Private Investigator Costs
Fixed pricing from £120. No hidden fees. No hourly rates that spiral. You get a written quote before we start, so you know exactly what you are paying.
Free consultation No obligation 100% confidential
Investigation costs at a glance
Every price below is a fixed starting point. Your actual quote depends on the scope and complexity of your case, but you always know the full cost before we begin.
People Tracing
- Full UK address search
- Electoral roll and credit file checks
- Results within 24-72 hours
- Written confirmation of findings
- Bulk orders of ten or more traces are £25 each
Background Checks
- Identity and address verification
- Employment and education history
- County Court Judgements (CCJs)
- Directorship and company checks
Surveillance
- Full-day operative deployment
- HD photo and video evidence
- GPS vehicle tracking (where lawful)
- Detailed timestamped log and report
Relationship Investigations
- Surveillance by a professional operative
- Discreet personal consultation
- Photographic evidence gathering
- Written report with findings
Fraud Investigations
- Asset and financial tracing
- Digital forensic analysis
- Witness and evidence gathering
- Court-ready fraud report
Corporate Investigations
- Employee misconduct inquiries
- Intellectual property protection
- Due diligence and compliance checks
- Board-level confidential reporting
Also available: Legal Support from £150
How our pricing works
We do not use unpredictable hourly billing. Here is how we keep your costs transparent from start to finish.
Free consultation
Call us or fill in our contact form. We listen to your situation, assess what is needed, and explain your options. This conversation costs nothing and carries no obligation.
Fixed written quote
Based on your consultation, we provide a fixed quote in writing. This covers everything: operative time, travel, equipment, evidence gathering and reporting. No surprises.
50% deposit to begin
Once you approve the quote, a 50% deposit secures your investigation. We accept bank transfer, credit cards and PayPal. The balance is due on completion.
Detailed report delivered
You receive a full written report with all evidence gathered. If the case requires court-ready documentation, we prepare everything to CPS standards at no extra charge within the quoted price.
What affects the cost of an investigation?
Six factors determine your final quote. Understanding these helps you plan your budget and make the right choice for your situation.
Duration
Longer investigations require more operative hours. A single surveillance session costs less than a multi-week inquiry. We quote per phase so you stay in control.
Location
Travel within the operational area is included. Investigations that span multiple cities or require rural coverage may carry additional travel costs, agreed in advance.
Evidence type
Standard photographic evidence is included. HD video surveillance, digital forensics, or specialist technical equipment (covert cameras, GPS tracking) may increase the cost.
Complexity
A straightforward background check is simpler than a multi-party fraud investigation. The more subjects, locations and data sources involved, the more time the case requires.
Court requirements
If your evidence needs to stand up in court, we prepare court-ready reports to CPS standards. This adds preparation time but protects your position in proceedings.
Team size
Most investigations require a single operative. Complex surveillance or counter-surveillance operations may need two or three investigators working together, which affects the daily rate.
Why clients choose UKPI
Choosing a private investigator based on price alone is a mistake. The cheapest option often delivers unusable evidence or no results at all. Here is what sets us apart.
All operatives hold professional accreditation. Full professional indemnity and public liability insurance on every case.
Every report is prepared to a standard that can be submitted in court. Our evidence has supported proceedings in family, civil and criminal cases.
Your case details are protected under our data protection policies and professional code of conduct. We never share information without your written consent.
Founded in 1997, UKPI has completed over 10,000 investigations across the UK. We know what works because we have seen every type of case.
"UKPI were straightforward about costs from the start. The quote was fixed, the work was thorough, and the report helped us resolve the matter quickly."
Corporate client, Manchester
If the scope of your investigation changes, we discuss it with you first. You approve any additional costs before we proceed. No exceptions.
Service comparison
| Service | Starting price | Typical duration | Evidence type | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| People Tracing | £120 | 24-72 hours | Written report | Quote |
| Legal Support | £150 | 1-4 weeks | Court-ready report | Quote |
| Background Checks | £195 | 24 hours to 5 working days | Verification report | Quote |
| Relationship Investigations | From £295 | 1-2 weeks | Photo, video, report | Quote |
| Surveillance | From £295 | 1+ days | HD video, photos, log | Quote |
| Fraud Investigations | £595 | 2-6 weeks | Forensic report | Quote |
| Corporate Investigations | £695 | 2-8 weeks | Board-level report | Quote |
Frequently asked questions about investigation costs
Costs depend on the type of investigation. People tracing starts from just £120 per trace, and bulk orders of ten or more traces are £25 each. Surveillance is charged at £295 per operative per day, with a discounted daily rate when three or more days are instructed. Background checks start from £195. We provide a fixed quote before any work begins, so you always know the total cost upfront.
Yes, we ask for a 50% deposit on surveillance work (depending on the number of days booked) before work starts. The remaining balance is due on completion. This protects both parties and confirms your commitment to the investigation. Surveillance is charged at £295 per operative per day.
No. The price we quote is the price you pay. If the scope of an investigation changes during the process, we discuss it with you first and agree any additional costs before proceeding.
We accept bank transfer, all major credit and debit cards, and PayPal. For corporate clients, we can arrange invoicing with NET 30 terms on approved accounts.
Yes. We work within your budget and prioritise the most productive lines of inquiry. If we believe the budget will not achieve your objectives, we tell you honestly before starting.
For larger investigations, we can structure payments across phases. Each phase has a clear deliverable, so you see results before committing to the next stage.
Yes. Your first conversation with us is completely free and confidential. We assess your situation, explain your options, and provide an honest estimate. There is no obligation to proceed.
In urgent cases, we can deploy an investigator within 24 hours of receiving your deposit. Standard investigations typically begin within 2-3 working days.
Get your free, no-obligation quote
Tell us about your situation and we will provide a fixed-price quote. Your enquiry is completely confidential.
Ready to get a quote?
Your first conversation with us is free and completely confidential. We assess your situation, explain your options, and tell you honestly what the investigation will cost. No obligation, no pressure, no sales pitch.
Lines open Monday to Saturday, 8am to 10pm. Urgent cases accepted 24/7.