Investigation Hotline provides transparent private investigator pricing across Toronto, the GTA, and Ontario. Related reading: why the cheapest PI is not always best, what private investigators do, and how to hire a private investigator in Ontario.
We’re here to serve you, so don’t shy away from telling us your budget.
All our cases are unique, which means our private investigator rates vary. At Investigation Hotline, we strive to work within your budget and deliver only the relevant, helpful facts that you need.
No hidden fees. No surprises.
Too many investigation agencies lure clients in with low rates, then hit them with unexpected charges for mileage, report writing, surveillance equipment, administrative fees, and countless other “extras.” These switch-and-bait tactics are rampant in our industry, and frankly, they’re dishonest.
We’re different. When we quote you a price, that’s what you pay. Period. No fine print, no surprise invoices, no nickel-and-diming you for basic services that should be included from the start. We will be with you every step of the way until the completion of your case.
Below are some of our indicative rates for our private investigation services throughout Ontario. Exact pricing may vary depending on the individual case, but we will always clarify all costs before proceeding with the work. Please contact us for more details of our private investigator rates.
What Determines Your Investigation Cost
Every investigation is different, which is why we don’t publish a single definite price list. The cost of your case depends on several factors, and understanding them upfront helps you know what to expect before you commit to anything.
Case complexity is the biggest factor. A straightforward background check takes far less time than a multi-location surveillance case or a digital forensics investigation involving several devices. Surveillance hours matter too, since some cases resolve in a single day while others require observation across several days or weeks to gather conclusive evidence. Number of investigators assigned can also affect cost, as certain cases (particularly high-risk or multi-subject cases) require more than one investigator working simultaneously. Location and travel play a role as well, since cases outside the immediate GTA may involve additional travel time. Finally, urgency matters: cases that need to start immediately or run on a compressed timeline can carry different pricing than cases with more flexibility.
We take all of this into account before quoting you, so the price you receive reflects your specific case rather than a generic rate that doesn’t match what the work actually involves.
How We Quote Your Case
Getting an accurate quote starts with a confidential consultation, where we ask about your situation, your objectives, and what you already know. From there, we assess the scope of work required and provide a written quote before any investigation begins.
We don’t start work on assumptions, and we don’t revise pricing partway through a case without discussing it with you first. If circumstances change and the scope of the investigation needs to expand, we’ll explain why and get your agreement before proceeding. This is what “no hidden fees” means in practice: you know the cost before we begin, and you’re not left guessing what the final invoice will look like.
Retainer & Payment Structure
Most investigations begin with a retainer, which covers the estimated hours or scope agreed upon during your consultation. This retainer is applied directly to the work performed on your case.
If a case concludes before the full retainer is used, we account for the difference with you directly rather than treating it as a flat fee regardless of hours worked. If a case requires more time than initially estimated, we’ll discuss this with you and get approval before continuing, rather than surprising you with additional charges after the fact.
Free vs. Paid Consultation
Your initial consultation with us is free and confidential. There’s no cost or obligation to discuss your situation, ask questions, or get a sense of how we’d approach your case. Pricing only comes into play once we understand what you need and can provide an accurate quote for the specific work involved.
How to Get an Accurate Quote
The more information you can share during your consultation, the faster and more precise your quote will be. It helps to have the following ready when you contact us:
- The general timeline or urgency of your case
- The location(s) involved
- What you already know or suspect
- What outcome or evidence you’re hoping to obtain
You don’t need to have everything figured out before you call. Part of our process is helping you clarify the objective of the investigation so we can scope the work accurately from the start.
Hourly vs. Flat-Fee Pricing
You’ll notice some of our services are priced hourly and others are quoted as a range. This isn’t arbitrary. Surveillance and forensic work are billed hourly because the time required genuinely varies case by case; a subject may be easy to observe on day one or may require several additional days depending on their behaviour and schedule. Services like financial and asset identification or background checks are quoted within a defined range because the scope of work, while still case-dependent, is more predictable once we understand what you’re looking for.
Whichever structure applies to your case, you’ll know which one you’re working with, and what it means for your final cost, before we begin.
