There are a number of factors that determine the amount that private investigators charge for their services. Understanding how much private investigator costs can help you to plan your budget when hiring a private investigator.
In this article, we are going to look at some of the factors that determine how much a private investigator Brisbane can charge you for their services.
1. Flate/ Hourly Rate.
Some private investigators have a flat rate fee for the services they offer. In this case, the investigator will estimate the amount of time required to get the job done and then determine the amount to charge for his services. If the job will require much time to complete, the hourly prices may range from $40 to $200 per hour with the average being approximately $50 to $75 per hour. The number of hours needed to get the job done will depend on your case. Your private investigator might reduce the hourly rate in case you hire them for more hours.
2. The Type of Service.
The type of investigation you want will also have an impact on the amount you will be charged by private investigators. Some investigations will require the use of sophisticated equipment and other investigative tactics. Such investigation will obviously cost you more. Other investigations that are not complicated, for instance, those that involve basics research from a computer will cost you less amount.
Below are some common sorts of investigations and their costs.
- Surveillance cost between $300 to $1000.
- Locating a person costs between $300 and $600.
- In-depth research costs $300-$600.
- Locating birth parent or kids – $100-$700.
3. Retainer.
Just like the attorneys, private investigators will request for retainers or the upfront costs. Most private detectives who request for retainers typically charges against your retainer and will refund anything extra. The cost of the retainer will vary depending on your specific case. You can expect anything between $1000 to $5000.
4. Experience.
The experience of your private investigator will also determine the amount they are going to charge you. A private investigator with many years in the business is likely to charge you more for his/her services. Having been in business for longer duration means they know what it takes to do your job perfectly and in the first round. You can rest assured that these investigators will succeed in handling your case and that’s why they charge you more. Also, they may have been promoted to higher levels that require higher payments. For convenience, hire an experienced private investigator.
5. Location.
The location of a private investigator can likewise determine the cost of hiring him/her. Things such as travel expenses can add to the cost. If you are hiring a private investigator who is far away from you, the cost will be high than when hiring your local private investigator.
If the private investigator has few or no experience at all then you can expect them to charge you less.
