The cost of a private investigator in Florida depends mainly on the type of work, the hours in the field, travel and how fast you need results. Surveillance is usually billed by the hour plus expenses, while defined tasks like a records search or a single locate are often quoted as a flat or capped fee.
By Alexander Maynfeld, Director of Investigations, MAYN Investigations (Florida Class “A” agency license A3400126). Updated October 29, 2026.
What drives what a Florida private investigator costs?
Five things set most of the price: the type of investigation, the number of hours, the number of investigators, travel and expenses, and the deadline.
A clear goal keeps cost down. “Find out if he is working while on disability leave” is easier to price than “find out everything about him.”
Location matters too. Work near Orlando, Tampa or Jacksonville often needs less travel than a rural county several hours away.
How do surveillance costs work in Florida?
Surveillance is the most common hourly service. You pay for time in the field, plus time spent writing the report and preparing video.
Most surveillance runs in blocks of several hours, because people do not keep a set schedule. One short block rarely captures what you need.
Two investigators cost more per hour than one. They are sometimes needed to follow a vehicle safely or watch two exits.
Read more about our surveillance investigations and when multi-day surveillance makes sense.
Does short notice raise the price?
Yes, in many cases. Field work that must start within a day or two forces schedule changes, so agencies often charge a higher rush rate.
Planning even a few days ahead gives the investigator time to research the subject and pick the best days to watch. That usually saves hours.
What does a background check or records search cost?
Records work is usually cheaper than field work. It is mostly done at a desk, using court records, property records, corporate filings and licensed databases.
The price rises when records must be pulled in person from a courthouse, or when the subject has lived in many states.
See our background checks and database records service and our asset searches for attorneys.
What does it cost to locate a person or a witness?
Locates are often priced per task. A simple locate with a recent address may take little time. A person who has moved often, uses other names or avoids contact takes longer.
Many locate jobs combine records research with a field check to confirm the person really lives at the address.
What extra expenses should I expect?
- Mileage and travel time for field work outside the local area.
- Tolls, parking and, for long trips, lodging.
- Court and public records copy fees.
- Database fees for certain specialized searches.
- Time to prepare for and attend a deposition or trial, if you need the investigator to testify.
Ask for these to be listed in writing before you sign. A good quote has no surprises.
How can I keep the cost of an investigation under control?
Start with records research, then decide whether field work is needed. Phased work often answers the question before expensive surveillance begins.
Share everything you already know: photos, vehicles, addresses, work schedules and social media accounts. Every fact you give saves search time.
Agree a budget cap and regular updates. Our guide to budgeting an investigation in phases shows how attorneys do this.
Why should I check the license before comparing prices?
In Florida, private investigation is regulated under Chapter 493 of the Florida Statutes and licensed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS).
A low price from an unlicensed investigator can cost you more later if the evidence is challenged. See our guide on how to verify a Florida private investigator license.
What should a written quote include?
- The goal of the investigation in one or two sentences.
- The hourly or flat rate and the number of investigators.
- How expenses and travel are billed.
- A budget cap or the hours approved for the first phase.
- What the final report will include, such as photos, video and a timeline.
- The agency name and Florida license number.
Is hiring a private investigator worth the cost?
It is worth it when the facts change a decision: a custody plan, a settlement figure, whether to file suit or whether a judgment can be collected.
It is rarely worth it when the answer would not change what you do. A good investigator will tell you that up front.
For law firms, see our attorney investigative services. For families, see family law investigations.
How much does a private investigator cost for a family law case?
Family cases usually mix records work and surveillance. A custody case may need several surveillance blocks on the days a parent has the children.
An alimony or cohabitation case often needs surveillance over several weeks to show a pattern. That takes more hours than a one-time check.
Your attorney can help decide which facts matter most, so the budget goes to the evidence the judge will care about.
How much does a private investigator cost for a business case?
Business cases often start with records: corporate filings, property, liens, lawsuits and licenses. These can answer questions about vendors, former employees or hidden assets.
Field work is added when you need to confirm that a business really operates at an address, or that a former employee is working for a competitor.
See our business litigation investigations for examples of how this work is scoped.
What should I not pay for?
Do not pay for methods that are illegal in Florida, such as recording private conversations without consent, getting phone or bank records by pretext, or hacking accounts. Those results can be thrown out and can expose you to liability.
Do not pay for “unlimited” packages with no written scope. You should always know what you are buying.
How fast can a Florida investigator start?
Records work can often begin the same day. Surveillance depends on the subject’s schedule and the investigator’s availability.
The more notice you give, the better the plan and usually the lower the total cost.
We work statewide from Central Florida, including Orlando, Tampa and Jacksonville. See every city and county we cover on our Florida service areas page.
Frequently asked questions
Do Florida private investigators charge by the hour?
Most do. Surveillance and field work are usually billed hourly, often with mileage and other expenses on top. Some defined tasks, such as a single locate, may be quoted as a flat fee.
Why does surveillance cost more than a records search?
Surveillance needs one or more investigators in the field for hours at a time, plus travel, equipment and report time. A records search is usually desk work with a clear end point.
Does short notice raise the price?
It can. Many agencies, including ours, charge a higher rush rate when field work must start on short notice, because schedules have to be rearranged.
Can I set a budget cap?
Yes. A good investigator will agree a cap or a phased plan in writing and check in before going over it.
Is a cheaper investigator a better deal?
Not always. An unlicensed or inexperienced investigator can produce evidence that is hard to use in court. Check the Florida license first and compare what each quote actually includes.
How do I get a quote from MAYN Investigations?
Call (321) 340-3280 with the goal, the subject, the location and your deadline. Rates are discussed by phone and confirmed in writing before work starts.
Get a clear quote for your Florida investigation
Call (321) 340-3280 to talk to a licensed investigator. We answer 24/7, and you can also send a case request.
MAYN Investigations is a licensed and insured Florida private investigation agency working statewide. Follow us on Instagram at @mayninvestigations, and browse more investigation insights.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Questions about admissibility, discovery and case strategy belong to your attorney.
