How to Hire a Private Investigator: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Define your goal. Know what you need proven or found, and what you'll do with it (court, peace of mind, business decision).
2. Check licensing. Most states license PIs. Ask for the license number and verify it on the state regulator's site (see our state pages).
3. Look for relevant experience in your case type, and court testimony experience if evidence may be used in court.
4. Compare 2–3 written quotes covering hourly rate, minimums, retainer, mileage and expenses.
5. Sign a written agreement that spells out scope, budget cap, reporting and confidentiality.

What a PI cannot do

Licensed investigators cannot wiretap, hack accounts, obtain phone or bank records through pretexting, trespass, place GPS trackers on vehicles you don't own where prohibited, or help locate someone protected by a restraining order. Requests like these will be refused, and we will not match them.

Sources

• Bark – Private Investigator Costs 2026 ($68–$125/hr average; background checks $100–$900; locating a person $700–$1,200; asset discovery $1,000–$1,600; surveillance $600–$1,600/day)
• HireSecurityNow – Hiring a Private Investigator (2026) ($75–$200/hr general; $90–$175/hr surveillance; retainers $1,500–$5,000; 3–6 hr minimums)
• NearbySpy – PI Cost 2026 ($100–$150/hr typical; custody/infidelity cases $1,500–$5,000; rush adds 25–100%)
• ServeCircuit – Process Server Rate Guide 2026 ($65–$125 routine; $100–$250 rush; $150–$400 skip trace + serve)
• U.S. BEA – Regional Price Parities by State (used for state adjustments)
• IRS – Standard Mileage Rates

Last checked October 2026.