• Covers initial expenses: Investigations can require immediate out-of-pocket costs for the PI. The upfront payment is used to cover expenses such as database access fees, travel costs, specialized equipment, and other initial outlays.
• Guarantees payment for services rendered: Unlike many professions, a PI's work product might not always deliver the "good news" the client expects. A smart investigator secures payment beforehand to ensure they are compensated for their time and effort, even if the client is unhappy with the outcome.
• Secures the investigator's commitment: The retainer ensures that the client is serious about the engagement and secures the investigator's commitment to the case. It prevents clients from wasting the investigator's time if they are not truly committed to moving forward.
• Creates financial stability: For independent investigators and small agencies, retainers create a stable and predictable cash flow. This allows them to focus on the investigation at hand rather than constantly chasing payments or soliciting new work. 

• Establishes a serious business relationship: The act of paying a retainer turns a conversation into a formal business relationship. It shows that the client is serious and ready to engage in a contractual agreement for services.
• Allows for immediate action: Many investigations, such as surveillance, require a PI to act quickly. The upfront payment allows the investigator to begin work immediately, without delays for billing or payment processing.
• Prevents "shopping around": An upfront retainer helps to filter out individuals who are only fishing for information with no intention of hiring a professional. It separates serious clients from those who are not. 

• Deducted as services are performed: As the investigation proceeds, the investigator's fees and expenses are deducted from the retainer. The client receives an itemized statement showing how the funds were used.
• Replenished if depleted: If a case requires more time than initially estimated and the retainer is used up, the client is typically required to replenish it to continue the investigation.
• Refundable if unused: Any portion of the retainer that remains at the conclusion of the case is usually refunded to the client. 

A professional investigative service, such as ISS Investigations, cannot be held liable for reports generated by professional search engines.

• Search engines and investigators are distinct entities. 
Search engines like Google operate on a fundamentally different legal and technical basis than a private investigative service. A search engine aggregates information from countless third-party sources, while an investigator is hired for a specific purpose by a client.

• Accuracy and reliability: 
While a professional investigative service conducts meticulous research, they do not have control over the content or accuracy of third-party websites or the search engine's algorithms. An investigator's report will rely on legally and ethically obtained information, often using a combination of online and offline methods.

• Liability protection: 
The search results found on a professional search engine are the sole responsibility of that engine and the sources they index. A private investigation firm would include this type of clause in their terms and conditions to protect themselves from legal responsibility for information they did not originate.

• "As is" information:
Many legal disclaimers state that information is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis, without warranties. This applies to both the search engine and the third-party websites it links to, further limiting liability.

• Independent verification: 
Any information obtained from a search engine should be independently verified before being acted upon. A professional investigative service performs this verification as part of their service to their clients. 

Cost Factors Discussed

Today we will discuss the typical cost and rates involved when making use of Investigation Services or using the services of a Effective Private Investigator and Detective Agency.
 
The are many factors and planning that goes into our Private Investigation services to conduct effective Private Investigations. Lets say you have an urgent matter to Investigate but you are unsure and may be wondering what the cost will be to conduct the Private Investigation. In South Africa, Private Investigator rates vary by location and the type of services they specialize in.
 
Private Investigators and Detectives with extensive experience and training, expect to pay a higher rate. Many Private Investigators offer a free initial consultation. Use this to discuss your case. Note that some will demand a consultation fee and some may need a retainer before they even meet with you.
 
There are many Private Investigators who will quote you a flat rates for certain basic services such as Surveillance, background checks, identifying a cell phone number, criminal record search and vehicle registration searches.
 
In South Africa you can be sure that the Private Investigators will charge you an hourly rate and the rate may vary based on where the private investigator is located, the difficulty of the investigation, and whether the private investigator will need the help of other private investigators.
 
Throughout the country, i have seen fees range from approximately R550.00 to R1500.00 per hour. There are also extra fees attached to the hourly rate. Example of addition is fuel expenses, usually around R4.00 per km's and parking fees R16.00 per hour in the city.
 
If your mandate requires the help of another private investigator's services the hourly rate may increase . Be prepared as many private investigators need a retainer or deposit to be paid upfront for services.
 
Retainer or deposit fees is are dependent on the type of service. For example, murder investigations may need a deposit of R35000.00 while an infidelity case may need a deposit of up to R15000.00. Criminal defense work may need a retainer of  R50000.00

Typical Rates and Service Can Include
• Travelling 
• Car Rental
• Airline cost
• Hotel cost
• Hours required for surveillance
• Location
• Urgency

Effective Investigation Services
Have you decided on a Professional Private Investigator to work your case? Talk to us so that we can discus the cost and rates of your Investigation. During our service the private investigator will keep a record of his/her activities. On completion of the task the Private Investigator will hand over your Investigative Report containing all the work and information.