One of the first questions you have when considering working with a private investigator is how much it costs. Private investigator costs are not simple; in fact, they depend on many factors, including what you are hiring them for. The services that you require can often dictate your final cost of working with a private investigator. While we can provide a wide range of costs per hour, this blog will look deeper at what it costs for you to hire a PI for specific services in the state of Utah.
Per Hour Or Flat Rates
It is important to note that some services and investigators have hourly rates, while others have a flat rate that you pay at the end of the completed service. These rates may also depend on the state. Here are some common private investigator costs for specific services in the state of Utah.
- Infidelity, cheating, child custody, alimony: $100-250 per hour
- Insurance claims, workers’ compensation, corporate and business investigations: $100-250 per hour
- Missing persons: $200-1,000 flat rate fee
- Background checks: $20-200 flat rate fee
Different cases with unique circumstances can increase the price of a private investigator. Since you are paying for the private investigator’s time, using resources, and some cases can take more time than others, per hour rates are most commonly used for PIs to get paid what they are worth.
How Much Does It Cost To Catch A Cheater?
Now let’s look at a specific case, cheating or infidelity. Hiring a private investigator to look into a cheating partner will incur charges by the hour. Typical range for Utah is $100-250 per hour. During cheating and infidelity investigations, PIs will go to common places this person frequents, including their workplace or gym. They may also look at phone records, conduct surveillance, and obtain financial information.
Depending on how much evidence and information needs to be gathered, the hours a PI has to work on the case will increase. More complex cases will end in higher final payments, but catching a cheater where the partner already has sufficient evidence will cost less.
How Much Does It Cost To Investigate Fraud?
In fraud cases, a similar hourly rate will apply. $100-250 an hour will be charged to uncover fraud or financial crimes of any size. Fraud that is committed by one person will often be easier to solve, especially by a skilled PI, but embezzlement, petty theft, or long-term financial crimes can take months or years to gather enough evidence to create a case. These longer cases could result in thousands of dollars in payment.
PIs with more experience may charge at the higher end of this hourly rate, but will complete the job in a shorter period, resulting in a moderate payment for clients.
Skills And Experience Affect Rates
A seasoned PI will have some knowledge and tricks that other PIs may not. Years in the industry, knowledge, and special skills can impact how much a private investigator charges per case. There will be clear differences between a quality investigator and one who is just starting. When it comes to criminal cases or gathering evidence, you truly get what you pay for. It will be worthwhile to pay a little more for a quality investigation than one that is riddled with mistakes and hidden fees.
Additional Charges You Could Experience
While private investigators charge you for the services they complete with an hourly rate, they may also charge clients for additional things like travel. You should be aware of additional fees that could be tacked on to the investigation costs, including:
- Travel expenses (either per mile or a flat rate to spend time in a location)
- Equipment costs or repair
- Consultation fees
If the cost seems a little high, you may be able to work with your PI to limit the amount of resources that are used or the amount of surveillance they conduct to save you some money.
Private Investigation by Our Team
St. George Private Investigations offers quality investigations for many types of cases in the state of Utah. We can help you with background checks, fraud investigations, infidelity, child custody, surveillance, and much more. Working with a licensed private investigator may be a higher investment, but it will be worthwhile in the long run. Dealing with criminal and financial investigations can be emotionally draining, especially when you are handling it on your own. Working with our investigators will help you get the best evidence needed for a court case or legal battle. Call us at 435-862-5265 to learn more about our services and get started today!