Basic Surveillance Start
Starting retainer: $1,500
- One investigator
- Defined surveillance window
- Photo/video when lawfully obtained
- Written summary report
Pricing & Retainers
Clear starting points for serious private investigation work.
Pricing is shown so clients can understand budget before intake. Final fees depend on scope, urgency, travel, risk, number of investigators, and deliverables. Work begins only after written agreement and retainer.
| Service / Item | Typical Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Investigative field time | $125/hr | Standard rate for surveillance, field work, locates, and case activity. Minimums apply. |
| Research, records, and report preparation | $95–$125/hr | Used for public-source work, records review, written reports, timelines, and case administration. |
| Attorney / litigation support | $150/hr | Fact packs, litigation timelines, legal-support documentation, and counsel-facing work. |
| Court appearance / testimony | $175/hr | Four-hour minimum. Travel, waiting time, and preparation may apply. |
| Second investigator | $95–$125/hr | Used when safety, coverage, or case complexity requires it. |
| Mileage / travel | $0.70/mile | Unless otherwise quoted in writing. Tolls, parking, lodging, and unusual expenses billed at cost. |
| Rush / after-hours start | $350+ | Applies when immediate scheduling or non-standard urgency changes workload. |
Retainer policy
Retainers protect the schedule and keep expectations clear.
Retainers are applied against billable time and approved case expenses. Unused funds, if any, are handled according to the written service agreement.
Starter
$1,500+
Short initial scope, limited surveillance, basic locate work, or a defined public-source matter.
Most Common
$2,500–$3,500
Standard private-client surveillance, cohabitation review, attorney support, or blended field/research work.
Complex / Extended
$5,000+
Multi-day surveillance, litigation-sensitive matters, multi-investigator coverage, or higher-risk assignments.
Popular packages
Investigation packages built around deliverables.
Packages create a practical starting budget. Final scope is confirmed before work begins.
Standard Private Client Case
Starting retainer: $2,500–$3,500
- Surveillance plus research support
- Objective-based plan
- Case updates
- Organized findings and media log
Attorney Rapid Fact Pack
$750–$1,500
- Public-record and public-source review
- Timeline / lead memo
- Screen captures and source links
- Clear limitations noted
Social Media / Public-Source Review
Starting at $450
- Known identifiers and public profiles
- Open-web references
- Preserved screenshots
- Brief findings memo
Relationship / Cohabitation Public-Source Review
$950–$1,750
- Public-source relationship indicators
- Public address and routine clues
- Timeline-style documentation
- Works well before/with surveillance
Business Due Diligence Lite
$950–$2,500
- Entity and public-record review
- Open-web adverse context
- Affiliations and reputation flags
- Executive summary
Important limitations
Pricing never overrides legality or fit.
DarkWater does not guarantee outcomes, does not conduct unauthorized account access, and does not provide consumer reports for employment, tenant, credit, insurance, or similar eligibility decisions. Any matter involving active court orders, protective orders, domestic conflict, minors, or sensitive data receives additional intake review.
Before work starts
- Client identity and matter type reviewed
- Objective and scope confirmed in writing
- Retainer paid
- Communication and reporting expectations set
Need pricing or next steps?
Request a confidential fit call.
Every matter begins with legality, fit, objective, expected deliverables, and retainer requirements.