investigation in person. The goal is not to pitch. It is to ask a few good questions, say your number once without flinching, and let them talk themselves into yes.
- ✓The questions to ask before you ever name a price
- ✓How to say your number so it lands, then stay quiet
- ✓The line for when they say "that's too much" (no discounting)
- ✓A rate-increase template for clients you already have
- ✓Early access to the paid Pricing Toolkit
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What changes the price
- Case type (surveillance, records, background)
- Whether it needs one investigator or two
- Equipment, travel, and mileage
- Court testimony or detailed reporting
The pricing move most people miss
Take a retainer up front and bill hourly plus expenses against it. You are paid for the work, not the outcome, so quote a range, never promise a result, and stop work cleanly when the retainer runs low instead of working for free.
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Get the reply →Frequently asked questions
How much should I charge for private investigation?+
Most private investigation is priced $50–$200 per hour, with a typical rate around $100 per hour. Where you land inside that range comes down mainly to case type (surveillance, records, background) and whether it needs one investigator or two. Use the range as your anchor, then adjust up for experience, strong demand, and a higher cost-of-living area.
Should I charge by the hour or a flat rate for private investigation?+
Charging by the hour ($50–$200 per hour) is the simplest way to start and protects you when the scope is unclear. But once you know how long a typical job takes, a flat per-job price usually earns more: it pays you for getting faster instead of punishing you for it, and clients prefer a fixed number they can budget around.
How much should I charge for private investigation as a beginner?+
Starting out, price near the lower end of the range, roughly $50 to $100 per hour. Resist going below that to win work: a price that is too low attracts price-shoppers, signals low quality, and is hard to raise later. Once you have a few happy clients and reviews, move toward $200.
What affects how much private investigation costs?+
The biggest factors are case type (surveillance, records, background); whether it needs one investigator or two; equipment, travel, and mileage; court testimony or detailed reporting. Two jobs that look alike can price very differently once these are accounted for, which is why a quick walkthrough or a few questions before quoting protects your rate.
How do I quote private investigation so the client says yes?+
Take a retainer up front and bill hourly plus expenses against it. You are paid for the work, not the outcome, so quote a range, never promise a result, and stop work cleanly when the retainer runs low instead of working for free. Put the quote in writing with exactly what is included, state the price once without apologizing for it, and give one clear next step. A confident, well-structured quote wins jobs at a higher price than a vague one at a lower price.