The Cost Of A Private Investigator In The UK
How Much Is It to Hire a Private Investigator?
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The cost of hiring a private investigator in the UK can vary based on several factors, including the complexity of the case, the location, the experience of the investigator, and the services required. It is impossible to give an absolute and concise figure, however, I will try to give an outline of the costing involved for the most common enquiries, what may be expected, and why. The below is very much an industry standard and may vary slightly depending on the company.
The first and most important one....
Hourly Rates:
Private investigators often charge on an hourly basis. Rates can range from £40 to £140 per hour, depending on the complexity and nature of the investigation.
More complex cases, such as background checks or corporate investigations, tend to be charged at a fixed rate. Surveillance however, can vary from the bare minimum of £40 per hour to as much as £140 per hour if a large team is needed. Some may be VAT registered, some may not be.
So, what does one get for £40 per hour?
If you’re wondering how much a private investigator costs in the UK, £40 per is common rate for static surveillance – but what exactly does it cover?
A dedicated surveillance operative on location:
One trained professional is assigned to observe a fixed area such as a home, workplace, or another location of interest.
Static surveillance from a vehicle or observation post:
The operative stays discreetly stationed throughout the job, capturing footage and photographic evidence according to the client’s needs.
High-quality video and photo evidence gathering:
Clear, date- and time-stamped footage is created using professional-grade equipment.
Post-surveillance reporting:
Once the job is complete, the investigator returns home to compile a fully documented and legally admissible report. This includes all relevant evidence, making sure it stands up in court if required.
Full day commitment beyond the on-site hours:
While you may only pay for 8 hours of on-site work (£320 total), the operative likely drives 1–2 hours each way. This makes the job a 12-hour+ day.
Footage review and report writing:
Reviewing the footage and compiling the report often takes up to 2 hours—extending the workday to 14 hours in total.
Real hourly breakdown: closer to £22 per hour:
When you account for travel and reporting time, the actual private investigator rate per hour drops significantly.
Unseen out-of-pocket costs:
The investigator may need to refuel, grab meals, and cover other small expenses, which aren’t included in their standard private investigator fees.
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What Does One Get for £50 Per Hour or More?
When it comes to mobile surveillance, the job becomes more complex - and so does the cost. Here’s what’s usually included in this private investigator rate in the UK:
Mobile surveillance across varied environments:
Involves following a subject across public transport, shops, streets, or venues - often for hours at a time.
Minimum of two operatives:
Effective mobile surveillance requires two trained investigators to work safely, discreetly, and without losing the subject.
Advanced tactics and coordination:
Two operatives allow for split coverage, simple handovers, and reduced risk of exposure. These are tactics that simply don’t work solo.
Double the cost, double the coverage:
That £50 per hour becomes £100 per hour for two operatives, or £90 depending on the agency. More complex cases may require even more personnel.
Additional unpaid hours:
Travel to and from the location (1–2 hours each way) plus reporting time can easily extend a paid 8-hour job into a 14-hour workday.
Real hourly breakdown is often much lower:
After all time and expenses are factored in, the operative’s effective rate may drop significantly.
Out-of-pocket expenses add up:
Fuel, food, and operational prep often come out of the investigator’s own pocket, yet they stay included in the fixed private investigator fees.
When asking how much does it cost for a UK private investigator, it’s important to weight skill, risk, and hours, not just the hourly price tag.
So what does one get for £50 per an hour or more?
Now we're talking about mobile surveillance. Mobile surveillance is firstly more labour intensive. It can often involve following an individual throughout long periods and distances. Sometimes on and off public transport, into shopping areas, restaurants and so on. This takes a bit more skill, patience and hard work, and therefore naturally comes at a higher cost. It's also worth noting that any mobile surveillance job should require two operatives as a minimum. This is to allow the operatives to work in a safe and professional manner, minimising any risk of exposure and allowing them to work in a more efficient and professional manner. There are certain tactics that are utilised by having two operatives on a job. These tactics simply don't work alone. Deploying just one operative on a mobile surveillance job is often asking for trouble. Have you ever tried to follow anyone alone throughout the course of a day, remaining with eyes on at all times and having them under full control? If not, give it a try, see how you get on.....Then try it with two of you. How much easier and safer is it now.....
So that standard £50 per hour now becomes £100 per hour, or in some cases £90 depending on the company. For much more complex and larger cases, the rate may increase by £40 or £50 per hour, per extra operative needed. Bare in mind that each operative has to go through the exact same process of commuting to the job and back, along with fuelling up and the old meal deal, or two - for those of us that simply don't have time to meal prep because we were up until the early hours finishing yesterdays report!
Day rates:
For those jobs that require a full 10-12 hours surveillance, private investigator day rates may be offered. A day rate is usually charged at £450-£500 per day, per operative. If the full twelve hours is needed, then this would always be the way to go as it works out slightly cheaper than the hourly rate throughout the course of the 12 hours.
For the much larger corporate jobs that may require several operatives for several weeks, then this day rate can sometimes be brought down slightly.
Get in touch with our team today to find out how much you could pay for your private investigator in the UK.
On the job expenses:
When calculating the cost of a private investigator, it’s important to understand what’s covered in the hourly rate and what isn’t.
Here’s a closer look at how expenses are usually handled:
Client specific travel and accommodation:
If the subject travels (e.g. to Central London), associated costs like train fares, car parks, or overnight stays are not included in the standard hourly rate.
Billed to the client:
Operatives shouldn’t be expected to cover high-cost travel, first-class tickets, taxis, or meals during a job. These fall outside standard UK private investigator rates, and should be billed to the client.
Agreed on upfront or invoiced after
Larger jobs may require an expenses allowance in advance. Others can be billed at cost once the job ends. For minor incidentals, many agencies are happy to absorb the cost.
After travel, prep, and reporting, a £50 hourly rate may already break down to £20/hour. Asking operatives to fund additional job-related expenses would leave them out of pocket.
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People Tracing & Background Check Costs Explained
The cost of a private investigator in the UK for people tracing or background checks can vary depending on how complex the case is and the amount of information available. A standard people trace usually starts from £200-300.
If the client provides clear identifiers such as a full name, date of birth, or last known address, the process is often straightforward and can be completed within 2–3 days. However, if the trace relies on limited data like a phone number or social media account, the cost may rise due to the extra time and resources required.
Background checks usually begin at around £500 and can rise to £800 or more. This is especially true for more detailed cases like catfishing or fraud, where limited or false information requires more in-depth analysis. In some cases (such as international family tracing or genealogy projects) the total private investigator fees can run into the thousands.
Contact Anderson & Co today to discover how our people tracing and background checks can help you get the answers you deserve.
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What Else Can Influence the Cost of a Private Investigator in the UK?
Type of Investigation:
The type of investigation needed affects the cost. Common services include surveillance, background checks, infidelity investigations, and fraud investigations. Surveillance, often required for cheating spouse cases or insurance fraud, tends to be on the higher end of the cost spectrum due to the time and resources involved, as mentioned above.
Location:
The cost can also vary based on the location of the investigation. Larger cities or areas with higher living costs generally have higher private investigator fees. The cost of travelling around London for the day is higher than following someone to the cinema in Stoke on Trent for the evening.
Experience and Expertise:
Experienced private investigators with a proven track record often charge higher rates. They bring a level of expertise and professionalism that may justify the higher cost. If someone is offering you their services for an unrealistically low price, how and why are they offering that? Has any of the above been taken into account? Are the even going to carry out the investigation? Or are they going to go at it alone armed with the latest I-phone and hope for the best. I'd say the latter is more likely and the client will end up with absolutely nothing.
Legal and Regulatory Considerations:
Private investigators need to adhere to legal and regulatory standards. Compliance with these standards may impact the overall cost, as it may require additional resources or specialised expertise.
Consultation Fees:
Some private investigators charge a consultation fee for the initial meeting to discuss the case and assess its
complexity. This fee is typically deducted from the total cost if you decide to hire them. We personally don't but having spoke to those who do, the idea is it gets rid of the time wasters.
Customised Packages:
Private investigators may offer bundled service at reduced rates. While we don’t usually offer packages for surveillance work, we may offer discounts for block bookings of people traces or background checks. We recommend discussing your budget and expectations upfront to ensure full transparency. Always request a clear breakdown of private investigator fees and any extra costs that may arise.
Hiring a PI Is an Investment - Make It an Informed One
Remember, hiring a private investigator is an investment, and it's crucial to balance cost considerations with the need for reliable and accurate information. We understand that many want "just a picture" or piece of information, but to get that "just a picture" there is a whole process we must go through to get to that point. It involves time, planning, resources, people, skill, patience, equipment, and often plenty of caffeine!
As is always the case, ring around, do your research, check the company out on Google and Companies House, dig into their social media and reviews, get a feel for who you are talking to. Do your due-diligence. Don't be afraid to ask questions, and don't hand over you hard earned money and savings to the first person you came across via a paid ad, who then pushes you for your credit card details within minutes of being on the phone! In-fact, with those those types, run a mile!
As always, if you have any questions or queries and feel you may need some form of assistance or advice from a private investigator, don't hesitate to get in touch. We are always on hand and happy to at least advise!
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