The Real Cost of a Private Investigator in Sarasota: Why $50 is a Red Flag

In the private investigation industry, there is a dangerous "floor" when it comes to pricing. In Sarasota, we see it all the time: advertisements for "$0 down to start," "$50/hour surveillance," or "$50 background checks."

To someone looking for help, these appear to be "early bird specials" on Main Street—a great deal for showing up early. But in this business, those numbers are a massive red flag. These offers are designed to mislead clients, hide a lack of experience, or mask "nickel and dime" billing tactics that cost you more in the long run.

1. The "$0 Down" Bait-and-Switch

Any company offering "$0 down" is likely a national marketing firm or a "detective farm," not a local investigator.

• The Catch: This is a "hook" to capture your contact information and lock you into a contract. You will soon find that "starting" for $0 doesn't mean "working" for $0.

• The Reality: A professional, local PI has immediate overhead—licensing, insurance, vehicle cost, office rent, and high-level database fees.

  
  

  A legitimate agency requires a retainer because it ensures they can dedicate the necessary resources to your case from minute one. If they don't value their own time enough to ask for a retainer, they likely won't value your results.

2. The "$50 Background Check" is Just a Data Dump

If you are paying $50 for a background check, you aren't hiring a detective; you’re buying a stale internet PDF from a computer.

• The Math: A real, comprehensive check in Florida involves pulling records from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), which charges a $24 fee. When you add the cost of professional PI databases (like TLOxp or CLEAR), the investigator has already spent nearly $40 before they even look at the results.

• What’s Missing: At $50, no one is manually checking the Sarasota County Clerk of Courts for recent filings. You are getting a "push-button" report that is often 2 - 5 years out of date. If you’re hiring an employee, subcontractor, or vetting a partner, missing one record can cost you thousands in future liability.

3. The "$50/Hour" Surveillance & Hidden Fees

Surveillance is the most demanding service an agency provides. When you see a $50/hour rate, one of two things is happening:

• The "Nickel and Dime" Strategy: They lure you in with a low hourly rate but then bill you for "extras" that should be included:

  • Mileage at inflated rates ($0.80+ per mile).

  • Admin Fees for "opening the file" or "processing evidence."

  • Report Writing: Charging you $200 just to write down what they did.

• The "Ghost" Subcontractor: National firms often take your $50/hour and "farm" the work to a local freelancer for $25/hour. This person is often brand new, has no law enforcement experience, and is incentivized to do the bare minimum because they aren't being paid enough to cover their gas.

4. The Price of Experience

Sarasota has many "hobbyists" or retired PIs, but there is a world of difference between a "guy with a camera" and a Detective with Law Enforcement experience.

A skilled investigator with a law enforcement background typically charges $150 to $250 per hour. Why? Because you’re not paying for “time.” You’re paying for decades of experience—the kind that produces results, and creates documentation that holds up when it matters.

A friend of mine from high school, Maggie, has been a photographer for about 25 years—about as long as I’ve been in law enforcement and investigations. One day, a customer challenged her: “Why are you charging twice as much as another photographer? You spent only a quarter of the time with us.”

Maggie’s response was spot on:

“You’re paying for experience. I’ve become skilled enough to deliver higher quality in a fraction of the time. What you’re paying for is the years it took me to get that good.”

Private investigations work the same way. The best investigators don’t just “show up and watch.” They know how to plan the job, anticipate movement, stay discreet, document properly, and capture what actually proves your case—without tipping off the subject or wasting billable hours.

In other words: expertise doesn’t just cost more—it often saves you money, because the work is done correctly the first time.

The Professional Advantage: A former Law Enforcement officer knows how to conduct surveillance that stays "covert." If an amateur gets "burned" (caught) on day one because they didn't know how to blend into a Sarasota neighborhood, your investigation is over. The subject will be on high alert for months, and your "bargain" just ruined your only shot at the truth.

Courtroom Ready: If your case goes to a judge, a $50/hour hobbyist will be torn apart on the stand. A veteran detective provides a bulletproof report and testimony that carries weight with the court.

The Detective Brooks Standard: Why We Don’t Accept Every Case

At Detective Brooks, we aren't a "volume" agency. We aren't a national firm looking to pad our stats with every phone call that comes in. Because of our law enforcement pedigree and the level of intensity we bring to our work, we are highly selective about the cases we accept.

Here is the reality that the "$50-an-hour" guys won't tell you:

• We Vet Our Clients as Much as They Vet Us: We only work with individuals and businesses who are serious about finding the truth and understand the value of legal, admissible evidence. If someone is looking for a "shortcut," a "quick fix," or wants us to skirt the law, we aren't the agency for them.

• Ethics Over Ego: If, after our initial consultation, we believe your goals are unrealistic or that an investigation won't actually solve your problem, we will tell you upfront. We would rather turn down a case than take your money for a result we can’t deliver.

• Quality Over Quantity: Because Detective Chris Brooks works directly on your case—without the use of "middlemen" or low-level subcontractors—we limit the number of active investigations we handle at any given time. This ensures that every client gets the full benefit of our Law Enforcement experience and strategic focus.

We aren't the cheapest in Sarasota, and we aren't for everyone. But for those who need the absolute truth and a detective who can handle the pressure of a courtroom, we are the only choice.

Our Rates