Fees

When comparing the prices of detective agencies, understand that the dollar-per-hour rate is only one of several factors you must consider. Other factors include the agency’s experience, expertise, location and proximity to the assignment, as well as their competency. Each of these can affect an agency’s efficiency and thus, have a significant impact on what your investigation will cost.

The standard practice in the private detective industry is to charge clients based on an hourly rate, a mileage rate, and for any out-of-pocket expenses.

Rates

Our work is typically billed at set hourly and mileage rates. The time spent on a case is automatically rounded to the nearest quarter-hour increment. We do not have set hourly minimums for field work, so our client is only charged for the actual time that an investigator spent working on their case. Some typical case expenses may include such things as computer database searches, temporary equipment leases for GPS device and hidden cameras, and preset package prices for digital security, bug sweeps, asset searches, and background checks. These charges are all thoroughly explained in our Fee Schedule and included with our Client Contract.

Expenses

Clients are responsible to pay for any out-of-pocket expenses that are incurred during our investigation. These expenses can include parking fees, fees charged for hiring out-of-area investigators or specialists, receiving computer records, admission tickets, long-distance telephone charges, transcription, polygraph and forensic testing and analysis, and when specifically authorized by our client, long-distance travel expenses such as airfare, hotel accommodations, rental vehicles, and meals.

Estimates

Because every case is different, there is no way for us to say exactly how much a client’s case might cost without knowing the details. If you are interested in receiving an estimate, please get in touch with us using the form below. Initial consultations are free and typically performed by email or phone.

Deposit For Services

Another standard practice of the private detective industry is to collect a deposit payment from the client before starting work on their case. We do the same. The deposit amount is based on an estimate of the work being requested. We make every effort not to exceed a client’s deposit without their knowledge. Upon completion of our work, any difference between the charges incurred and the deposit paid will be refunded to the client upon request. If work was performed that exceeds a client’s deposit, the balance will be due upon receipt of our invoice.

Taxes

Sales & Use Tax will be charged for all investigative services rendered to clients who are located in the State of Maryland (COMAR 03.06.01.39 C), and in the District of Columbia (2011 Sales Tax Law Change OTR TAX NOTICE 2011-03), as required by law. There is currently no requirement to charge sales tax to clients located in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Methods Of Payment

We accept cash, Electronic Funds Transfers (EFT), personal checks, bank checks, and money orders as forms of payment, as well as all major credit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express. We currently do not accept payments from money transfer apps.