How Much does a Private Investigator Cost in Utah?
Here’s How Much It Costs to Hire a Private Investigator In Utah:
Private Investigator Hourly Rate
One of the most significant factors that will impact the cost of a private investigator in the greater Salt Lake City, Utah is their hourly rate. The hourly rate of a private investigator can vary significantly depending on their experience, location, and the type of case you need them for. On average, private investigators in Utah charge between $100 to $250 per hour.
Experienced Private Investigators
Experience is a key factor that influences the hourly rate of a private investigator. Experienced private investigators have more skills, knowledge, and reputation than beginners, and they can charge more for their services. A private investigator who is in high demand and delivers results has a good reason to charge more.
There is a clear difference between a high-quality private investigator and a low-cost one. Moreover, an experienced private investigator may be able to solve your case faster and better, which could save you money and time in the long run. I have witnessed this many times in my over 20 years of being a private investigator.
Some clients make the mistake of shopping around for the cheapest hourly rate, and they end up paying more in the end. The lowest rate may come with hidden fees, errors, or incompetence that prevent the investigation from being done properly.
The Type Of Private Investigation Case
The type of case you need a private investigator for will also impact the cost. For example, a simple background check will cost less than a complex investigation like an alimony termination that is expanded over two months long and requires much more time, multiple investigators, multiple trips to the location, and resources. Additionally, some private investigators specialize in specific types of cases, such as infidelity investigations or insurance fraud, which can affect the price.
Travel Expenses
If your case requires the private investigator to travel to a location, you will likely be charged for the travel expenses to and from the investigation. This will generally be billed for the time of travel and $.67 cents per mile driven. Make sure you discuss these costs with your private investigator upfront, so there are no surprises later on.
Equipment Costs
Private investigators often use specialized equipment to conduct their investigations, such as cameras, listening devices, and GPS trackers. Depending on the type of equipment needed for your case, most private investigators cover the cost of equipment.
Consultation Fees
Many private investigators offer a free consultation to discuss your case and determine if they are the right fit for you. However, some private investigators may charge a fee for this consultation. Make sure you ask upfront if there will be a consultation fee and how much it will be.
Additional Fees
Finally, there may be additional fees associated with your case that you need to be aware of. For example, if your private investigator needs to hire additional outside staff or experts to help with your case, you may be responsible for those costs as well.
What is a Private Investigator and What Services do They Provide?
A private investigator is a professional who conducts investigations for private clients, businesses, or organizations. They use various methods and tools to gather information, such as surveillance, interviews, background checks, research, etc. They can also provide evidence, reports, and testimony for legal purposes.
Some of the common services that Professional Private Investigators PIs provide are:
Infidelity investigations: Private Investigators can help you find out if your spouse or partner is cheating on you, by following them, tracking their phone or online activity, or obtaining proof of their affair. Price Range: $1,500 to $10,000
Cheating spouses: Private Detectives can also help you catch a cheating spouse in the act, by setting up a sting operation, using hidden cameras, or confronting them with evidence. Price Range: $1,500 to $10,000
Child custody investigations: Private Eyes can help you win a child custody case, by proving that your ex-spouse is unfit, abusive, neglectful, or violating the court orders. Price Range: $1,500 to $10,000
Alimony termination: Private Detective can help you stop paying alimony, by proving that your ex-spouse is cohabiting, remarried, or earning more income than reported. Proving alimony cohabitation requires a much more complex type of investigation with specific requirements. You need a private investigation agency with extensive experience in alimony termination experience. Price Range: $5,000 to $12,000
Insurance claims investigations: Private Investigators can help you expose insurance fraud, by verifying the validity of the insurance claim, the extent of the injury or damage, or the identity of the claimant. Private Investigator costs for insurance claims investigations are between $2,000 to $7,000 and experienced private investigation agencies provide legal support for SIU departments.
Missing persons: a PI firm can help you locate a missing person, by tracing their whereabouts, contacting their relatives or friends, or accessing public records. Missing persons investigations can be as inexpensive as a database search for $250 to $5,000 depending on the budget.
Thorough Background Checks: Private Investigators can help you with background checks and generally charge between $250 + depending on the extensiveness of the search.
Workers’ compensation: PIs can help you prevent workers’ compensation fraud, by verifying the employee’s injury, the cause of the accident, or the compliance with the treatment plan. Experienced agencies help to investigate whether a claimant has filed a false claim and help assist insurance companies with important information. Private Investigator costs for workers' compensation claims investigations are between $2,000 to $7,000
Corporate investigations: A Private Detective Agency can help you protect your business, by conducting background checks on potential partners, or investors, investigating fraud, theft, or embezzlement, or performing due diligence. Private Investigator costs for corporate investigations are between $2,000 to $7,000
Business investigations: Utah Private Investigators PIs can also help you gain a competitive edge, by conducting market research, analyzing competitors, or uncovering trade secrets. Private Investigator costs for business investigations are between $2,000 to $7,000
These are just some of the examples of the services that PIs offer. Depending on your specific needs, you may require more or less services from a private investigation firm PI in Utah.
How do PIs Charge for Their Services?
The cost of hiring a private investigator depends on several factors, such as the type of service, the duration of the case, the location of the investigation, the experience and reputation of the PI, and the expenses involved. Generally, there are four main ways that private investigator firms in Utah charge for their services:
Hourly rate: This is the most common way that PIs charge for surveillance or investigating a cheating spouse. The hourly rate can range from $100 to $250, depending on the PI’s experience, location, and the complexity of the case. For example, a background check may take only a few hours, while a long-term surveillance may expand multiple days, weeks, or months.
Flat fee: This is another common way that PIs charge for services such as background checks, missing person locates, court document retrieval, or process serving. The flat fee can range from $250 to $500, depending on the PI’s expertise, the availability of information, and the difficulty of the task. For example, a comprehensive person locate may cost $250, while a bug sweep may cost $500 - $1,000.
Retainer: This is a way that some PIs require upfront for cases that involve an ongoing investigation. The retainer can range from $1,500 to $5,000, depending on the type of investigation, the expected duration of the case, and the anticipated expenses. For example, an infidelity investigation may require a $2,000 retainer, while an alimony termination case (proving cohabitation) may require a $3,000 + retainer.
Expenses: These are additional costs that some PIs charge for travel, mileage, report writing, equipment, etc. The expense rate can range from $0.67, $100 to $150 per hour, depending on the PI’s policies, the distance and location of the case, and the type of equipment used. For example, a local investigation may incur minimal expenses, while a cross-state investigation may incur significant expenses.
How Much Does a PI Cost in Utah?
The average cost of hiring a PI in Utah is:
Hourly rate: $100 to $250
Flat fee: $250 (small services)
Retainer: $1,500 to $4,000
Expenses: $0.67 per mile
Of course, these are only estimates and the actual cost may vary depending on the specific case and the PI you choose. Therefore, it is important to consult with a PI before hiring them and get a written contract that specifies the fees and terms.
How to Find a Reputable and Licensed PI in Utah?
Hiring a PI is a serious decision and you want to make sure that you are dealing with a reputable and licensed PI. Here are some tips on how to find a good PI in Utah:
Check the PI license: In Utah, PIs are required to have an Agency License from the Utah Department of Public Safety to advertise and perform any PI work. The Bureau of Criminal Identification conducts a full United States background check with the FBI law enforcement. the best way to verify the license status of a Utah Private Investigator is by visiting the Utah Department of Public Safety website.
Check the experience: You want to hire a PI who has experience in the type of service you need. You can ask the private investigator about their experience in your type of case. You can also check their website, social media, or online reviews for more information.
Check the reputation: You want to hire a private detective who has a good reputation in the industry and the community. You can ask the PI for their credentials, affiliations, or awards. You can also check the Private Investigators Association of Utah to see if they are members. The best private investigators in Utah are members of the PIAU.
Check the contract: You want to hire a PI who provides a clear and detailed contract that outlines the scope of the work, the fees, the terms, and the expectations. You should read the contract carefully and ask questions if you have any doubts. You should also avoid any PI who states absolutes, guarantees results, makes false claims, or makes unrealistic promises.
Conclusion
The cost of hiring a private investigator in Utah can vary significantly depending on several factors, including their hourly rate, experience, type of case, travel expenses, equipment costs, consultation fees, and additional fees. When choosing a private investigator, it's essential to do your research, ask for references, and make sure you understand all the costs involved upfront. Salt Lake Investigations is happy to answer any questions you might have.
Hiring a PI can be a valuable investment for your personal or professional needs. By following the tips and information in this article, you can have a better idea of how much a PI costs in Utah and how to find a reliable and licensed PI. If you have any questions or need more assistance, please feel free to contact me.
I am a professional PI with over 20 years of experience in Utah and I would love to help you with your case. Salt Lake Investigations was established in 2003 and is a full service private investigation firm in Salt Lake City, Utah serving the unique needs of legal professionals and private individuals. Let our experienced private detectives give you peace of mind and help find the specific information you are searching for. We use information technology to conduct our thorough investigations. Contact us today for a free consultation.
