Private Investigator Costs depend on how investigators charge, how long the work takes and how many people it needs. Here is how pricing works and what common services cost.
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Request a Private Investigation QuoteHow Investigators Charge
- Hourly rate. Roughly R500 to R2,000 per investigator hour.
- Daily rate. Common for surveillance, often from about R6,500 for a single-day operation.
- Fixed fee. For defined work such as a background check or a polygraph test.
- Retainer. An upfront amount drawn down as hours are worked.
- Travel. Mileage, tolls and accommodation outside the investigator's area.
- Specialist work. Digital forensics, bug sweeps and forensic accounting are priced separately.
- Reporting and court time. Detailed reports, affidavits and court attendance may be extra.
Private Investigator Costs by Service
Ballpark prices so you can sanity-check a quotation.
| Service | Ballpark price |
|---|---|
| Background Checks | R550 - R6,300 |
| Cheating Spouse Investigations | R6,300 - R25,000 |
| Surveillance Services | From R6,500 per day, from R12,500 per week |
| Missing Persons Investigations | R7,000 - R44,000 |
| Debtor Tracing | R1,500 - R10,000 |
| Corporate Investigations | R8,000 - R100,000 |
| Fraud Investigations | R5,000 - R15,000, or a share of the loss on larger matters |
| Insurance Investigations | R10,000 - R30,000 |
| Polygraph Testing | R550 - R5,000 per person |
| Pre Employment Screening | R750 - R2,500 per polygraph, plus checks |
Prices JUST UPDATED. Indicative ballpark figures in rand, rounded. They are compiled from prices published by South African investigation firms and typical market rates. They are not our prices or quotations, and no investigator is bound by them. Confirm VAT, travel and what each quotation includes.
Describe your case once and compare written quotations.
Request a Private Investigation QuoteWhat Affects the Price
- Hours and days. Surveillance costs rise with every shift.
- Operatives and vehicles. Following a moving subject often needs two or more.
- Distance. Work far from the investigator's base adds travel.
- Timing. Nights, weekends and short notice can cost more.
- Complexity. Multi-province, cross-border or high-value matters take more work.
- Evidence standard. Court-ready reports and testimony cost more than a verbal update.
Comparing Quotations
- Ask each investigator to quote on the same scope and hours.
- Check what the report includes and when you receive it.
- Confirm VAT, travel, retainer terms and refunds of unused hours.
- Check PSIRA registration before you pay.
Request quotes through Private Investigators South Africa and compare what each investigator includes.
Private Investigator Costs FAQs
Do private investigators charge by the hour?
Many do, at roughly R500 to R2,000 per hour. Others quote a fixed fee per case or per day of surveillance.
Why do I have to pay a deposit or retainer?
Surveillance and tracing tie up people and vehicles before results are known. A retainer covers that time. Ask how unused hours are handled.
Is travel extra?
Usually. Expect mileage, tolls and sometimes accommodation when the work is outside the investigator's area.
Does a higher price mean better results?
Not necessarily. Compare the scope, hours, operatives and reporting each investigator offers, not just the total.
Do I pay if nothing is found?
Usually yes, because you pay for the time and work, not for a result. Agree in writing what happens if the subject does not move or cannot be found.
Private Investigators South Africa is a referral and quote service. We do not carry out investigations and we do not employ investigators. Work is quoted and carried out by independent investigators, and your agreement is with the one you choose. Ask for a written quotation and proof of PSIRA registration before you pay a deposit. No investigator can promise a particular result or that evidence will be accepted by a court.
Private Investigator Costs. Describe what you need once and get the best quote, fast.
Request a Private Investigation QuoteGet the Best Quote, Fast
Keep it brief. Do not send ID documents, passwords, intimate images or evidence through this form. Your enquiry is passed only to investigators suited to the job, and you decide whether to go ahead.
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