What It Costs to Hire a Private Investigator
Ontario surveillance is billed by the hour, per investigator, plus mileage, not a flat rate. Here is the short version of what drives the number, and where to read the full breakdown.
How we bill
Field surveillance is billed hourly, per investigator, plus mileage and travel, itemized so you can see exactly where the hours and kilometres went. Assignments with a predictable scope, a single locate, a records-based check, a service of documents, can be quoted flat or on a retainer instead.
Nobody can promise a firm flat price for open-ended surveillance and mean it. Hourly billing with itemized invoicing is the transparent way to do it, and it is how we do it.
What drives the number
Surveillance hours are the single largest factor: more time in the field means more billable time. The number of investigators matters too, since mobile surveillance often needs two to keep the subject covered without being noticed, while static observation of one location can often be handled by one.
Travel and mileage are billed, not absorbed. Ontario is 1.076 million square kilometres, and distance covered is a real cost. Reporting and equipment, including a court-ready report and specialized gear such as night-vision or long-range equipment, are part of the deliverable, not a markup.
Why a very cheap quote is a red flag
A quote well below market usually means one of three things: the operator is unlicensed, they are cutting the corners that make evidence admissible, or they will pad the hours later. In Ontario, investigators and agencies must be licensed by the Private Security and Investigative Services Branch.
Cheap, inadmissible surveillance is the most expensive surveillance there is, because you pay for footage a court will not accept, then pay again to do it properly.
Get a real number
Every case starts with a free consultation. We ask what you need documented, give you an honest read on scope, and quote a range before anything begins. No hard, precise price sight unseen, and no surprises on the invoice.
For the full breakdown, including why two investigators are sometimes needed and exactly what a court-ready evidence package contains, read our complete guide to private investigator pricing in Ontario.
Related reading
- How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Private Investigator in Ontario? The full breakdown: billing structures, cost drivers, and why the cheapest quote usually costs you more.
- What to Expect During a Surveillance Investigation Intake, planning, what can be captured, and your court-ready report, start to finish.
- Covert Surveillance services Covert surveillance by licensed Ontario private investigators: timestamped video, detailed logs and court-ready reporting.
End of brief
Get a scoped, honest estimate.
Every case starts with a free, confidential consultation and a written scope before any work begins.