If you’re worried about the cost of a private investigator, you’re probably facing some serious allegations. First off, don’t panic. A private investigator could cost thousands of dollars depending on the details of your case, and you may not need to hire one at all.

We know you want to do as much as possible to fight the charges against you, but most clients can’t afford a private investigator, and typically their services are unnecessary. The most important first step is to talk to a lawyer.

How Much Does a Private Investigator Cost?

Typically, you should expect to pay between $75 to $200 per hour for a private detective. The actual rate will vary depending on the charges against you, the complexity of your case, the investigator’s experience and credentials, and your geographic location.

Some investigators offer flat-rate services. However, most of those are for routine services like employee background checks.

To break it down, you’ll first need to figure out whether you need an hourly-rate service or a fixed-rate one. The majority of Michael & Associates clients would require hourly-rate services, which add up very quickly. It doesn’t make financial sense for most of our clients to pay those rates.

However, if you’re in the middle of a contentious divorce or are fighting for child custody, it might be worth the expense to hire a private investigator if it resolves the issue and saves you years of legal fees and/or extended court battles.

Hourly-Rate Services

Some detective services are billed by the hour. The hourly rate can range from $75 to $200. The rate you pay will depend on several factors, including where you live, the investigator’s experience and licensing, and whether you choose an individual or a firm. Services include:

• Surveillance
• Undercover investigations
• Field investigations
• In-person interviews
• Telephone interviews
• Online or database research
• Social media research

Flat-Rate Services (Per Jurisdiction or State)

Background investigations: $225.00 to $750.00 

Criminal history: $225.00

Financial asset searches: $1,250

Brokerage account searches: $1,500

Non-financial asset searches: $500

Subject locates: $750 to $850

Additional Costs

Retainer fees: This will depend on the scope of the work, but expect to deposit about $1,500 or more

Discretionary costs: Ask if you’ll be required to foot the bill for discretionary costs, including mileage, travel expenses, database access fees, and use of specialized equipment or software.

Report preparation: You may have to pay between $100 and $500 for an investigative report

Legal fees: Ask if you’ll be required to pay additional fees is called to testify in your case

Factors Influencing Detective Costs

If you need to hire an investigator, choose someone with experience. Ask for recommendations and read reviews. Are they accredited? For that kind of money, you need someone who is discreet and effective.

Several factors can impact the total cost:

Experience and expertise: Investigators with specialized skills (such as financial forensic analysts) will charge higher rates.

Geography: Investigators in urban areas may have higher rates due to higher operating costs.

Case complexity: A simple background check will cost less than cases requiring extended surveillance or a detailed investigation.

Length and scope of the investigation: If your investigation is expected to take a long time, the hourly costs will add up quickly.

Tools and equipment:  If your case needs special equipment, you’ll probably have to foot the bill.

READ MORE: How much does a DWI lawyer cost?

Ethical and Legal Considerations of Hiring a Private Investigator

Privacy laws: There are state and federal laws in place to regulate private investigators. Almost all states (including Texas) require licensing. Alaska, Idaho, Mississippi, South Dakota, and Wyoming are the five states that don’t require a license. The federal Privacy Protection Act and Electronic Communications Privacy Act limit the methods of information-gathering and surveillance that PIs conduct.

For example, these laws prevent investigators from intercepting electronic communications, including emails and texts. They also can’t trespass on private property to conduct surveillance.

Ethical boundaries: Ethical guidelines vary by state, but typically include:

• Maintaining client confidentiality
• Conducting investigations in a legal and honest manner
• Avoiding conflicts of interest

Admissibility of evidence: Ensure that any evidence gathered will be admissible in court. Your lawyer will be able to help you with this process. You don’t want to spend thousands of dollars on an investigation, then learn that the information gathered won’t help you in court.