PRICE GUIDE · BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL · 2026–2027
Private Investigator cost in the UK
£45–£120 per hour. Typically £70.
A private investigator costs £45–£120 per hour in the UK, with about £70 the average. Desk-based tracing and background checks sit at the cheaper end; surveillance with several operatives, out-of-hours work and travel cost the most, plus expenses.
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HOW MUCH IT COSTS
How much does a private investigator cost in the UK?
| Low end | £45 | desk-based tracing or background checks |
|---|---|---|
| Typical | £70 | what most people pay |
| High end | £120 | surveillance with several investigators out of hours |
Locufy guide prices for 2026–2027. Updated 2026. A national range, not a quote — enter your town above for real prices from the accountants, solicitors and professional firms near you.
What moves the price
- Type of investigation — desk research and tracing cost less per hour than surveillance
- Number of investigators — surveillance often needs two or more investigators at once
- Hours and timing — evenings, weekends and long stake-outs add to the investigation bill
- Travel and expenses — mileage, accommodation and investigation equipment are charged on top
- Experience — former police or specialist investigators charge more
- Reports and evidence — detailed reports, photos and video for court take extra time
Professional services prices in the UK are up 12% over five years (ONS Consumer Price Inflation, Other services n.e.c., to 2026 August). Five years ago a typical private investigator would have cost about £60 — an estimate from today's guide price and that index, not a recorded price. Source: ONS MM23 D7FR →
WHAT YOU GET
What a private investigator visit includes
Takes: A few hours for desk research; days or weeks for surveillance. Not included: Legal advice, court representation and process serving are priced separately — see the related guides below.
WHAT PEOPLE BOOK
Common private investigator jobs
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Private Investigator near you, with prices shown
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Or post the job free and let them come to you, or book by the hour.
How to pay less
- Give the private investigator as much starting information as possible to cut search time
- Ask for a fixed price for tracing and background checks
- Set a budget cap for surveillance hours before the investigation starts
Before you book
- Check the private investigator follows data protection law and handles any personal data lawfully
- Ask about their experience, insurance and membership of a professional association
- Agree what the investigator will and will not do, and get it in writing
- Check how expenses and extra investigator hours will be charged
Private Investigator cost: questions people ask
£45–£120 per hour, with about £70 the average. Desk-based tracing costs the least; surveillance with several investigators out of hours costs the most.
Desk research can take a few hours. Surveillance can run for days or weeks, depending on the case.
There is no licensing scheme for private investigators in the UK at present, so check experience, insurance and how they handle personal data under data protection law.
It can, if it was gathered lawfully. A good investigator will keep records and write reports with that in mind.
Mileage, accommodation, equipment and legal advice are usually extra. Ask for an estimate of expenses before the work starts.
They are Locufy guide prices for the UK, based on published UK private investigator price guides and careers data. They form a national range, not a quote.
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