Should You Hire a Private Investigator? An Honest Cost Breakdown

Private investigators typically charge $75–$200 per hour depending on your market, with most surveillance engagements requiring two investigators for reliable coverage — meaning a single day can run $600–$2,000 or more before expenses.

A retainer of $500–$2,500 is standard before work begins, and most legitimate investigators require a written fee agreement.

Hiring a PI makes the most sense when: you need court-admissible surveillance evidence, your own attempts at surveillance risk detection, or you need database research (vehicle records, address history) that isn't publicly accessible.

The most cost-effective approach for most people: do your own investigation first using digital, financial, and location methods, then bring a PI in for a single, targeted confirmation day rather than an open-ended search.