“Can you give me a rough estimate?” or “What is the hourly rate for surveillance?” These are among the first questions most people ask us, just before revealing a sensitive detail or a volatile situation. A professional answer is less simple. It depends on the tools required, the number of investigators involved, the objective, and the exact service requested. Unlike a utility bill, the cost of a private investigator is not capped at one uniform rate by law. It is shaped by logistical complexity, legal risk, the length of the process, and the scope of the evidentiary report.
To save you the guesswork, this guide provides estimated price ranges for physical surveillance, matrimonial and infidelity investigations, financial investigations, undercover and elicitation work, and nonfinancial background and identity investigations.
All prices are shown before VAT unless stated otherwise and were accurate when this guide was published in August 2025.
1. Personal surveillance and matrimonial investigations—the basis of most fieldwork
Matrimonial investigations and personal surveillance often, though not always, involve infidelity, custody, or suspected breaches of trust. Pricing has several components.
1.1 What does a “full surveillance” package include?
Two private investigators, each in a separate vehicle, maintain two observation angles and reduce the risk of losing contact.
Visible and concealed HD photographic equipment, including vehicle and pocket cameras, is included without an additional equipment fee.
Continuous written and video documentation includes a legally useful date-and-time record.
1.2 Transparent pricing
Component
Amount before VAT
Operational note
Hourly rate
₪500
Counted from the agreed starting time and location until the surveillance actually ends.
Mileage rate
₪8 per kilometer
Calculated from the vehicle’s departure from the company lot until its return and supported by a GPS report.
Example: three hours of surveillance and 40 kilometers in total
₪500 × 3 = ₪1,500
₪8 × 40 = ₪320
Total: ₪1,820 before VAT.
1.3 Why not use only one investigator?
Urban traffic requires investigators to alternate positions to reduce the risk of detection.
A traffic accident, flat tire, or road blockage can end surveillance when only one vehicle is used.
A court may give greater weight to evidence observed and documented independently by two professionals.
2. Financial investigations—understanding the true financial picture
The purpose of a financial investigation and asset search is to reveal the real financial position of a person or company, far beyond formal reports and declarations. Public information often presents only part of the picture. Hidden assets, concealed liabilities, and unreported transactions may fundamentally alter the financial balance. Through in-depth checks and varied lawful sources, the investigation identifies missing details and provides a fuller, more accurate understanding.
Type of check
Starting price
Maximum estimate
When is it used?
Basic company/identity check
₪8,000
—
A financial-strength check before an initial engagement.
In-depth investigation
₪10,000
₪20,000
Locating concealed assets, foreign accounts, and sham transactions.
Pricing ranges from a basic search—such as real estate and open enforcement files—to more extensive lawful checks involving corporate structures in Israel and abroad and cross-referencing commercial intelligence databases.
Money-saving note: If your goal is only to understand whether debts exist, the basic package may be enough. In a divorce dispute involving support, or before purchasing more than 20% of a company, a full investigation may be critical.
3. Undercover and elicitation investigations—when information must come from the subject
Want to uncover information that does not appear on the surface?
Our undercover investigation connects naturally with the right people, listens between the lines, and discreetly brings important details to light.
This gives you a reliable, clear picture before moving to the next stage.
3.1 Strategy stage
Starting cost: ₪5,750
Psychological and behavioral analysis of the subject
Development of a cover story
Preparing questions, answers, and the meeting plan
3.2 Follow-up meetings
Each additional meeting is charged at 50% of the first meeting’s price—approximately ₪2,875.
3.3 Typical range
A typical elicitation investigation includes one preparation meeting and two field meetings, for a total of approximately ₪11,500. Complex cases involving several subjects, overseas travel, or a foreign language may reach ₪30,000–₪40,000.
4. Nonfinancial undercover investigation—“Who is the person in front of me?”
This service examines identity, criminal background, and social connections without investigating assets. The price depends entirely on the strategy and the difficulty of obtaining the information, so it is provided in an individual proposal.
How to read a proposal without getting lost
Make sure the hours are itemized. Is travel time included or charged separately?
Ask for a mileage estimate. A deviation of approximately 10% may be reasonable; anything beyond that should require your approval.
VAT should appear as a separate line, supporting transparency and compliance.
Possible future additions—special equipment, a hotel, or another investigator—should be written in the proposal rather than agreed only verbally.
Summary
The cost of a private investigator is not based on a fixed formula. It varies according to the required service, complexity, number of investigators, and other operational factors.
A proposal that appears unusually cheap may ultimately be expensive if evidence was obtained unlawfully, is inadmissible in court, or is delivered in an incomplete report that causes harm.
LA Special Investigations & Surveillance is committed to full transparency: every item, expense, and VAT charge appears before you sign.
Need an accurate estimate? The first consultation is free of charge. With a defined objective, a detailed proposal, and a process carried out properly, reliable information will always cost less than a serious mistake.
