Short answer: licensed private investigators in Beverly Hills start at about $150 an hour, and most surveillance is planned in full days of 8 hours or more. A typical case starts with a retainer covering 2 to 4 days of work. What you actually pay depends on the case, how careful the other person is, and how many investigators it takes.
We’ve been doing this for nearly 30 years, and “how much?” is the first question almost every caller asks. Here is the honest version.
Our hourly rate: $150 an hour and up
Our rate starts at $150 an hour. Be cautious with an investigator who charges much less. Running a legitimate agency means licensing, trained employees, vehicles, professional camera equipment, and the time to write a report that holds up. A rate far below that usually means something is being cut.
Why surveillance is priced by the day
Most of what we do is surveillance, and surveillance needs time to work. We plan around an 8-hour-plus day. That gives us time to get set up, identify who is coming and going, follow the person when they leave, and document what happens. A two-hour window rarely catches anything.
At $150 an hour, the math looks like this:
| Plan | Hours | Cost at $150/hour |
|---|---|---|
| 1 investigator, 1 day | 8 | $1,200 |
| 1 investigator, 2 days | 16 | $2,400 |
| 1 investigator, 3 days | 24 | $3,600 |
| 2 investigators, 1 day | 16 | $2,400 |
| 2 investigators, 3 days | 48 | $7,200 |
A second investigator matters when the person drives, uses buildings with several exits, or is likely to notice a single car behind them.
Other costs: expenses, reports, and court
- Minimum: every job has a 6-hour minimum. That covers 4 to 5 hours on site plus travel to the job.
- Mileage and expenses: billed separately, and usually small.
- Reports, video, and declarations: billed when your case needs them. Some cases don’t. An insurance fraud case usually does: we prepare the video and document everything in a written report.
- Court testimony: billed as a flat 8-hour day, plus half a day for court preparation.
We work nights, weekends, and major holidays. For rush or urgent cases, call as early as you can, because our calendar often books up in advance.
How payment works: a retainer up front
Like an attorney, we work from a retainer paid up front. After a few questions, we can usually tell you what your case needs, for example 2, 3, or 4 days with one or two investigators. The retainer covers that plan.
- If the case needs more time, you pay as you go for the extra hours.
- If we finish under budget, we refund the difference by check.
We accept all major credit cards, Zelle, Venmo, Cash App, and wire transfers.
How many days will my case take?
It depends on the case and on how careful the other person is.
- Cheating spouse or partner: we often get answers in the first one or two days. When the other person is very discreet, it can take a few days spread over weeks or months. See how we handle a cheating husband or a cheating wife.
- Workers’ comp claims: we usually start with a 2 to 3 day budget. The results decide whether more surveillance makes sense. More on our workers’ comp fraud investigations.
- Difficult process service: billed hourly, because someone avoiding a lawsuit may not leave home on a schedule. See our difficult process service page.
What you’re paying for (and what you’re not)
TV has given private investigators a reputation for bugging phones, hiding GPS trackers, wearing disguises, and talking their way into places. That isn’t how licensed investigators work. We are private citizens running a legitimate business, and our job is to observe, document, and report.
What you get is clear, date- and time-stamped video, a written report of what we saw, and an investigator who can explain it later if your attorney needs it. If someone offers to track a car or record calls for you, that is a warning sign, not a bargain.
Get a straight answer for your case
Every case is different, so the best way to know your cost is a short conversation. Contact us or call (213) 647-4141 for a free, 100% confidential consultation. We’ll ask a few questions and tell you honestly what it will take.
Have more questions first? Our private investigator FAQ answers what clients ask most, from payment to what is legal in California.